New teaching methods in chemistry studies: TU Ilmenau students fit in AI

The Technische Universität Ilmenau is developing new teaching methods for the Master’s program in Biotechnical Chemistry, which will enable students to use artificial intelligence when dealing with chemical substances. As part of its program topic "Machine learning and artificial intelligence in (in)organic synthesis and catalysis", the Chemical Industry Fund granted the university the purchase of a device that will be used to develop nanoparticles with the help of AI. TU Ilmenau thus sees itself as a pioneer in Germany with regard to digitalization in chemistry studies.

Students on the Master’s program in Biotechnical Chemistry can already take the "Digitalization in Chemistry" module. The theory-based course is now being expanded to include a practical part in which students learn how to use artificial intelligence. For this purpose, a so-called flow reactor system will be procured, which, linked by the students with artificial intelligence, will be used to develop novel nanoparticles in research at TU Ilmenau.

The Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (FCI) is covering 80 percent of the costs for the purchase of the high-tech device, which costs almost 50,000 euros, while the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at TU Ilmenau is contributing 20 percent. The FCI is a sponsoring organization of the German Chemical Industry Association and supports basic research, young scientists and chemistry teaching in schools.