Advances of Machine Learning in Nanoscale Materials Science

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Theory and Simulation of Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 4220

Special Issue Editor

School of Interdisciplinary Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: ferroelectric materials; optoelectronic semiconductors; first-principles calculations; machine learning; machine learning interatomic potentials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cutting-edge machine learning (ML) techniques such as gradient boosting models (e.g., XGBoost), graph neural networks (e.g., CGCNN, SchNet, and ALIGNN), machine learning interatomic potentials (e.g., BPNN, GAP, M3Gnet, NequIP, MACE, and NEP), and deep learning-based density functional theory Hamiltonians (e.g., DeepH, HamGNN, and DeePTB) are revolutionizing the field of materials science. Leveraging high-quality datasets and advanced algorithms, these methods enable the rapid and reliable prediction of material properties, accelerate the discovery of novel materials through high-throughput screening, facilitate large-scale simulations with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency, and provide mechanistic insights into material behavior across multiple length and time scales. Such breakthroughs have the potential to drastically shorten the materials discovery and optimization cycle, reduce research costs, and unlock new classes of functional materials with extraordinary properties.

This Special Issue aims to present the latest progress in the application of machine learning, machine learning-based interatomic potentials, and data-driven approaches in materials science. Topics include, but are not limited to, ML-assisted property prediction, inverse design, automated experimentation, uncertainty quantification, interpretable AI models, machine learning for electronic structure prediction, and the development of materials databases. We welcome contributions on novel methodologies, benchmarking studies, and applications in areas such as energy materials, ferroelectric materials, functional ceramics, catalysts, polymers, and two-dimensional materials.

We invite leading experts and emerging researchers in the field to share their most recent findings, methodologies, and perspectives. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview of state-of-the-art advances and future directions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and materials science.

Dr. Gang Tang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • data-driven materials discovery
  • automated experimentation
  • inverse design
  • materials databases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4761 KB  
Article
Leveraging Machine Learning for Screening Metal-Organic Frameworks with Selective CO2 Recognition for Early Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Xian Wei, Xin Li, Xiong Wang, Xiaoyan Liu and Chen Zhu
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16040245 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 863
Abstract
The escalation of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries presents severe safety hazards that necessitate advanced monitoring protocols to ensure early warning of potential failures. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released during preliminary decomposition well before catastrophic failure occurs, thereby providing a strategic [...] Read more.
The escalation of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries presents severe safety hazards that necessitate advanced monitoring protocols to ensure early warning of potential failures. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released during preliminary decomposition well before catastrophic failure occurs, thereby providing a strategic advantage for early-stage warning. Consequently, identifying materials with high-selective CO2 recognition is an essential prerequisite for developing reliable sensing platforms. This study integrates Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations with Random Forest (RF) models to systematically screen 1470 MOFs from the CoRE-MOF 2019 database. The screening process evaluates selective CO2 recognition under multicomponent competitive adsorption conditions involving CO2, C2H4, and O2. The performance evaluation is based on working capacity, selectivity, and the trade-off between working capacity and selectivity (TSN). The RF model achieves high predictive accuracy, with tested R2 exceeding 0.92 on the test samples. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) interpretability analysis identifies Q0st(CO2), Q0st(C2H4), WEPA, KH(C2H4), and ETR as key performance drivers. The results indicate that CO2 selectivity is constrained by the binding strength of competing C2H4. Optimal materials tend to have hard Lewis acid centers and polar inorganic clusters to minimize non-specific π-interactions with interfering species. Top-performing MOFs require balanced structural features, concentrating in moderate surface areas (965–1975 m2/g), narrow pore windows (PLD ≈ 4–7 Å, LCD ≈ 5.5–9.6 Å), high void fractions above 0.6, and low densities below 1.3 g/cm3. AJOTEY emerges as the optimal candidate with a TSN of 6.43 mol/kg, combining substantial working capacity (4.57 mol/kg) with strong selectivity (25.52). These results will accelerate the discovery of sensing materials and provide a practical pathway for MOF-based CO2 sensor development to enhance lithium-ion battery safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Machine Learning in Nanoscale Materials Science)
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Review

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26 pages, 1953 KB  
Review
Machine Learning for Thermal Transport Prediction in Nanoporous Materials: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities
by Amirehsan Ghasemi and Murat Barisik
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(21), 1660; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15211660 - 31 Oct 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2829
Abstract
Predicting the thermal properties of nanoporous materials is a major challenge that affects their applications in efficient thermal insulation and energy storage. This narrative review discusses the application of machine learning models in nanoporous materials, including covalent organic frameworks, metal–organic frameworks, aerogels, and [...] Read more.
Predicting the thermal properties of nanoporous materials is a major challenge that affects their applications in efficient thermal insulation and energy storage. This narrative review discusses the application of machine learning models in nanoporous materials, including covalent organic frameworks, metal–organic frameworks, aerogels, and zeolites. It discusses model advancements, with a focus on predictive accuracy and computational efficiency. This includes models such as convolutional neural networks, graph neural networks, and physics-informed neural networks. This study also addresses the limitations of these data-driven models, including data availability, challenges in maintaining physical consistency, and difficulties in generalizing across various material families. Additionally, it covers emerging approaches such as multimodal and transfer learning, which are explored for their potential to reduce computational costs. Moreover, the benefits of interpretable machine learning methods for understanding underlying physical mechanisms are introduced and highlighted. This review provides comprehensive and practical guidelines for researchers using machine learning approaches in the study and design of nanoporous materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Machine Learning in Nanoscale Materials Science)
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