Robust Machine Learning Framework for Reliable Discovery of High-Performance Half-Heusler Thermoelectrics
This work addresses the problem of unreliable ML predictions for researchers in materials science, specifically for thermoelectric material discovery, by focusing on improving model generalizability rather than just test metrics, though it is incremental as it builds on existing ML workflows.
The study tackled the poor experimental generalizability of machine learning models in thermoelectric material discovery by developing a robust workflow for predicting the figure of merit (zT) in half-Heusler materials, resulting in the identification of several novel high-zT candidates from screening approximately 6.6x10^8 potential compositions.
Machine learning (ML) can facilitate efficient thermoelectric (TE) material discovery essential to address the environmental crisis. However, ML models often suffer from poor experimental generalizability despite high metrics. This study presents a robust workflow, applied to the half-Heusler (hH) structural prototype, for figure of merit (zT) prediction, to improve the generalizability of ML models. To resolve challenges in dataset handling and feature filtering, we first introduce a rigorous PCA-based splitting method that ensures training and test sets are unbiased and representative of the full chemical space. We then integrate Bayesian hyperparameter optimization with k-best feature filtering across three architectures-Random Forest, XGBoost, and Neural Networks - while employing SISSO symbolic regression for physical insight and comparison. Using SHAP and SISSO analysis, we identify A-site dopant concentration (xA'), and A-site Heat of Vaporization (HVA) as the primary drivers of zT besides Temperature (T). Finally, a high-throughput screening of approximately 6.6x10^8 potential compositions, filtered by stability constraints, yielded several novel high-zT candidates. Breaking from the traditional focus of improving test RMSE/R^2 values of the models, this work shifts the attention on establishing the test set a true proxy for model generalizability and strengthening the often neglected modules of the existing ML workflows for the data-driven design of next-generation thermoelectric materials.