The Autonomous Science Lab National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos"
The Autonomous Science Lab (ASL) at the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” specialises in the development of cyber-physical tools for the automation of scientific exploration and intelligence. The lab envisions and actively works towards creating the materials engineering lab of the future. In this vision, communicative AI agents along with modular robotic agents will be assembled into autonomous desktop scientific platforms, a.k.a “self-driving laboratories”, designed to augment and dramatically amplify the capacity of human scientists.
About the partnership
NCSR will be responsible for the development of a biobased thin film using bioplastics extracted. This will be achieved via the following: (a) Manual development & testing, (b) Automated dev/testing and (c) AI Planner. More specifically, the extracted polysaccharides will be blended with other biopolymers and additives to achieve desired mechanical and barrier properties. Thereafter, NCSR will develop a robotic materials system/platform automating synthesis and characterization of bioplastic formulations (100% biobased/ biodegradable) to develop a single-use biobased thin film and/or recycled plastic waste extracted from biomass. AI planning software will be used for analysis in development cycles, iteratively learning from prior cycles and designing and implementing new material recipes based on the user.
Meet the Team
Filippos Tourlomousis
PhD – Leading Researcher
Tourlomousis is leading the Autonomous Science Lab @ NCSR Demokritos. He is a researcher and entrepreneur with experience in developing advanced materials engineering platforms for the fabrication of architected biomaterials with resolutions spanning microns to cm length scales for healthcare and sustainability applications. His current research interests lie in the field of intelligence, automation and robotics infrastructure for physical and digital self-driving materials engineering labs
Nefeli Pontillo
PhD – Senior Researcher
Dr. Nefeli Pontillo is a researcher with over a decade of laboratory experience in designing and developing sustainable materials. Having obtained her PhD from the National Technical University of Athens and with postdoctoral experience at the Imperial College London, Nefeli is a skilled chemical engineer that combines deep technical knowledge with a strong international background. Passionate about implementing the principles of green chemistry and sustainable engineering, and skilled in collaborating on EU-funded projects, Nefeli brings a solutions-driven approach to tackling global challenges.
Sofia Economidou
PhD – Senior Researcher
Dr. Sofia Economidou is a Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years of research experience on medical devices and Additive Manufacturing. PhD holder from School of Pharmacy, University of Kent UK, with post-doctoral research experience in School of Pharmacy, University College London, Sofia has an established track record in the development of medical devices, from the R&D stage to regulatory approval and commercialisation. She also has co-authored several highly cited scientific articles and one book chapter. Currently, Sofia works as a researcher at the Autonomous Science Lab in the National Center for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’
Konstantinos Nikitidis
MSc – Project Manager
Mr. Konstantinos Nikitidis is an analyst with extensive experience in data-driven analysis and strategic problem-solving. He is currently engaged in cutting-edge project «Translational Research in Sustainable Materials Technologies in collaboration with MIT» at NCSR “Demokritos”. He has also contributed to the Technology Transfer Hub “SCIENCE AGORA”, advancing innovation and knowledge dissemination. Holding an MSc in Information Systems & Information Management from the University of Leeds, Konstantinos thrives in dynamic and agile environments, addressing complex challenges and driving innovation.
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions programme under grant agreement No 101095303, under topic HORIZON-CL4-2024-TWIN-TRANSITION-01-38 – Hubs for circularity for industrialised urban peripheral areas (Processes4Planet partnership) (IA).
