Exclusive: A startup merges physics and AI to identify new green materials 'ten times quicker.'

      AI technologies like ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek have fundamentally transformed how we access and create information. However, these platforms are broadly applicable yet lack specialization.

      Recently, scientists are focusing on training AI to tackle specific issues, accelerating the processes involved in everything from drug development to fusion reactor design. One notable area where they are making progress is in enhanced material discovery, leading to a rise in promising startups, including PhaseTree.

      Established in 2021 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Denmark, PhaseTree has created a platform that combines computer simulations, laboratory automation, and AI to discover new materials for clean technologies such as batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines. Although the startup has not disclosed its exact methods, it claims that its technology allows for the discovery of new materials ten times faster than conventional techniques.

      “Our method speeds up discovery by integrating physics-based modeling with AI, enabling us to quickly identify and refine promising candidates that would normally take decades to develop,” stated Jin Hyun Chang, co-founder and CTO of PhaseTree, in an interview with TNW.

      PhaseTree operates in an increasingly competitive field. According to Dealroom data, AI-powered material discovery startups raised over $260 million last year, with ten of the 17 funding rounds in 2024 going to European startups such as ExoMatter, Dunia, and Orbital.

      PhaseTree takes a unique approach compared to its competitors. Unlike many other AI-driven material discovery tools, Chang noted that the startup emphasizes using existing scientific methods first, before applying machine learning, in a strategy they refer to as “physics-first, AI-on-top.”

      “Many AI-driven tools rely heavily on data correlations, whereas we focus on the physical principles that govern materials, including composition, atomic structure, defects, and microstructures, to ensure a dependable prediction of the materials' properties,” he explained.

      Today, PhaseTree announced it has secured €3 million in funding from the Denmark-based early-stage venture capital firm Heartcore Capital. The new funds will be directed toward enhancing research and development and expanding its team, aiming to apply its science to address real-world challenges.

      Amit Luthra, co-founder and CEO of PhaseTree, highlighted the company's emphasis on practical usage.

      “From the beginning, we design materials with manufacturability in mind, ensuring they can be produced at scale rather than existing just as theoretical concepts or lab-scale prototypes,” Luthra told TNW. “By focusing on low-cost, abundant materials with simple synthesis pathways, we increase the chances of adoption by key industrial players.”

      PhaseTree mentioned that it is currently collaborating with some of the world’s largest battery, automotive, and steel manufacturers, actively optimizing high-performance battery electrodes and advanced alloys.

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