Institute of Advanced Studies, Singapore

How AI agents are reshaping the future of scientific discovery!

We were pleased to host Prof George Karniadakis for an engaging seminar on Scientific Machine Learning (SciML) and the growing potential of agentic AI systems in tackling complex challenges across science and engineering.

Prof Karniadakis presented AgenticSciML, a collaborative multi-agent framework in which more than 10 specialised AI agents interact to generate, evaluate, and improve scientific machine learning solutions. Through structured debate, shared memory of methods, and evolutionary search mechanisms, the system enables exploration of novel model architectures and optimisation strategies beyond traditional expert-driven design.

Across physics-informed and operator learning tasks, AgenticSciML demonstrated significant improvements over single-agent and human-designed approaches, while also discovering novel strategies such as adaptive mixture-of-expert architectures, decomposition-based physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), and physics-informed operator learning models.

The session offered a fascinating glimpse into how collaborative reasoning among AI agents could enable more scalable, transparent, and autonomous approaches to scientific computing and discovery.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this thought-provoking session and engaging discussion!

Exploring new frontiers in antiferromagnetic spintronics!

We were delighted to host Prof Liang Wu from the University of Pennsylvania for an insightful talk on antiferromagnetic order and emergent phenomena in two-dimensional materials.

The talk highlighted the exciting potential of antiferromagnets (AFMs) for next-generation spintronics, particularly due to their absence of stray magnetic fields and ultrafast terahertz resonant frequencies. Prof Wu shared how his team developed a highly sensitive second harmonic generation (SHG) microscope to directly detect long-range Néel antiferromagnetic order in MnPSe₃, extending all the way down to the monolayer limit.

He also presented the deterministic switching of antiferromagnetic domains in MnPSe₃ and explored newly observed magnetically switchable photocurrents linked to the quantum geometry of the material. These findings offer new possibilities for controlling magnetic states and light-driven electrical responses in atomically thin materials.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this engaging session and for the thoughtful discussions on the future of 2D materials and antiferromagnetic spintronics.

🌍 How do we safeguard global biodiversity while financing essential conservation efforts?

At our recent IAS Discovery Science Seminar, Asst Prof Zeng Yiwen unpacked the vital links between ecological modeling, community stewardship, and the carbon market. By integrating scientific research with innovative financing, we can develop sustainable strategies to protect natural habitats against climate change and human expansion.

🗣️"It was interesting to learn about risks involved in assessing carbon markets and how biodiversity is often overlooked." - Nur Estya Binte Rahman (PhD student, ASE)

🔗 Click the link to read the full event recap and watch the insightful Q&A session: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/news-events/news/detail/safeguarding-biodiversity-in-a-changing-world

How do we tame energy on an ultrafast, nanoscale level? It all comes down to "handedness"!

At our latest IAS@NTU STEM Graduate Colloquium, Asst Prof Sankaran Ramesh (IIT Kharagpur) revealed how structural chirality can be used as a practical control parameter to manipulate energy pathways.

Through incredible insights into gold nanoparticles and perovskite lattices, we explored how nanoscale design could pave the way for next-gen, magnet-free spintronic devices.

🗣️"This is an interesting and new topic to me, good flow of presentation, clear and easy to understand" - Zhang Yanchen (PhD student, MAE)

🔗 Head over to the link to read the full event recap and view the lecture recording: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/news-events/news/detail/left--right-and-ultrafast--chiral-dynamics-in-gold-nanoparticles-and-perovskite-lattices

Can "defects" actually be the secret to better technology?

At our recent IAS@NTU STEM Graduate Colloquium, we learned that in the world of metal halide perovskites, imperfections aren't liabilities—they are design variables waiting to be unlocked!

We were thrilled to host Prof Annamaria Petrozza (Director at IIT Milan & MIT TR35 Innovator) for an eye-opening session on the defect chemistry of these highly versatile semiconductors. To a packed house at LT5, she broke down exactly how the compositional freedom that makes perovskites a true "library of semiconductors" also drives their complex charge carrier dynamics.

A few favourite takeaways:
💧 Using a brilliant "bucket of water" analogy to explain electron and hole trapping!
☀️ Understanding the trade-off: how defects that boost voltage can also cause photodegradation (and how surface passivation can fix it!).
🔴 Pushing the boundaries beyond lead chemistry with tin-based perovskites for near-infrared LEDs.

🗣️ "The topic was well explained and broadly covered the various defect mechanisms" - Yuvaraj Hemanth Kumar (PhD, MSE)

Missed the colloquium or want to re-watch the magic? 🎥 We’ve got you covered. Hit the link below to read the full recap and catch the video recording! 🔗https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/news-events/news/detail/defects-activity-in-metal-halide-perovskites-by-prof-annamaria-petrozza

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Prof Maxim Pchenitchnikov from the University of Groningen to our IAS STEM Graduate Colloquium for an eye-opening lecture on molecular self-assembly and synthetic light-harvesting antennas.

Drawing inspiration from the highly efficient green sulfur bacteria found in nature, Prof Pchenitchnikov took us on a deep dive into how simple organic molecules can autonomously organize into complex nanostructures. He highlighted how these structures "learn" to capture and guide light without any external or central control—a fundamental process that could pave the way for next-generation solar energy and optical technologies.

One of the most fascinating takeaways was his team's work on tracking the "missing middle" of this self-assembly process. By combining advanced spectroscopy with microfluidics, they discovered that molecular assembly operates on two distinct clocks: while the physical structure can take shape in mere minutes, the perfect optical alignment inside requires much longer to mature.

The session wrapped up with a highly collaborative Q&A, where students and researchers eagerly discussed the nuances of chemical environments and ultrafast tracking techniques.

Thank you, Prof Pchenitchnikov, for sharing these brilliant insights and inspiring our graduate community! 🙌

🔗 Click the link to read the full recap: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/news-events/news/detail/can-molecules-learn-to-harvest-light--from-self-assembly-to-a-synthetic-antenna-by-prof-maxim-pchenitchnikov

We recently welcomed pre-university educators to NTU's College of Science for our 2026 Learning Journey, centred on the theme "Educating with AI: Shaping the Future Classroom." Through thought-provoking discussions on Digital Tools & AI in Curriculum and Integrating Innovation into Practice, educators explored how emerging technologies are transforming teaching and learning, and how they can be meaningfully integrated into the classroom.

The day also featured a networking lunch, followed by a selection of immersive lab tours across the College of Science. Educators had the opportunity to explore research and teaching facilities at the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), School of Biological Sciences (SBS), School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CCEB), and the Asian School of the Environment (ASE), gaining insights into the latest scientific advancements and innovations.

More than just a day of learning, this journey equips educators with new ideas, perspectives, and connections that they can bring back to their classrooms. By embracing innovation in education, they help inspire curiosity, strengthen scientific thinking, and prepare students for a future where science and AI go hand in hand.

Photos by:
https://www.instagram.com/havefun__23?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Exploring the future of wearable tech!

We were delighted to host Dr Otto Lam (University of Exeter) recently at our IAS STEM Graduate Colloquium for an insightful session on Sensing and Wearable Technologies with 2D Nanomaterials. The colloquium unpacked how these ultra-thin materials are shaping next-generation sensors and flexible electronics.

Dr Lam also shared exciting advances in integrating hybrid and lead-free perovskites into high-frequency, flexible optoelectronic devices; opening up possibilities for applications ranging from underwater sensing to textile-based biosensors.

It was inspiring to see how fundamental materials science connects seamlessly with real-world innovations in wearable technology and beyond. Attendees also engaged in an active Q&A session with Dr Lam, discussing applications of nanomaterials and device design, with further questions continuing in smaller conversations after the colloquium.

Read more about this colloquium here: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/news-events/news/detail/sensing-and-wearable-technologies-with-2d-nanomaterials-dr-otto-lam

✨ Introducing the IAS VOYAGE Fellowship ✨

We officially launched the VOYAGE (Visiting Outstanding Young and Advanced Global Experts) Fellowship — a global platform designed to bring together exceptional researchers and thought leaders from around the world

This prestigious fellowship supports both early-career researchers and internationally recognised experts, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and impactful research across diverse fields.

💡 About VOYAGE
– Opportunities to collaborate with NTU faculty on cutting-edge research
– Access to world-class facilities, seminars, and global networks
– Support including airfare, workspace, and research engagement resources

Fellows will be immersed in NTU’s vibrant academic ecosystem, contributing through joint projects, mentorship, and thought leadership that shape the future of research. VOYAGE is your gateway to meaningful global collaboration.

🚀 Applications and nominations are now open till 31 May 2026. Click the VOYAGE link below to get started! https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ias/research/ias-ntu-visiting-outstanding-young-and-advanced-global-expert-voyage-fellowship