Infomatter Matter Theme Lecture

Speaker : Dr. Albert Wong (University of Twente)

Title: Brain-inspired Chemical Reaction Networks

Abstract:
I am fascinated with the idea that chemistry could provide a new way to compute. Artificial Intelligence, however useful, marks the end of an era: This type of computation simply requires too much energy and is therefore unsustainable. Our future is shaped by questions such as “how will the computer look like 20 years from now?”, “how can computing become more energy efficient?”, and “what are alternative raw materials?”. Realizing that computation is not exclusive to silicon, my research lab aims to create alternative technologies to mimic the dynamical character of the human brain. Specifically, we pioneered how so-called chemical reaction networks (CRNs) can become capable of memory,1 molecular information processing,2 and—more generally—computing.3 Furthermore, we developed a fundamentally new approach to characterized CRNs, integrating methods in systems chemistry with graph theory.4 To maximize the potential of our work, I assembled a diverse team of PhD students (with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering). All in all, we design new computing paradigms and, in collaboration with industrial partners, explore their applicability in real-world applications. Ultimately, computation with CRNs promises a new foundation to address the societal challenges related to AI.

Selected publication(s):

1. Kriukov, D. V.; Koyuncu, A. H.; Wong, A. S. Y.* History dependence in a chemical reaction network enables dynamic switching. Small 2022, 18, 2107523, 1-7.
2. Koyuncu, A. H.; Movilli, J.; Sahin, S.; Kriukov, D. V.; Huskens, J.;* Wong, A. S. Y.* Polylysine-coated surfaces drive competition in chemical reaction networkst to enable molecular information processing. ChemSystemsChem 2023, 6, e20230003, 1-7.
3. Kriukov, D. V.; Huskens, J.; Wong, A. S. Y.* Exploring the Programmability of Autocatalytic Chemical Reaction Networks. Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 8289.
4. da Cunha, E. F.#; Kraakman, Y. J.#; Kriukov, D. V.; van Poppel, T.; Stegehuis, C.*; Wong A. S. Y.* Identify structures underlying out-of-equilibrium reaction networks with random graph analysis. Chem. Sci. 2025, 16, 3099 – 3106.