South Korean chemicals and materials manufacturer LG Chem said Monday it had built an Autonomous Smart Lab at its Technology Research Center in Daejeon, a first for a domestic chemical company.
The new lab specializes in analyzing cathode materials — a core component of electric-vehicle batteries — including lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese.
By automating high-temperature processing, acid treatment and other hazardous, repetitive procedures that were done by human hand, the firm expects both safety and efficiency to improve.
Once samples are placed in storage, robots handle the entire process from retrieval and preparation to analysis and disposal. Results are automatically uploaded into the system, enabling quicker responses to customer requests.
Unlike conventional labs that operate only during working hours, the new setup allows for experiments to run 24/7, creating what the company calls an unlimited research environment.
LG Chem said the upgrade will allow researchers to focus on developing new analytical methods and higher-value tasks. The company plans to expand the initiative by establishing a similar automated lab at its Magok R&D Campus in Seoul, and eventually connecting robotics with AI-based data analysis.
“Automated analysis goes beyond efficiency,” said LG Chem CTO Lee Jong-gu. “It creates an environment where researchers can immerse themselves in creative and strategic R&D, strengthening competitiveness in next-generation materials and enabling us to respond more actively to market changes.”
hyelimchung@heraldcorp.com
