Orbital Materials, a startup leveraging AI technology to discover new materials, is making waves in the world of manufacturing. Founded by former DeepMind senior researcher Jonathan Godwin, the company is at the forefront of developing GenAI tech for creating innovative physical materials, from batteries to carbon dioxide-capturing cells.
The inspiration behind Orbital Materials stemmed from the success of AI systems like AlphaFold in predicting protein structures, showcasing the potential of applying similar techniques to material sciences. Traditional methods of material discovery have been cumbersome and time-consuming, often relying on trial-and-error processes that can take years to yield results. By combining AI expertise with materials science knowledge, Orbital Materials aims to bridge the gap between virtual simulations and real-world applications.
Crafting new materials is a complex process that requires identifying precise physical and chemical properties, as well as testing under various conditions to ensure functionality. AI plays a crucial role in expediting this process by mapping out potential properties and processes through computational algorithms. While AI cannot replace physical experimentation entirely, it can significantly accelerate the material design workflow and reduce costs.
Orbital Materials sets itself apart with its proprietary AI model, Linus, which serves as the backbone of the company’s research and development efforts. Scientists can input natural language instructions, and Linus generates 3D molecular structures that align with the desired criteria, refining them iteratively for optimal results. Despite some limitations, such as occasional generation of physically impossible materials, Linus has successfully produced practical solutions like a cost-effective carbon dioxide filter.
With recent funding of $16 million in a Series A round led by Radical Ventures and Toyota Ventures, Orbital Materials is poised to expand its data science and wet lab teams. The ultimate goal is to bring new materials to the proof-of-concept stage and collaborate with external manufacturers for commercialization. As the demand for advanced materials continues to grow with the transition to electrified and de-carbonized economies, Orbital Materials’ innovative approach to material discovery holds promise for revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.
