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Argonne and UIC launch AI research program targeting brain mapping, water safety and surgery
Argonne National Laboratory and UIC are funding three joint AI research projects focused on brain mapping, water contamination detection, and surgical imaging. Each team receives $225,000 per year for two years.
Argonne and UIC Launch Three AI Research Collaborations
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and University of Illinois Chicago are funding three joint research projects that combine advanced computing with neuroscience, water quality monitoring, and surgical imaging. Each team receives $225,000 annually over two years.
The projects are the first awards from the Convergence Intelligence Seed Funding Program, backed by the George Crabtree Institute for Discovery. The program received more than 50 proposals across medical imaging, drug discovery, environmental monitoring, and advanced manufacturing.
Brain mapping at scale
Nicola Ferrier at Argonne and Ruixuan Gao at UIC will develop machine learning tools to reconstruct neural connectivity from light microscopy images. The work aims to clarify how brain structure relates to function.
Detecting water contaminants in real time
Jeffrey Elam (Argonne), Ahmed Abokifa, and Brian Chaplin (both UIC) will combine AI with sensor arrays to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - commonly called forever chemicals - in water systems. The goal is faster, more accurate monitoring of water quality and public health risks.
Surgical precision through predictive modeling
Neil Getty at Argonne and Milos Zefran at UIC will build predictive models of how soft tissues move during surgery using robotic imaging data. The tools could help surgeons improve outcomes in minimally invasive procedures.
Michael Papka, co-director of the George Crabtree Institute and deputy associate laboratory director at Argonne, said the awards reflect "bold, collaborative thinking" that pairs Argonne's computing expertise with UIC's scientific strengths. Papka also directs the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, a Department of Energy user facility.
The George Crabtree Institute honors the legacy of George Crabtree, a scientist at Argonne and UIC who advanced energy storage research and interdisciplinary collaboration. The institute continues that work by supporting partnerships between the two institutions.
Researchers interested in AI applications for scientific discovery can explore AI for Science & Research learning resources covering research automation and laboratory optimization.