Public Lecture: Professor Taylor D. Sparks - The LLM Revolution in Materials Science

Speaker: Taylor D. Sparks
Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Utah
Website: http://www.eng.utah.edu/~sparks/
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Public Lecture: The LLM Revolution in Materials Science – From Data Extraction to Crystal Design

Date: 28th April 2025
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 3, The Diamond, University of Sheffield, 32 Leavygreave Rd, S3 7RD

Abstract: The prediction and design of crystal structures have captivated scientists for over a century, evolving from simple heuristic rules to sophisticated data-driven approaches. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly the emergence of generative models and large language models (LLMs), are driving a new paradigm shift in this field. In this talk, I will compare generative frameworks such as variational autoencoders, generative adversarial networks, and diffusion models, with new LLM tools for structure generation, such as our recent CrysText approach which leverages LLMs for text-based conditioning and the direct generation of crystallographic information files (CIFs). This approach ensures precise compliance with specified constraints while enabling accelerated discovery. Additionally, I will explore the transformative role of LLMs in materials data extraction, demonstrating their potential to automate and accelerate database creation, literature mining, and decision-making processes. Together, these innovations underscore the revolutionary potential of AI in reshaping materials science.

Bio: Dr. Sparks is an Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Utah and recently completed a sabbatical at the University of Liverpool with support from the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellow program. He holds a BS in MSE from the UofU, MS in Materials from UCSB, and PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard University. He was a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and a speaker for TEDxSaltLakeCity. He is active in MRS, TMS, and ACERS societies. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation and has served as an Associate Editor for Data in Brief and Computational Materials Science. When he’s not in the lab you can find him running his podcast “Materialism,” creating materials educational content for his YouTube channel, or canyoneering with his 4 kids in southern Utah.

This event is free, but registration is required.

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