Our Team

Dr. Swati Sharma   August 2025 - Present

Centre for Resource Efficiency, Recyclability & Circularity in Energy Transition

I am from Haryana, India. My major research interest and experience lies in the field of electrochemistry of nanomaterials. My PhD thesis was on the topic “Fabrication of Ultrahigh Performance Supercapacitor Device with Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 based Nanocomposite”. I received my doctoral degree from NIT Kurukshetra, Haryana. I hold Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Physics, which I obtained from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (KUK). 

I am currently pursuing a Postdoctoral Position at IITM focusing on battery recycling.

Lakshmi Narayana Manickavasagam   July 2023 - Present

Next-generation materials for Na-metal battery applications

I am from Tamil Nadu, India and I am profoundly interested in developing materials and devices for sustainable energy. 

I completed my Bachelors in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering (2019 - 2023) at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute and as an undergraduate research assistant, I fabricated vertically aligned cobalt hydroxide nanosheets and analysed its potential as a bifunctional catalyst for water splitting. 

Currently, I am working on the development of Na-metal batteries enabled by NASICON solid electrolyte to address grid level energy storage

Kowsika Murugesan   July 2025 - Present

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries using Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Plastic Technology from CIPET, Chennai. After graduation, I worked for three years in industrial research with the R&D and Technical Services team at Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited. Then, I spent a year at CIPET, Bengaluru, where I developed electrochemical biosensors. After that, I joined a research project at NIT Trichy. There, I worked on NASICON-structured flexible nanofibrous electrolyte sheets for all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries. 

I am currently pursuing a PhD through the IITM – Deakin Joint PhD Program, focusing on developing and understanding the working of ionic liquid electrolyte based lithium-sulfur batteries.

Nishant Chavhan   July 2025 - Present

Melt-Processable Solid Electrolyte for Solid-State Batteries 

I am from Maharashtra. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune. During my undergraduate studies, my research focused on Hydrodynamic cavitation for industrial wastewater treatment, where I worked on energy-efficient and eco-friendly approaches to advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Following this, I joined the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, where I worked on the development of spinel-decorated electrocatalysts for overall water splitting reactions and energy storage applications, particularly in supercapacitors. 

Currently, I am working on the Development of next-generation solid-state batteries.

Saikumar Parshanaboina August 2025 - Present

High Energy Cathode Materials with Non-Fluorinated Electrolytes 

I am from Nalgonda, Telangana. I completed my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) dual degree in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) in 2024. During my Master’s research, I worked on the development of NASICON-structured cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. After that, I joined NIT Agartala as a Project Associate-I, where my research focused on biomass-derived anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

I am currently pursuing a PhD through the IITM – Deakin Joint PhD Program, focusing on High Energy cathodes with fluorine-free electrolytes for next-generation lithium batteries.

Kiranmai Paluri May 2025 - Present

Development of Novel Anode-free Sodium-ion Batteries

I am from Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh. I have done my B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh. Later on, I joined as a research Intern at IIT Hyderabad, where I worked on the Linear Stability Analysis of shear-thinning fluid in a pipe. Currently, I am working on the Development of anode-free sodium ion batteries.

Shivani Bagul May 2025 - Present

New approaches for Battery Recycling 

I am from Mumbai, Maharashtra. I have completed my Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from M.G.M. College of Engineering and Technology, Navi Mumbai. Currently, I am working on the development of new approaches for Battery Recycling.

Sai Vijaya Koppisetty October 2025 - Present

New Sodium-ion battery materials

I am from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. I completed my bachelor's in Chemical engineering from Andhra University, post which I joined Tata Chemicals and worked as an assistant manager- EHS for 2+ years. I am currently work on developing new materials for sodium ion batteries.

Ravichandra Kellampalli October 2025 - Present

Hydrometallurgical processing of spent Li-ion batteries

I’m from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. I’m passionate about creating efficient and sustainable technologies that make energy cleaner and more accessible. I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from NIT Surat. Currently, I’m working on recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using hydrometallurgical methods. 

Vijay Songa October 2025 - Present

Cathode Active Material Development for Li-ion Batteries

I am from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, deeply passionate about battery technology and its potential to enable efficient, sustainable, and cleaner energy solutions for a more accessible future. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from RVR & JC College of Engineering. Currently, I am working on the enhancement of lithium-ion battery performance, through development of new cathode materials

Abraham Samuel Thangadurai January 2025 - Present

Development of NASICON Solid Electrolytes 

I am from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu and I have a strong interest in developing sustainable battery technologies. I completed my Bachelors of Technology in Chemical Engineering (2021 - 2025) at SASTRA University, Thanjavur. I am currently working on NASICON-based materials for solid state and sea water batteries. 

Kaviraj S. K. July 2025 - Present

Development of Ion-selective Membranes for Battery Recycling Applications

I'm from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. I've completed my bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from SASTRA UNIVERSITY. I've worked in Hydrodynamics study in bubble column and metal recovery from E-Waste. Currently I'm working on Ion-selective Membranes for Battery Recycling Applications.

Nithyasree M. September 2025 - Present

Development of New Recycling Strategies for spent Lithium-ion Batteries

I am from Salem, Tamil Nadu, and I completed my Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. I have a strong interest in battery recycling and have worked as an intern with the EMERGE group at IIT Madras, where I focused on the extraction of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Currently, I am working on new LIB recycling strategies.