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 in large-scale software and machine learning with companies including Google, and built a crypto arbitrage trading system before starting Atomic Tessellator in 2022. 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.
- Talks about
- AI, Deep Tech & Science
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
Atomic Tessellator is an Auckland company building software that simulates materials at the atomic level, so scientists can design and test new materials before making…
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Across the network.
Backers of Atomic Tessellator heard on Day One
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