Molecular Screening for Industrial R&D

Decision Support for Materials R&D

We provide the computational layer between chemical intuition and the laboratory bench — helping R&D teams identify the most promising materials before synthesis begins.

For R&D teams in coatings, polymers & specialty chemicals

DFT
Density Functional Theory — the physics behind every prediction
First-Principles Method
No Black
Box
Every result is explainable — we tell you why, not just what
Physics-Based Insight
Top 5%
Screen hundreds of candidates to deliver the ones that warrant lab time
Focused Shortlists
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What We Do

Narrow the
Search Space

We help R&D teams evaluate thousands of molecular candidates — computationally — before a single experiment begins. The result is a focused shortlist backed by physics, not guesswork.

Traditional trial-and-error is slow, expensive, and explores only a fraction of the possible design space. We change that equation.

01

Prioritise

Rank candidates by theoretical performance to focus resources on high-probability leads — before synthesis begins.

02

De-risk

Identify stability issues or molecular incompatibility early, avoiding costly wasted synthesis time.

03

Explain

Gain mechanistic insight into why certain molecules perform — guiding the next generation of design.

Application Areas

Areas of Expertise

Methodology

From Concept
to Shortlist

A structured four-stage workflow to move from idea to experimental validation.

01
Problem Definition
Candidate Space & KPIs
Define candidate space and key performance indicators. You provide structures, chemical families, or supplier options.
02
Computational Screening
DFT & HPC Evaluation
DFT and electronic-structure evaluation on HPC systems — tailored to the specific property of interest.
03
Ranking & Insight
Molecular Descriptors
Interpret molecular descriptors against your KPIs and identify top candidates — with clear mechanistic rationale.
04
Technical Report
Shortlist & Risk Analysis
Deliver a clear shortlist with rationale and risk analysis — lab-ready for your team to act on immediately.
Full workflow detail →
Why Choose Us

Why Moltera

Industry clients need more than a result — they need to trust the process behind it.

01
Physics-Based, Not Black-Box AI
Every prediction is grounded in quantum chemistry — explainable, defensible, and traceable to first principles.
02
Designed for Materials R&D
We specialise in the property spaces that matter for coatings, polymers, adhesives, and specialty chemicals — not generic drug discovery.
03
Fast Screening of Large Molecular Spaces
We can evaluate hundreds of candidates against your KPIs and return a focused shortlist — in weeks, not quarters.
04
Clear, Interpretable Technical Reports
Our deliverables are written for R&D leads — not academic journals. Every recommendation includes the rationale and the risk.
Sectors

Application Sectors

🎨
Advanced Coatings
Corrosion protection, functional coatings, surface adhesion, film-forming polymers.
⚗️
Additives & Specialty Chemicals
Performance additives, stabilisers, plasticisers, crosslinkers, and functional ingredients.
🌱
Sustainable Materials
Bio-based feedstocks, green chemistry alternatives, reduced-toxicity formulations.
🔗
Adhesion Technologies
Adhesives, sealants, primers, coupling agents, and surface compatibilisers.
🧪
Polymer Formulation
Polymer blends, compatibilisers, processing aids, and formulation optimisation.
🛡️
Corrosion Protection
Inhibitor selection, passivation chemistry, protective barrier systems.
"

The goal is not to replace the chemist,
but to give them a map.

— Moltera Methodology

Get Started

Ready to reduce
experimental noise?

Tell us about your R&D challenge and we'll discuss whether computational screening can help.

Start a Conversation
Common Questions

Frequently Asked

We primarily use first-principles physics (DFT, molecular dynamics) which provides causal insight and accuracy for novel chemistries where data is scarce. We avoid "black box" predictions unless explicitly supported by robust experimental datasets.
Timelines depend entirely on scope and complexity. Exploratory screens may take weeks; deep mechanistic studies take longer. We prioritise accuracy and rigour over speed and will always agree timelines upfront.
No. Simulation is a tool for risk reduction and prioritisation, not guarantee. We help direct your lab effort toward the most promising candidates — experimental validation remains the gold standard.
We start with a brief conversation to understand your challenge. Typically we need a sense of the chemical space of interest, the performance property you care about, and how you currently make selection decisions. We can work with SMILES strings, 2D structures, supplier data sheets, or simple descriptions of your problem.
Our Approach

Rational Design,
Not Random Discovery

We provide the computational layer between your chemical intuition and the laboratory bench.

The Challenge

Modern materials R&D must evaluate thousands of potential molecules, additives, and formulations. Traditional trial-and-error experimentation is slow, expensive, and often explores only a tiny fraction of the possible design space.

Our Approach

We apply physics-based computational screening to evaluate candidate molecules before laboratory testing — allowing R&D teams to focus their experimental resources on the most promising leads.

What We Do
  • Rank candidates by relative theoretical performance
  • Identify molecular reasons for failure (mechanism)
  • Screen hundreds of concepts to find the top 5%
  • Support decisions with physics-based simulations and clear rationale
What We Don't Do
  • Replace experimental validation
  • Claim perfect absolute prediction of bulk properties
  • Use "black box" algorithms without physical basis
  • Synthesise or test materials physically
Process

The Screening
Workflow

A systematic approach to narrowing the search space.

01

Candidate Intake

We begin by defining the search space. You provide candidate structures (SMILES / 2D representations), a defined chemical family, or a list of supplier options. We align on the key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your application.

02

Computational Evaluation

We configure physics-based simulations — primarily DFT and related electronic-structure methods — tailored to the property of interest. This step is computationally intensive and is executed on high-performance clusters appropriate to the scope of the study.

03

Interpretation & Ranking

Raw data is meaningless without context. We analyse the computed descriptors against your KPIs, identifying trade-offs and ranking candidates by relative likelihood of meeting experimental objectives.

04

Shortlist Handoff

The final deliverable is a technical report detailing the top candidates, the rationale for their selection, and risk factors. This allows your lab team to focus synthesis efforts on the most promising leads.

"The goal is not to replace the chemist, but to give them a map."

Engagement

Engagement
Models

We structure our work around your R&D questions, not rigid packages.

Exploratory

Exploratory Project

For early-stage feasibility.

A tightly scoped initial project designed to define the viable design space and inform the next phase of work. Establishes the modelling framework and feasibility boundaries.

  • Initial property estimation
  • Feasibility flags
  • Comparison against a benchmark
Discuss Scope →
Most Common

Shortlist Report

For experimental prioritisation.

Our core engagement. We screen a defined library of candidates against agreed KPIs to produce a prioritised shortlist for experimental validation. Includes full data interpretation and mechanistic rationale.

  • Custom library generation
  • Multi-property optimisation
  • Detailed technical report
Start a Conversation →
Ongoing

Research Partner

For continuous support.

For teams requiring recurring computational input across multiple questions. Work is structured as a series of defined projects, informed by evolving experimental data.

  • Iterative design support
  • Method development
  • Priority compute access
Contact Us →
About

About
Moltera

A specialist computational chemistry consultancy serving industrial R&D.

Moltera was established to bridge the gap between academic computational chemistry and industrial materials development. While physics-based modelling is a powerful tool, it is often underutilised in industry due to time, cost and integration constraints.

We are a founder-led consultancy with deep expertise in molecular simulation and computational screening. We are not a software vendor; we work on focused, project-based engagements aligned to specific R&D questions.

Our methodology is grounded in first-principles physics. We believe that robust decision support requires understanding why a molecule performs, not just that it might.

Our Focus

We work primarily with R&D teams in sectors where molecular design is critical: coatings, additives, adhesives, and specialty formulations.

Our Promise

To provide objective, data-driven guidance that respects the complexity of materials science and the practical constraints of the laboratory.

Contact

Start a
Conversation

We invite technical leads and R&D managers to discuss their screening challenges.

Enquiries
enquiries@moltera.co.uk
Location
Swansea, United Kingdom
Serving clients globally

NDA available on request prior to any substantive discussion.