Prof. Timothy Noel of the University of Amsterdam’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences has been awarded a Vici grant by the Dutch research council NWO. Worth 1.5 million euros, the Vici is o...

A low-cost, modular self-driving laboratory platform (RoboChem-Flex) is designed to democratize autonomous chemical experimentation. This platform combines customizable hardware with Python-based cont...

YouTube video by Marcel Müller

Self-driving laboratories (SDLs) have the potential to revolutionize chemical discovery and optimization, yet their widespread adoption remains limited by high costs, complex infrastructure, and limited accessibility. Here, we introduce RoboChem-Flex, a low-cost, modular self-driving laboratory platform designed to democratize autonomous chemical experimentation. The system combines customizable, in-house-built hardware with a flexible Python-based software framework that integrates real-time device control and advanced Bayesian optimization strategies, including multi-objective and transfer learning workflows. RoboChem-Flex supports both fully autonomous closed-loop operation and human-in-the-loop configurations, enabling seamless integration with shared analytical equipment and minimizing entry barriers. We validate the versatility of the platform across six diverse case studies, including photocatalysis, biocatalysis, thermal cross-couplings, and enantioselective catalysis, spanning both single and multi-objective optimizations. Through these campaigns, we demonstrate RoboChem-Flex’s ability to navigate large, complex chemical spaces, autonomously identify scalable high-performance reaction conditions, and flexibly adapt to a variety of analytical setups. By providing an affordable, scalable, and open platform, RoboChem-Flex offers a tangible step toward making SDLs accessible to resource-limited laboratories, fostering broader participation in automated chemical research.

Image credit: HIMS / Nature Synthesis. In a paper published in Nature Synthesis, researchers led by Professor Timothy Noël of the University of Amsterdam’s Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular...

Researchers unveil breakthrough in autonomous lab systems for synthesis optimization in Nature Synthesis. RoboChem Flex offers affordable, modular design for all labs, with

A low-cost, modular self-driving laboratory platform (RoboChem-Flex) is designed to democratize autonomous chemical experimentation. This platform combines customizable hardware with Python-based cont...

The RoboChem-Flex self-driving platform uses a slug-flow regime, enabling the sequential investigation of reaction conditions with 5–50 µmol of material per run. Leveraging the inherent scalability of flow reactors, results obtained at the microscale can be reliably translated to the millimole scale12. The platform architecture is built around a minimal, highly modular set of hardware and software components that prioritize accessibility, versatility and full customizability. Each hardware module is self-assembled using standardized, low-cost and widely available materials, such as slotted aluminium profiles, linear ball bearings and trapezoidal lead screws. Arduino Uno microcontrollers manage low-level hardware control. Their widespread use in education makes them particularly accessible to multidisciplinary researchers without specialized engineering backgrounds13. All non-standard components, which are typically expensive or difficult to source, have been designed using open-source software and fabricated via 3D printing in polyethylene terephthalate glycol plastic. In addition, custom printed circuit boards have been implemented in several devices to improve electrical safety, minimize loose cabling and streamline assembly. These printed circuit boards can be readily manufactured at low cost using commercially available services based on the design files provided. Two sampler modules are responsible for manipulating reagents and solvents within the system. They are built upon an...