Perspective on integrating machine learning into computational chemistry and materials science

Julia Westermayr, Michael Gastegger, Kristof T. Schütt, Reinhard J. Maurer, J. Chem. Phys. 154, 230903 (2021)

"As ML is becoming pervasive in electronic structure theory and molecular simulation, we provide an overview of how atomistic computational modeling is being transformed by the incorporation of ML approaches. From the perspective of the practitioner in the field, we assess how common workflows to predict structure, dynamics, and spectroscopy are affected by ML."

Determining the effect of hot electron dissipation on molecular scattering experiments at metal surfaces

C. L. Box, Y. Zhang, R. Yin, B. Jiang, R. J. Maurer, JACS Au 1, 164-173 (2020)

"Vibrational state-to-state scattering of NO on Au(111) provides a testing ground for developing various nonadiabatic theories, including electronic friction theory. This system is often cited as the prime example for the breakdown of electronic friction theory, a very efficient model accounting for dissipative forces on metal-adsorbed molecules due to the creation of electron-hole-pair excitations in the metal. Here we present a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the performance of molecular dynamics with electronic friction (MDEF) in describing vibrational state-to-state scattering of NO on Au(111) and connect directly to fundamental approximations. Our analysis provides a firm baseline for the future development of nonadiabatic dynamics methods to tackle problems in surface chemistry and photocatalysis."

A symmetry adapted high dimensional neural network representation of electronic friction tensor of adsorbates on metals

Yaolong Zhang, Reinhard J. Maurer, Bin Jiang, J. Chem. Phys., just accepted (2019)

"In this work, we develop a new symmetry-adapted neural network representation of electronic friction, based on our recently proposed embedded atom neural network (EANN) framework. Unlike previous methods, our new approach can readily include both molecular and surface degrees of freedom, regardless of the type of surface. Tests on the H2+Ag(111) system show that this approach yields an accurate, efficient, and continuous representation of electronic friction, making it possible to perform large scale TDPT-based MDEF simulations to study both adiabatic and nonadiabatic energy dissipation in a unified framework."

Role of Tensorial Electronic Friction in Energy Transfer at Metal Surfaces

Mikhail Askerka, Reinhard J. Maurer, Victor S. Batista, John C. Tully, Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 217601 (2016)
Editor’s Suggestion

We use time-dependent perturbation theory to calculate the full electronic friction tensor and study its relevance in the simulation of dynamics at surfaces.

Thermal and electronic fluctuations of flexible adsorbed molecules: Azobenzene on Ag(111)

Reinhard J. Maurer, Wei Liu, Igor Poltavsky, Thomas Stecher, Harald Oberhofer, Karsten Reuter, Alexandre Tkatchenko, Phys. Rev. Lett., 116, 146101 (2016)

Ab Initio molecular dynamics simulation of the free energy of desorption reveals collective electronic and thermal fluctuations that define the finite-temperature energetics of complex adsorbates.