Data Mining Used to Create New Materials

Roland Piquepaille writes "MIT researchers have successfully integrated data mining tools and modern methods of quantum mechanics. They've designed software which can help predict the crystal structures of materials. To simplify, they say they've used methods used by online sales sites to suggest books to customers. And it seems to work: they claim they can determine in days the properties of atomic structures that might have taken months before. Read more for additional references and pictures."

Comments

Excellent

[cptgrudge]

Maybe now I can get that Vorpal Mace of Undying +3 in the same time that I could only get the +1 model before. This will reduce the time I spend level grinding and farming in the MMORPGs that I frequent. Finally, a technology I can use.

Leave it to MIT grads to complicate a problem

[kimvette]

And it seems to work: they claim they can determine in days the properties of atomic structures that might have taken months before.

Last time I checked, Engineers look for the easiest reliable method for finding a solution. Why are the MIT folks complicating this?

I have them beat. I can find the properties of atomic structures, that took months to solve before, in seconds.

How?

Google. Why reinvent the wheel when the work has already been done? ;)

(I know, I know, that's not what they meant, but the submitter left it open for witty comments).