Design of Recyclable Plastics with Machine Learning and Genetic Algorithm
Chureh Atasi, Joseph Kern, Rampi Ramprasad
Abstract
We present an artificial intelligence-guided approach to design durable and chemically recyclable ring-opening polymerization (ROP) class polymers. This approach employs a genetic algorithm (GA) that designs new monomers and then utilizes virtual forward synthesis (VFS) to generate almost a million ROP polymers. Machine learning models to predict thermal, thermodynamic, and mechanical properties─crucial for application-specific performance and recyclability─are used to guide the GA toward optimal polymers. We present potential substitute polymers for polystyrene (PS) that achieve all property targets with low estimated synthetic complexity.
Topics & Concepts
PolymerGenetic algorithmMonomerClass (philosophy)Computer scienceAlgorithmPolystyrenePolymerizationMaterials scienceArtificial intelligenceMachine learningComposite materialMachine Learning in Materials ScienceChemistry and Chemical Engineeringbiodegradable polymer synthesis and properties