Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning

Abstract In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques are seen to be promising tools to discover and design novel materials. However, the lack of robust inverse design approaches to identify promising candidate materials without exploring the entire design space causes a fundamental bottleneck....

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Main Authors: Chun‐Teh Chen, Grace X. Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-03-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201902607
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spelling doaj-d2431a7535094a2d8c50a5c41210d9b52020-11-25T02:37:48ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442020-03-0175n/an/a10.1002/advs.201902607Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active LearningChun‐Teh Chen0Grace X. Gu1Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of California Berkeley CA 94720 USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering University of California Berkeley CA 94720 USAAbstract In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques are seen to be promising tools to discover and design novel materials. However, the lack of robust inverse design approaches to identify promising candidate materials without exploring the entire design space causes a fundamental bottleneck. A general‐purpose inverse design approach is presented using generative inverse design networks. This ML‐based inverse design approach uses backpropagation to calculate the analytical gradients of an objective function with respect to design variables. This inverse design approach is capable of overcoming local minima traps by using backpropagation to provide rapid calculations of gradient information and running millions of optimizations with different initial values. Furthermore, an active learning strategy is adopted in the inverse design approach to improve the performance of candidate materials and reduce the amount of training data needed to do so. Compared to passive learning, the active learning strategy is capable of generating better designs and reducing the amount of training data by at least an order‐of‐magnitude in the case study on composite materials. The inverse design approach is compared with conventional gradient‐based topology optimization and gradient‐free genetic algorithms and the pros and cons of each method are discussed when applied to materials discovery and design problems.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201902607compositesinverse problemmachine learningmaterials designoptimization algorithms
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Chun‐Teh Chen
Grace X. Gu
spellingShingle Chun‐Teh Chen
Grace X. Gu
Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
Advanced Science
composites
inverse problem
machine learning
materials design
optimization algorithms
author_facet Chun‐Teh Chen
Grace X. Gu
author_sort Chun‐Teh Chen
title Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
title_short Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
title_full Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
title_fullStr Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
title_full_unstemmed Generative Deep Neural Networks for Inverse Materials Design Using Backpropagation and Active Learning
title_sort generative deep neural networks for inverse materials design using backpropagation and active learning
publisher Wiley
series Advanced Science
issn 2198-3844
publishDate 2020-03-01
description Abstract In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques are seen to be promising tools to discover and design novel materials. However, the lack of robust inverse design approaches to identify promising candidate materials without exploring the entire design space causes a fundamental bottleneck. A general‐purpose inverse design approach is presented using generative inverse design networks. This ML‐based inverse design approach uses backpropagation to calculate the analytical gradients of an objective function with respect to design variables. This inverse design approach is capable of overcoming local minima traps by using backpropagation to provide rapid calculations of gradient information and running millions of optimizations with different initial values. Furthermore, an active learning strategy is adopted in the inverse design approach to improve the performance of candidate materials and reduce the amount of training data needed to do so. Compared to passive learning, the active learning strategy is capable of generating better designs and reducing the amount of training data by at least an order‐of‐magnitude in the case study on composite materials. The inverse design approach is compared with conventional gradient‐based topology optimization and gradient‐free genetic algorithms and the pros and cons of each method are discussed when applied to materials discovery and design problems.
topic composites
inverse problem
machine learning
materials design
optimization algorithms
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201902607
work_keys_str_mv AT chuntehchen generativedeepneuralnetworksforinversematerialsdesignusingbackpropagationandactivelearning
AT gracexgu generativedeepneuralnetworksforinversematerialsdesignusingbackpropagationandactivelearning
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