AC Seminar: Donna Blackmond
Discover how modern reaction monitoring is transforming the way chemists uncover reaction mechanisms and optimize pharmaceutical processes—faster, with fewer experiments, and less computational complexity. Donna's AC seminar will explore how Reaction Progress Kinetic Analysis (RPKA) and Temperature-Scanning Reactions (TSR) deliver powerful insights from a single experiment, opening new possibilities for studying both simple and highly complex catalytic systems.
Abstract: Advanced lithium batteries require electrolytes that enable efficient ion transport, stable interfaces, and long cycle life. In this talk, Jongwoo Lim will present data-driven approaches to electrolyte discovery and battery lifetime prediction. He first established physics-informed molecular descriptors that capture key solvation, coordination, and compatibility requirements for liquid electrolytes. By integrating these descriptors with DFT calculations and uncertainty-aware machine learning, we screened large chemical spaces and experimentally identified new electrolyte components. He is now extending this framework through a self-driving laboratory that autonomously formulates, evaluates, and learns from electrolyte candidates.
In parallel, he develops machine-learning models that predict long-term battery performance from early-cycle electrochemical data. By identifying degradation signatures before substantial capacity loss occurs, these models shorten the time required to assess electrolyte formulations. Integrating molecular screening, autonomous experimentation, and early lifetime prediction provides a closed-loop strategy for accelerating electrolyte development for lithium batteries.
Bio: Jongwoo Lim is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Seoul National University, where he joined the faculty in 2017. His research focuses on rechargeable batteries, green hydrogen production, and electrochemical CO₂ conversion. He earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 2013under Peidong Yang and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University with Willia Chueh. His honors include the Presidential Young Scientist Award of Korea, the Zasshikai Lectureship Award, the Su-Moon Park Award, the KCS–Wiley Young Chemist Award, and election to the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (Y-KAST), among others. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of Materials Chemistry Frontiers (RSC)
About the AC Seminar Series
The Acceleration Consortium (AC) seminar series explores perspectives on the future of AI for science, presents cutting-edge research findings, enables collaborations, and offers training and upskilling opportunities. Presented both in-person and online, these seminars will host a diverse set of speakers on topics related to accelerated discovery across three tracks:
AC Distinguished Seminars: Leaders in the autonomous discovery community will share their findings and perspectives that are helping to shape future directions and address key challenges. These will be delivered in a hybrid format at the University of Toronto.
AC Early Career Seminars: Early career researchers will present results from their latest publications, taking a technical dive into findings, methods, and tools. These will be delivered in a hybrid format at the University of Toronto.
AC Virtual Training Seminars: Instructors will provide standalone introduction lectures and hands-on tutorials on topics related to self-driving labs with an emphasis on principles, literacy, and skills. These will be delivered virtually.
Do you have a suggestion for a talk? We welcome your ideas for potential speakers from diverse career stages and backgrounds.