Failure evidence
What didn't work, method by method
Papers report the method that worked. Theses also record what didn't. 199 methods, 8,482 failure records from 7,008 theses, plus 1,641 problems left open. Every page is built only from records whose thesis link we could open.
Machine learning & AI
31 methods
- Transformers & Attention Models 83 theses · 27 institutions
- Reinforcement Learning 81 theses · 20 institutions
- Feature Extraction & Selection 81 theses · 26 institutions
- Zero-Shot Learning 76 theses · 19 institutions
- Random Forests & Tree Ensembles 73 theses · 29 institutions
- Data Augmentation 72 theses · 24 institutions
- Autoencoders & Generative Modeling 68 theses · 20 institutions
- Dimensionality Reduction & PCA 63 theses · 23 institutions
- Graph Machine Learning 63 theses · 20 institutions
- Neural Network Architectures 62 theses · 24 institutions
- Support Vector Machines 60 theses · 22 institutions
- Anomaly Detection 56 theses · 20 institutions
- K-Means Clustering 55 theses · 28 institutions
- Probabilistic Latent Modeling 55 theses · 21 institutions
- Contrastive & Representation Learning 54 theses · 17 institutions
- Model Pruning & Compression 53 theses · 19 institutions
- Gaussian Processes 53 theses · 13 institutions
- Markov Models 53 theses · 21 institutions
- Variational Inference 53 theses · 15 institutions
- Convolutional Neural Networks 52 theses · 16 institutions
- Transfer Learning & Domain Adaptation 48 theses · 17 institutions
- Hierarchical Clustering 44 theses · 18 institutions
- Multi-Task Learning 39 theses · 16 institutions
- Recurrent Neural Networks 38 theses · 18 institutions
- End-to-End Deep Learning 38 theses · 19 institutions
- Supervised & Unsupervised Learning 37 theses · 19 institutions
- Large Language Models & Prompt Engineering 35 theses · 13 institutions
- Ensemble Learning 32 theses · 18 institutions
- Rule-Based & Expert Systems 29 theses · 16 institutions
- Natural Language Processing 27 theses · 15 institutions
- Deep Learning & Pretraining 17 theses · 11 institutions
Optimization & control
14 methods
- Convex & Mathematical Programming 104 theses · 22 institutions
- Decentralized & Distributed Control 94 theses · 24 institutions
- Regularization Methods 71 theses · 21 institutions
- Feedback & Closed-Loop Control 70 theses · 24 institutions
- Trajectory & Motion Planning 66 theses · 18 institutions
- Constrained Optimization 63 theses · 21 institutions
- Optimal Resource Allocation & Scheduling 59 theses · 17 institutions
- Multi-Objective Optimization 41 theses · 20 institutions
- Gradient Descent & Backprop 38 theses · 19 institutions
- Parameter Optimization & Hyperparameter Tuning 38 theses · 18 institutions
- Combinatorial & Discrete Optimization 26 theses · 14 institutions
- Finite State Machines & Logic Control 23 theses · 15 institutions
- Adaptive Control 22 theses · 13 institutions
- Actuation & Robotic Control 16 theses · 7 institutions
Simulation & modelling
16 methods
- Monte Carlo Simulation 66 theses · 23 institutions
- Time Series Forecasting & State-Space 62 theses · 25 institutions
- Finite Element Modeling 61 theses · 19 institutions
- Kinematic & Dynamics Simulation 61 theses · 17 institutions
- Hydrodynamic & Fluid Simulation 60 theses · 18 institutions
- Agent-Based & Multi-Agent Simulation 59 theses · 22 institutions
- Surrogate & Reduced-Order Modeling 56 theses · 15 institutions
- Stochastic Modeling 51 theses · 21 institutions
- Thermal & Heat Transfer Simulation 44 theses · 17 institutions
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation 39 theses · 15 institutions
- Structural Docking & Molecular Mechanics 37 theses · 18 institutions
- Structural Mechanics & Stress Modeling 35 theses · 14 institutions
- Density Functional Theory & Quantum Chem 31 theses · 12 institutions
- Biomechanical Modeling 29 theses · 12 institutions
- Multiscale Modeling 27 theses · 17 institutions
- Electromagnetic & Optical Simulation 22 theses · 10 institutions
Signals, sensing & imaging
23 methods
- Image Segmentation & Computer Vision 99 theses · 34 institutions
- Signal Thresholding & Edge Detection 76 theses · 26 institutions
- Spatial Mapping & GIS 76 theses · 27 institutions
- Sensor Fusion & Multimodal Integration 75 theses · 22 institutions
- Fourier & Spectral Transformation 73 theses · 22 institutions
- State Estimation & Kalman Filtering 73 theses · 21 institutions
- Remote Sensing & Satellite Imagery 69 theses · 22 institutions
- Acoustic & Audio Signal Processing 68 theses · 23 institutions
- Digital Filtering & Signal Denoising 67 theses · 25 institutions
- Image Reconstruction & Tomography 49 theses · 15 institutions
- Ultrasonic Imaging & Characterization 41 theses · 14 institutions
- Wearable & Mobile Sensing 40 theses · 18 institutions
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques 31 theses · 16 institutions
- Electrochemical Biosensors 30 theses · 12 institutions
- Optical Waveguides & Fiber Sensing 29 theses · 15 institutions
- Electron Microscopy (TEM/SEM) 26 theses · 11 institutions
- Semantic & Object Recognition 22 theses · 16 institutions
- Mass Spectrometry Imaging 17 theses · 8 institutions
- Super-Resolution Microscopy 16 theses · 8 institutions
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) 15 theses · 9 institutions
- Surface Acoustic Wave Sensing 14 theses · 8 institutions
- Surface Plasmon Resonance 14 theses · 8 institutions
- Optoelectronic & Photovoltaic Probing 12 theses · 9 institutions
Materials, chemistry & fabrication
34 methods
- Hydrogel Biomaterial Synthesis 85 theses · 27 institutions
- Transition Metal Catalysis 80 theses · 25 institutions
- Electrode & Electrolyte Design 79 theses · 24 institutions
- Thin-Film Coating & Vapor Deposition 74 theses · 25 institutions
- Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing 66 theses · 26 institutions
- Electrochemical Deposition & Synthesis 63 theses · 17 institutions
- Peptide Synthesis & Modification 59 theses · 18 institutions
- Surface Modification & Plasma Treatment 54 theses · 19 institutions
- Chemical Etching & Surface Micromachining 53 theses · 12 institutions
- X-Ray Diffraction & Crystallography 51 theses · 19 institutions
- Thermal Annealing & Calcination 51 theses · 18 institutions
- Cross-Coupling & C-H Functionalization 50 theses · 18 institutions
- Photolithography & Microfabrication 49 theses · 18 institutions
- Chemical Functionalization & Crosslinking 48 theses · 15 institutions
- Raman & Infrared Spectroscopy 46 theses · 20 institutions
- Semiconductor Doping & Implantation 46 theses · 16 institutions
- Asymmetric & Chiral Synthesis 45 theses · 17 institutions
- Fuel Cell & Battery Cycling Protocols 45 theses · 17 institutions
- Polymerization Techniques 43 theses · 14 institutions
- Laser Sintering & Ablation 42 theses · 17 institutions
- Nanoparticle Synthesis & Doping 39 theses · 13 institutions
- Porous Materials & MOFs 33 theses · 16 institutions
- Solvent Extraction & Crystallization 33 theses · 18 institutions
- Lewis Acid Catalysis 32 theses · 12 institutions
- Metal Oxide Material Engineering 32 theses · 13 institutions
- Solid-State Synthesis 31 theses · 13 institutions
- Dielectric Spectroscopy & Impedance 26 theses · 11 institutions
- Microencapsulation Technologies 24 theses · 11 institutions
- Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) 19 theses · 13 institutions
- Catalytic Degradation & Redox Cleavage 18 theses · 15 institutions
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) 18 theses · 10 institutions
- Photochemical Synthesis 13 theses · 8 institutions
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DSC) 12 theses · 10 institutions
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) 9 theses · 7 institutions
Biology & lab methods
63 methods
- Chromatography & Protein Purification 70 theses · 19 institutions
- CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing 67 theses · 23 institutions
- Genetic Circuit & Plasmid Construction 65 theses · 17 institutions
- Transient Transfection 64 theses · 19 institutions
- RT-qPCR & Nucleic Acid Amplification 64 theses · 21 institutions
- Cell Culture & Co-Culture Engineering 63 theses · 22 institutions
- Lipid & Membrane Engineering 62 theses · 20 institutions
- Microfluidics & Lab-on-a-Chip 54 theses · 16 institutions
- High-Throughput Assays & Screening 54 theses · 17 institutions
- Stem Cell & Lineage Differentiation 53 theses · 17 institutions
- Single-Cell Sequencing 50 theses · 14 institutions
- Bioinformatics Homology & Sequence Alignment 49 theses · 21 institutions
- Western Blotting & Immunoblotting 45 theses · 19 institutions
- Immunofluorescence & Confocal Microscopy 44 theses · 14 institutions
- In Vitro Binding Assays 43 theses · 16 institutions
- Targeted Drug Delivery Systems 43 theses · 17 institutions
- Vaccine Delivery & Formulation 42 theses · 18 institutions
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) 42 theses · 22 institutions
- Reporter Gene Assays 41 theses · 17 institutions
- Epigenetic & Chromatin Profiling 40 theses · 13 institutions
- Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting 40 theses · 20 institutions
- RNA Sequencing & Transcriptomics 39 theses · 11 institutions
- Live-Cell Imaging & Calcium Probing 39 theses · 14 institutions
- Biomarker Discovery & Profiling 39 theses · 12 institutions
- Phylogenetic Tree Reconstruction 38 theses · 18 institutions
- Site-Directed Mutagenesis 37 theses · 10 institutions
- Immunohistochemical Staining 36 theses · 16 institutions
- siRNA & RNA Interference Knockdown 34 theses · 18 institutions
- Cytokine Profiling & Immunomonitoring 34 theses · 11 institutions
- Transgenic & Recombinant Expression 33 theses · 16 institutions
- Gene Trap & Reporter Transgenesis 32 theses · 12 institutions
- Microbial Inoculation & Fermentation 31 theses · 17 institutions
- Constitutive Expression Systems 30 theses · 16 institutions
- Gene Deletion Engineering 29 theses · 12 institutions
- Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics 29 theses · 10 institutions
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics 29 theses · 10 institutions
- Metabolic Profiling & Metabolomics 29 theses · 9 institutions
- Microscopy Sample Cryo-Preparation 28 theses · 12 institutions
- Gel Electrophoresis & Blot Transfer 28 theses · 13 institutions
- Receptor Binding Kinetics & SPR 26 theses · 16 institutions
- Amplicon Sequencing & Metagenomics 24 theses · 14 institutions
- Cellular Apoptosis & Necrosis Assays 24 theses · 14 institutions
- Co-Immunoprecipitation Assays 23 theses · 12 institutions
- Targeted Gene Knockout 22 theses · 7 institutions
- Targeted Gene Overexpression 21 theses · 10 institutions
- Optogenetics & Neural Stimulation 21 theses · 14 institutions
- Enzyme Activity & Kinetic Assays 20 theses · 12 institutions
- Heterologous Expression 19 theses · 11 institutions
- Nanocarrier Drug Loading & Release 19 theses · 13 institutions
- Microbial Colony Screening & Selection 19 theses · 11 institutions
- Bacterial Resistance & Antibiotic Assays 18 theses · 9 institutions
- Gas & Liquid Chromatography (GC-MS/HPLC) 17 theses · 8 institutions
- Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology 16 theses · 13 institutions
- Kinase Inhibition Assays 14 theses · 8 institutions
- Small-Molecule Drug Screening 14 theses · 6 institutions
- Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) 14 theses · 8 institutions
- In Vivo Microdialysis & Ex Vivo Probing 13 theses · 8 institutions
- Protein-Protein Interaction Screening 12 theses · 7 institutions
- Solid-Phase Peptide Extraction 12 theses · 8 institutions
- Cellular Membrane Transport Probing 11 theses · 6 institutions
- Pharmacological Receptor Modulation 9 theses · 7 institutions
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) 9 theses · 7 institutions
- Conditional Gene Knockout 8 theses · 4 institutions
Causal inference & statistics
13 methods
- Bootstrap Resampling & Permutation 70 theses · 25 institutions
- Fixed Effects Panel Methods 61 theses · 23 institutions
- Propensity Score Matching 57 theses · 25 institutions
- Longitudinal Growth & Latent Curve Modeling 49 theses · 18 institutions
- Difference-in-Differences Design 48 theses · 18 institutions
- Sensitivity & Uncertainty Analysis 43 theses · 18 institutions
- Multilevel & Hierarchical Linear Modeling 41 theses · 16 institutions
- Instrumental Variable Estimation 34 theses · 14 institutions
- Survival & Proportional Hazards Modeling 30 theses · 15 institutions
- Structural Equation Modeling 22 theses · 14 institutions
- Causal Mediation Analysis 21 theses · 12 institutions
- Event Study Designs 18 theses · 10 institutions
- Moderation & Interaction Modeling 18 theses · 11 institutions
Engineering & mechanics
5 methods
- Thermal Dissipation & Heat Exchangers 62 theses · 20 institutions
- Vibration & Damping Analysis 56 theses · 20 institutions
- Friction & Wear Tribology 43 theses · 18 institutions
- Colloidal & Suspension Rheology 33 theses · 16 institutions
- Composite Material Layup & Testing 26 theses · 14 institutions
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