TY - JOUR T1 - Closed-World Training in an Open Materials Universe AU - Natalia Petrova AU - Elena Stoyanova AU - Ivan Dimitrov JF - Journal of Computational and Data-Driven Materials Engineering JO - J. Comput. Data-Driven Mater. Eng. SN - 3149-9368 Y1 - 2024 VL - 3 IS - 1 SP - 109 N2 - In the rapidly evolving field of computational and data-driven materials engineering, machine learning models are increasingly trained on curated datasets that represent a closed-world approximation of material properties and behaviors. However, the broader materials universe encompasses vast, unexplored compositional spaces, dynamic environmental interactions, and emergent phenomena that defy static boundaries. This conceptual manuscript addresses the inherent tension between closed-world training paradigms—characterized by finite, labeled data regimes—and the open, infinite nature of materials discovery. We introduce a novel conceptual framework, termed the Adaptive Boundary Inference Architecture (ABIA), which integrates representation learning, uncertainty-aware feedback mechanisms, and multi-scale inference logics to navigate this disparity. ABIA conceptualizes training as a dynamic process where model boundaries adapt through iterative interactions between data representations and discovery pipelines, fostering resilience to out-of-distribution materials. By synthesizing recent advances in graph neural networks, foundation models, and autonomous systems, the framework highlights computational steering strategies that balance exploitation of known data with exploration of open spaces. Implications extend to enhanced inverse design, multimodal integration, and epistemic risk management in materials informatics, ultimately advancing sustainable and efficient materials engineering workflows. This work underscores the need for interpretive systems that transcend traditional closed-loop constraints, promoting a more holistic approach to data-driven discovery in an unbounded materials landscape. UR - https://iamrp.net/q300312652 ER -