Interview with JMI’s new Associate Editor--Professor Hao Li: Insights into AI for Materials

We are honored to welcome Prof. Hao Li as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Materials Informatics. On May 24, 2024, we conducted an in-depth interview with Prof. Li to explore his academic background, research achievements, and vision for the journal's future.

Prof. Li is an Associate Professor at the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) of Tohoku University, Japan. He developed the “Digital Catalysis and Battery Lab (DigCat & DigBat)” in 2022 and is a joint investigator at the ARC Center of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide (GETCO2) at The University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on developing materials and catalysis theory, artificial intelligence (AI)-based computational methodologies, and designing cost-effective catalysts, batteries, and hydrogen storage materials for sustainable production.

In the interview, Prof. Li highlighted his lab's cutting-edge research regarding AI for Materials, and discussed his lab’s achievements in developing materials databases and machine learning models. He also emphasized the importance of programming skills for graduate students and shared insights into his busy yet fulfilling daily routine, balancing research, teaching, and administrative duties.

Here are the details of the Interview:

Interview Questions:

Question 1: What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take on the role of Associate Editor?

Question 2: Could you elaborate on your group's recent research work in the field of "AI for Materials" and the achievements you have made?

Question 3: What advice would you give to graduate students aspiring to pursue research in Materials Informatics? What key skills and knowledge should they focus on in the early stages of their academic and professional careers?

Question 4: Could you describe a typical day for you at Tohoku University? How do you balance your research, teaching, and administrative duties in your daily work?

Editor: Mengyu Yang
Language Editor: Emma Chen
Production Editor: Yan Zhang
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of the Journal of Materials Informatics