DOE/LANL Jurisdiction Fire Danger Rating:
  1. LANL Home
  2. engage
  3. collaboration
  4. feynman center
  5. tech and capability search
  6. architector 20

Architector 2.0

Automated 3D structure generation and evaluation for metal–ligand complexes

technology Snapshot

Overview

Architector 2.0 automatically builds and evaluates chemically realistic three-dimensional models of metal–ligand complexes across the periodic table from minimal chemical input. By generating multiple plausible structures and ranking them using physics-based and data-driven methods, the software enables rapid exploration of complex inorganic chemical space, including difficult rare earth and actinide systems. This capability reduces the time, cost and uncertainty of molecular design and supports discovery in catalysis, nuclear fuel cycle science, energy technologies and advanced materials.

Adobe Stock image used for illustration purposes only
Adobe Stock image used for illustration purposes only

Advantages

  • Accelerates discovery across the periodic table – Automates exploration of diverse metal–ligand systems, including difficult f-block elements, through high-throughput workflows and advanced 3D functionalization.
  • Improves chemical predictivity – Models secondary solvation shell effects, including solvent and counterions, to produce more realistic and reliable structural predictions.
  • Expands access with an intuitive GUI – Provides a user-friendly interface that enables both experts and non-experts to explore complex chemical spaces efficiently.
  • Reduces cost and experimental risk – Combines efficient ligand sampling with machine learning–guided conformational exploration to minimize trial-and-error and accelerate decision-making.

Technology Description

Architector 2.0 is a computational software platform designed to automatically generate chemically realistic three-dimensional models of metal–ligand complexes across the periodic table. The software begins from minimal chemical inputs, such as a description of the metal center, ligand structures and key electronic properties, and then constructs a diverse set of plausible molecular geometries that satisfy known chemical and structural constraints. These candidate structures are evaluated using a combination of physics-based models and data-driven approaches to identify energetically reasonable configurations. By systematically generating and ranking multiple conformations, Architector enables researchers to capture the structural diversity that often governs the behavior of metal complexes in real chemical environments. This automated approach replaces what has traditionally been a manual and time-intensive process in computational chemistry.

The platform is designed to operate at high throughput and can scale from individual desktop systems to high-performance computing environments, allowing researchers to evaluate thousands of candidate compounds in parallel. This capability makes it possible to explore large regions of chemical space and rapidly identify promising compounds for further theoretical study or laboratory synthesis. Architector can also generate chemically meaningful environments surrounding a complex, enabling more complete evaluation of molecular stability and interactions. By providing reliable initial structures and configuration searches for challenging metal systems—including rare earth and actinide complexes—the software supports computational workflows used in catalysis research, nuclear chemistry, advanced materials development and molecular design for energy and environmental applications.

Market Applications

  • Critical Materials & Mining (rare earth element separation, strategic mineral processing)
  • Nuclear Energy & Fuel Cycle (fuel recycling, radioactive waste reduction, advanced reactor materials)
  • Energy & Clean Technology (energy storage materials, catalysts for clean fuels, carbon management technologies)
  • Chemical Manufacturing (industrial catalysts, specialty chemicals, process optimization)
  • Pharmaceuticals & Medical Isotopes (metal-based therapeutics, diagnostic imaging agents)
  • Advanced Materials & Electronics (magnetic materials, functional coatings, next-generation electronic materials)

On This Page

Overview

Advantages

Technology Description

Market Applications

Published: 2026-05-08

26-23524

Application Area

Sectors:Advanced Computing and AI/ML

Areas:Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Cyber Security, Biochemistry, Energy Technology Manufacturing, Operations Management, Renewable Energy

Industries:Aerospace, Chemical, Chemical Suppliers, Devices and Instruments, Environmental Remediation, Hydrogen Storage, Life Sciences, Mining, Nuclear Power, Nuclear Safeguards, Pharmaceutical, Plastic, Plastic Production and Recycling, Power Generation, Storage, Waste Management

Markets:AI/ML Models, Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace, Automotive, Condition Monitoring, Drug Discovery, Energy Storage, Fusion R&D, Molecular dynamics, National Security, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Reactors, Operations Management, Plastic Degradation and Recycling, Semiconductors, Smart Waste Management, Space Research, Telecommunications

Technology Readiness Level:

6 - Full System Prototype Built with Components Thoroughly Tested

IP Information

Copyright: C22085

Contact

  • Licensing
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • licensing@lanl.gov
Download PDF

Connect With Our Innovators

Get Connected

Access Our Technical Expertise

Our Expertise

Explore Ways to Partner With Us

Ways to Partner