Global Materials Informatics Research Projects Database

A comprehensive reference database of major Materials Informatics research projects and national initiatives worldwide

Series Overview

This series provides a comprehensive database of major Materials Informatics research projects and initiatives worldwide, covering funding, objectives, achievements, and current status. From the pioneering Materials Genome Initiative in the United States to emerging programs in Asia-Pacific, this reference guide offers insights into the global landscape of MI research infrastructure.

Features:
- Database Format: Structured information for easy reference and comparison
- Comprehensive Coverage: 32+ major projects across 15+ countries
- Current Status: Active, completed, and emerging initiatives
- Budget Analysis: Funding levels and investment trends
- Impact Assessment: Key achievements and scientific outputs

Total Reading Time: 60-90 minutes (reference material for ongoing consultation)

Chapter Structure

Quick Stats: Global MI Investment

Chapter Details

Chapter 1: United States - The MGI Ecosystem

Coverage: 7 Major Projects
Reading Time: 15-20 minutes

Projects Covered

1. Materials Genome Initiative (MGI)
   - Launch: 2011, Budget: $500M+ cumulative
   - Goal: Halve materials development time and cost
   - Status: Ongoing, expanded scope

2. DMREF (Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future)
   - Agency: NSF, Budget: $250M+ since 2012
   - Focus: Fundamental research aligned with MGI
   - Status: Active, annual funding cycles

3. ARPA-E Materials Programs
   - Programs: OPEN, METALS, ULTIMATE
   - Focus: High-risk, high-reward energy materials
   - Status: Multiple active programs

4. Materials Project
   - Institution: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
   - Data: 150,000+ computed materials
   - Status: Continuously expanding

5. AFLOW (Automatic FLOW)
   - Institution: Duke University
   - Data: 3.5M+ crystal structures
   - Status: Active development

6. OQMD (Open Quantum Materials Database)
   - Institution: Northwestern University
   - Data: 1M+ DFT calculations
   - Status: Active

7. CHiMaD (Center for Hierarchical Materials Design)
   - Institution: Northwestern-led consortium
   - Focus: ICME tools and databases
   - Status: Active

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the MGI framework and its evolution since 2011
• Know the major US funding agencies and their MI programs
• Identify key databases and their data coverage

Read Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Japan - Integrated MI Infrastructure

Coverage: 6 Major Projects
Reading Time: 12-15 minutes

Projects Covered

1. MI2I (Materials Research by Information Integration Initiative)
   - Agency: JST/NIMS, Period: 2015-2020
   - Budget: 5B yen, Focus: MI platform development
   - Achievements: StarryData, MatNavi expansion

2. SIP (Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program)
   - Materials-related SIP projects
   - Budget: Multi-billion yen
   - Focus: Industrial implementation

3. JST CREST/PRESTO Programs
   - MI-related research areas
   - Support for individual researchers
   - Status: Ongoing funding

4. NIMS Materials Database (MatNavi)
   - Institution: National Institute for Materials Science
   - Coverage: Polymers, inorganics, alloys
   - Status: Continuously expanding

5. AIST Materials Open Platform
   - Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
   - Focus: Industrial materials data
   - Status: Active

6. University Consortiums
   - University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University initiatives
   - Focus: Education and research
   - Status: Active collaborations

Learning Outcomes

• Understand Japan's integrated approach to MI
• Know the role of NIMS in materials data infrastructure
• Identify industry-academia collaboration models

Read Chapter 2

Chapter 3: Europe - FAIR Data and Sustainability Focus

Coverage: 4 Major Projects
Reading Time: 12-15 minutes

Projects Covered

1. NOMAD (Novel Materials Discovery)
   - Funding: EU Horizon 2020/Europe
   - Data: 100M+ calculations
   - Focus: FAIR data principles, open access

2. FAIRmat
   - Funding: DFG (German Research Foundation)
   - Focus: FAIR data infrastructure for materials science
   - Status: Active, expanding partnerships

3. Battery 2030+
   - Funding: EU Horizon Europe
   - Budget: 150M+ EUR
   - Focus: Next-generation batteries, sustainability

4. Henry Royce Institute (UK)
   - Budget: 250M+ GBP
   - Focus: Advanced materials research hub
   - Partners: 9 UK universities

Learning Outcomes

• Understand EU's FAIR data approach to materials science
• Know the Battery 2030+ roadmap and objectives
• Identify UK's post-Brexit materials research strategy

Read Chapter 3

Chapter 4: Asia-Pacific and Emerging Programs

Coverage: 5+ National Programs
Reading Time: 12-15 minutes

Programs Covered

1. China - Materials Genome Engineering
   - Part of Made in China 2025
   - Major investments in computational infrastructure
   - Focus: Strategic materials independence

2. Singapore - A*STAR Materials Initiatives
   - Institution: Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
   - Focus: Advanced manufacturing, electronics
   - Status: Active programs

3. Australia - Materials Research Networks
   - ANSTO, CSIRO collaborations
   - Focus: Mining, energy materials
   - Status: Growing investment

4. Canada - Materials Discovery Programs
   - NRC, NSERC funded initiatives
   - Focus: Clean energy materials
   - Status: Expanding scope

5. South Korea - Materials Research Initiatives
   - KIST, KAIST programs
   - Focus: Electronics, batteries
   - Status: Active investment

Learning Outcomes

• Understand China's strategic materials informatics approach
• Know Singapore's focused MI applications
• Identify emerging programs in Australia and Canada

Read Chapter 4

Chapter 5: Comparative Analysis and Future Trends

Coverage: Cross-cutting Analysis
Reading Time: 10-12 minutes

Topics Covered

1. Funding Model Comparison
   - Government-led vs. industry-led approaches
   - Centralized vs. distributed funding
   - Long-term vs. project-based support

2. Data Infrastructure Strategies
   - Open access vs. restricted access models
   - FAIR principles adoption levels
   - Interoperability challenges

3. Industry Engagement Models
   - Public-private partnerships
   - Technology transfer mechanisms
   - Commercialization pathways

4. Future Directions
   - AI/ML integration trends
   - Autonomous laboratories
   - Sustainability-driven design

5. Best Practices and Lessons Learned
   - Success factors across programs
   - Common challenges and solutions
   - Recommendations for new initiatives

Learning Outcomes

• Compare different national approaches to MI investment
• Identify best practices from successful programs
• Understand future trends in global MI research

Read Chapter 5

How to Use This Database

For Researchers

• Identify potential collaboration opportunities
• Find relevant databases for your research area
• Understand funding landscape for grant applications

For Policymakers

• Benchmark national programs against international standards
• Identify successful funding models and strategies
• Plan infrastructure investments

For Industry Professionals

• Identify partnership opportunities with national programs
• Access publicly available databases and tools
• Understand technology transfer mechanisms

Quick Reference Links

Major Databases

• Materials Project (USA)
• AFLOW (USA)
• OQMD (USA)
• MatNavi (Japan)
• NOMAD (EU)

Key Funding Agencies

• NSF, DOE, ARPA-E (USA)
• JST, NEDO, MEXT (Japan)
• European Commission, DFG (EU)
• UKRI, EPSRC (UK)

Database Updates

This database is updated regularly to reflect new programs, funding announcements, and project completions. Last comprehensive update: November 2025.

Suggested Citation:
MI Knowledge Hub. (2025). Global Materials Informatics Research Projects Database. Tohoku University.