Dr. Po-Yen Chen
 

Dr. Po-Yen Chen is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. Dr. Chen is also affiliated with the Maryland Robotics Center (MRC). He received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Taiwan University (NTU) and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After his Ph.D., he was awarded Hibbitt Early Career Fellowship and served as an independent researcher fellow at Brown University for 2 years. Then, he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for 2.5 years before he joined UMD. 

 

​His research focuses on merging predictive and generative artificial intelligence (AI), robotics-automated experimentation platforms, and simulation tools to revolutionize the discovery of functional nanocomposites and accelerate the development of sustainable materials and technologies. By leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) predictions, he aims to solve conventional design challenges in multi-component formulation determination and multi-property optimization. This eliminates the need for trial-and-error experiments and surpasses the inefficient one-factor-at-a-time approach.

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This robotics/ML-integrated workflow speeds up identifying and optimizing ideal nanocomposites with programmable functionalities. It addresses critical issues such as plastic waste, resource depletion, and the lack of high-performance materials. These AI/ML-discovered functional materials hold significant promise across various applications, including soft electronics, sustainable material innovations, piezoresistive aerogels, and smart soft robots. Additionally, his research employs model interpretation methods and simulation tools to uncover complex composition–structure–functionality correlations efficiently, guiding the design of new materials with tailored properties.