Robot with AI brain learns to evolve synthetic protocells

Artificial intelligence concept -3D illustration

Evolution of oil-in-water system guided by machine learning offers insight into origins of life

An AI robotic system that enables synthetic protocells to evolve could help unravel how complex life formed on Earth. The fully automated system, which make use of machine learning, could aid understanding of other complex chemical systems too. Oil-in-water droplets are often used as protocell models because, while chemically simple, they can exhibit complex and cell-like behaviours, such as movement and division. However, in order to work out how specific droplet properties – including viscosity, density and surface tension – result in different behaviours, droplet formulations must be varied. The problem is that the permutations are vast, even for droplets with just four ingredients.

To continue reading this article

You need to sign in or choose one of these options

Subscribe

£36 annual | Pay monthly | Pass
Subscribers get unlimited access to Chemistry World. No more paywalls. Plus your subscription will help fund the charitable work of the Royal Society of Chemistry, supporting chemists worldwide.

Register

Free
You'll be able to read more articles each month before you see another paywall. Perfect if you're a light user or want to read more before deciding to subscribe. It takes less than a minute and it's completely free.

Membership

Included as benefit
Members of the Royal Society of Chemistry have unlimited access to Chemistry World as a benefit of membership. Just sign in with your usual membership credentials. Not a member? Find out how to join.