Computational materials research may sound complex, but it really isn’t if you are working with ExoMatter. We are here to help!
To adress some questions we get asked a lot, we compiled some FAQ below.
Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
What is computational materials development?
Computational materials development (or materials design, materials informatics) uses a data-driven approach to select materials based on their properties. Instead of running hundreds of experiments in the lab, we can nowadays just run them in the computer. This proven method is much more efficient than traditional materials development, which is often at least in parts based on trial and error.
Despite the great opportunities of computational materials science, any calculations are only as good as the models used to run them. Therefore, computational materials development cannot replace experiments and expert knowledge, but supplements them.
Ideally, every materials research project should start with computational materials research to narrow down the choice of materials, and then focus on further investigating the remaining materials through experimental methods.
Interpreting computational data correctly and knowing what to do with it is at least as important as the science behind the calculations. This is where ExoMatter helps.
Who are you?
We are ExoMatter. Our product is based on years of research as at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and launched as spin-off of its Institute of Future Fuels.
Our founding team is united by a passion for driving value from data. Materials scientists and business experts are working together to give you the best experience.
Where do you get your data from?
Our data is compiled from publicly available and our own sources and then processed by ExoMatter to reveal a complete picture, including physical and chemical data as well as data on costs and sustainability. We sometimes do perform our own first-principles calcaultions to fill data gaps, but our focus is on gathering and mining data, and providing everything in one place. Chemical and physical data is generated through thermodynamic calculations and AI-based analyses (data generation through Machine Learning).
How does ExoMatter define “materials”?
Do you also develop composite materials?
In our current scope, a material is any chemically pure substance which is intended to be used for a specific application. Our strong suit are inorganic solids, especially ceramic oxides, semiconductors, and other crystalline compounds. As of now, we do not work on material mixtures or composite materials.
If you are interested in such materials, stay tuned for what we have in store in the future.
Do you also develop organic materials, polymers, or pharmaceuticals?
As of now, we purely focus on inorganic materials. The chemistry of molecules (in organic chemistry) and crystalline solids (in inorganic chemistry) is fundamentally different. In the future, we will include organic materials in our portfolio. Reach out to us to see what we can offer.
Are you running your own first-principles calculations, such as through DFT?
Yes, we do offer limited support for calculating new materials through own DFT calculations. Please reach out to us for an individual quotation.
How are you using AI for your materials research?
We are using external datasets partially gathered through AI methods and calculate some materials properties through Machine Learning. Our algorithms help quickly identify suitable materials for specific applications.
I am a researcher. Will you also offer your services to support academic research projects?
Yes, and academic projects are an important area of application for our technology, besides the industrial use case.
Can I work with you?
Check out our postings here.
Can I support ExoMatter as a Business Angel, Investor, or Partner?
Yes, we are happy to receive support in any form. Currently, we are raising a seed funding round to fuel further development of our materials research platform MatterMine (as of May 2022). Please reach out to us.
