Materials and Devices for Energy Storage and Energy Conversion

Energy storage and conversion devices are of great interest to academic and industrial researchers. The device performance can be enhanced by designing and synthesizing materials with desirable properties. Subsequently, we conduct experiments to understand the structure and material property relationships. With a thorough understanding of the materials' properties, we fabricate devices. We can fabricate efficient dye sensitised solar cells, batteries, supercapacitors, and field effect transistors with this approach. Some of the structures are shown below.

Our recent focus has been on Li-S, Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. We work on the key components of batteries, (i) Cathode, (ii) Anode, (iii) Electrolyte salts, (iv) Additives and (v) Separators. We have developed a deceptively simple synthesis procedure for NaPF_6, which is the preferred electrolyte for sodium ion batteries. Kilograms of this electrolyte can be synthesized in couple of hours. We don't use solvents. There are no purification steps. A tabletop equipment is suffice. We don't need a plant. To complement this innovation, we work on additives. For example, the energy denisty of sodium ion batteries can be improved if the operatiing voltage is increased. Therefore, we work on organic additives. Organic additives can be added to existing electrolytes with out changing existing manufacturing of the batteries. However, those additives will impact the batteries operating votage and temperatures. Consdiering the fundamental impact and their utility in industries, we have a renewed focus on additives.   

Conversion of insulating substrates to conductors has been an objective for a long time. We use the extracts of green tea to deposit various metals on synthetic and natural substrates. The shape and size of the substrate are not restricted. A wide variety of sizes and shapes have been used to deposit metals. They are being explored in hydrogen separation, devices, shielding and smart textile applications. We have developed a scalable apparoach to prepare flexible EMI shielding substrates. EMI Shielding is a several billiion dollar market. There are a few approaches to make them. We have developed a deceptively simple process fabricate EMI shielding large area flexible substrates. We are planning to commercialise these products. The EMI shielding measurement was done by Defenese Institute of Advanced Technology.