Read time: 8 minutes
The state of engineering testing
Across the globe, organisations are transforming their testing capabilities through high-throughput laboratories. From automotive giants implementing fully autonomous testing facilities to energy companies taking their first steps with AI-driven test optimisation, the revolution in product testing is happening now. Early adopters are already seeing dramatic results—cutting development cycles by up to 70%, reducing testing costs by 50%, and bringing innovations to market faster than ever. This isn't just about automation; it's about reimagining how we approach product development and safety validation.
The race against time: Why traditional testing methods are holding back innovation
In an era of fierce global competition, the pressure to innovate quickly while maintaining impeccable safety standards has never been more significant. The 2016 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 battery incident is a stark reminder of what's at stake—a testing oversight that resulted in a £4.2 billion loss and immeasurable brand damage. The challenge? Traditional testing methods are too slow and resource-intensive to keep pace with modern development needs.
Traditional battery testing, for instance, requires extensive cycles of charging and discharging across numerous parameter combinations. Engineers must test various nickel, manganese, and cobalt ratios while simultaneously optimising particle size and porosity—all crucial factors in achieving optimal energy density and longevity. With conventional methods, this process can take months or even years.
Accelerating to market: How high-throughput testing is revolutionising product safety
High-throughput testing represents a fundamental shift in approach. Instead of sequential testing, these advanced laboratories can conduct hundreds of parallel experiments, continuously analysing results and adjusting parameters in real time. This isn't just about speed—it's about intelligent testing that learns and adapts.
Key capabilities include:
24/7 innovation: Inside the self-learning, autonomous testing laboratory
Modern high-throughput labs combine sophisticated robotics with advanced AI systems to create a truly autonomous testing environment. These facilities operate around the clock, using machine learning algorithms to optimise test plans and identify promising directions for investigation.
The integration of computational modelling allows these systems to:
Industry leaders transforming battery testing: From BASF to Samsung SD
Between 2020 and 2024, high-throughput laboratory testing has significantly advanced battery engineering and materials development. Companies like Wildcat Discovery Technologies have leveraged high-throughput screening to rapidly evaluate thousands of material combinations, leading to breakthroughs in cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Their systematic approach has accelerated improvements in energy density while optimizing safety and longevity.
In materials discovery for energy storage, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have integrated high-throughput experimentation with AI to identify and validate new materials for next-generation batteries. This approach has reduced experimental timeframes from months to days, demonstrating the efficiency of merging AI with physical testing frameworks.
Additionally, industry leaders like BASF have invested in high-throughput automation for electrode material development. Their use of robotic systems and advanced analytics has expedited the design and testing of materials, contributing to significant advancements in sustainable battery technologies.
These developments highlight the role of high-throughput technologies in revolutionizing battery engineering, fostering rapid innovation in energy storage solutions while maintaining scalability and precision.
AI-driven battery testing: The future of efficient battery production
The impact of these advances extends far beyond just speed. Modern high-throughput laboratories are achieving significant improvements across several key areas:
Partner with Monolith AI: Building your high-throughput lab for next-generation battery technology
Whether you're taking your first steps toward lab automation or ready to implement a fully autonomous testing facility, Monolith AI offers the expertise and technology to accelerate your journey. Our platform has helped clients achieve: