DOE’s Genesis mission unites experts to tackle national challenges

Haonan Ling, a UCF Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is developing an AI-powered tool as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, a nationwide effort uniting academic, industry, and government teams. This virtual replication aims to predict and optimize bioprocess performance, addressing critical challenges in scaling up sustainable fuel and chemical production.

“The challenge is that conventionally scaling up biomanufacturing is slow and prone to failure, creating a need for smarter tools to accelerate development,” Ling says. If successful, the project could significantly reduce the time and risk associated with biomanufacturing, driving a transition toward a more sustainable economy.

Genesis Mission Unites Experts for Energy Materials Discovery

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission is assembling a diverse coalition of researchers focused on accelerating the discovery of energy materials, with a particular emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence to overcome longstanding hurdles in scientific advancement. UCF Associate Professor Haonan Ling is contributing to this nationwide effort, concentrating on the development of an AI-powered digital twin designed to optimize biomanufacturing processes and reduce associated risks. The Genesis Mission’s structure intentionally unites academic institutions, industrial partners, and government laboratories, recognizing that complex problems require a collaborative approach.

Winston Schoenfeld, UCF vice president for research and innovation, explains that “The Genesis Mission harnesses the collective strengths of the nation’s leading institutions across academia, industry, and government to accelerate the pace of discovery.” UCF’s involvement, Schoenfeld adds, “reflects the expertise of our researchers and talented students, whose contributions will help shape AI-enabled scientific workflows and transform technological advances into real-world solutions that fuel American competitiveness.” Ling’s work, alongside collaborators at Kansas State University and the National Laboratory of the Rockies, exemplifies this interdisciplinary spirit. Ling’s focus on biomanufacturing stems from the inherent difficulties in transitioning laboratory-scale biological processes to industrial production.

The digital twin he is developing will serve as a virtual testing ground, allowing researchers to model and optimize bioprocesses before committing to costly and time-consuming physical experiments. This approach promises to significantly reduce both the time and financial investment required to bring sustainable biomanufacturing technologies to market.

The core of Ling’s innovation lies in the creation of a predictive model capable of accurately simulating the complex interactions within a bioprocess. This model will integrate real-time data from sensors, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustment of key parameters. Doctoral student Pinzhen Lin will lead the development of these real-time sensors, focusing on their characterization and performance benchmarking to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data fed into the digital twin. Jirui Fu, a recent UCF mechanical engineering doctoral graduate, will also contribute to the project, further strengthening the research team’s expertise.

Beyond the immediate benefits to biomanufacturing, Ling envisions broader applications for the AI digital twin framework. He suggests that the technology could be adapted to optimize processes in diverse fields, and that the framework has strong potential as a commercial platform adopted across a wide range of industries, from energy to materials. This adaptability is a key feature of the Genesis Mission, which seeks to develop AI tools with broad applicability across multiple scientific domains. The project’s potential extends beyond technological advancements, offering valuable opportunities for early-career researchers.

Ling emphasizes the significance of participating in a mission of this scale, stating, “As an early-career researcher, I feel very fortunate to lead and participate in a mission of this scale.” He is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply emerging technologies to address real-world problems and to witness the integration of AI into the scientific process.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to apply this technology to solve real-world problems, and to see how it can be integrated with the rapidly advancing field of AI.” The Genesis Mission, a Transforming Science and Energy with AI initiative, is not simply about accelerating discovery; it is about fostering a new paradigm for scientific research. By harnessing the power of AI and promoting collaboration between diverse institutions, the mission aims to create a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable pathway to innovation.

If successful, this project could significantly accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable biomanufacturing for fuels and chemicals, making the process faster, cheaper, and less risky. The initiative’s emphasis on translating research into practical applications underscores its commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges and driving economic growth.