In The Blink Of AI with Georgie Healy 
About Alain Richardt
Alain Richardt is the founder of Atomic Tessellator, an Auckland deep-tech startup using artificial intelligence and physics to speed up the discovery of new materials, including alternatives to rare-earth elements. He came to chemistry from a programming background, having worked on distributed infrastructure at Google before building anomaly-detection systems for a cryptomining startup. In April 2026, Atomic Tessellator raised $13 million at a $50 million valuation, led by Crane Venture Partners with In-Q-Tel, Icehouse Ventures, Global From Day One and Outset Ventures participating. On In The Blink Of AI, Richardt discussed accelerating materials discovery with AI and quantum chemistry.
In conversation.
1 episode
In The Blink Of AI with Georgie Healy Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from Accelerating Discovery: Alain Richardt on AI, Quantum Chemistry, and the Future of Materials Science.
- 2:21Alain’s Early Chemistry Adventures & Favourite Element (Molybdenum)
- 5:12Mercury Experiments: Crazy Ideas & Influential Teachers
- 8:19Why Alain Founded Atomic Tessellator: Fixing Broken Chemistry Tools
- 11:38Force Field vs. Quantum (DFT) Simulations Explained
- 15:25How Cloud Computing & AI are Revolutionising Chemistry Simulations
- 17:53Promising Applications: Fusion Reactors & Plasma-Facing Materials
- 23:08When AI Simulations Go Rogue: Unexpected (and Expensive) Results
- 26:04Decoding AI Headlines: Schrödinger’s Cat & Quantum Computing Explained
- 35:09Measuring Success as a Founder: Experimental Parity & New Material Discoveries
- 41:39Hot Takes: Periodic Table Merch, Atomic Cocktails, and the Joy of Being a Rebel Founder
In their own words.
“It is certainly easier to teach a programmer physics than teach a physicist programming.”
The path so far.
- Now
Founder · Atomic Tessellator
- Earlier
Software Engineer, distributed infrastructure · Google
Sources: nztechpodcast.com
Atomic Tessellator on Day One
We’re building the world’s most ambitious ab-initio, in-silico material discovery platform. Our goal is to reimagine the way material scientists conduct experiments, by…
1 person · 1 episode
Across the network.
Backers of Atomic Tessellator heard on Day One
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Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 25 September 2026
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