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Thematic Research Areas
1. Micro Energy Harvesting and Sensing
Micro energy harvesting, where abundant ambient energy, e.g., mechanical or thermal, is converted into electricity, can help power small electronics and IoT sensors. The focus is on creating advanced, sustainable, and efficient functional materials and devices for hydrovoltaic, triboelectric, and thermoelectric energy harvesting.
Every running machine and infrastructure produces vibration that contains information about their health. The analysis of vibration properties can help us predict maintenance to minimize downtime, prevent premature failure, and eliminate costly repairs. As an application of micro energy harvesting, the group is working on creating self-powered vibration sensors for Predictive Maintenance of machinery and infrastructure. These IoT-enabled vibration sensor-based self-powered predictive maintenance systems can predict any anomaly/fault and communicate for remote monitoring. This enables industries to move towards more autonomous operations for Industry 4.0 by helping them optimize production, minimize downtime with an optimal workforce, leading to direct economic benefits.
Relevant Publications:
1. ACS Nano 2022, 16, 15805-15813
2. ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2020, 2, 2550-2562
2. Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Electrochemical Devices
2. Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Electrochemical Devices
Membranes are the heart of electrochemical devices like fuel cells. There are numerous challenges in developing a membrane that can satisfy all criteria – high ionic conductivity, high thermo-mechanical stability, high electrochemical stability, and high durability. Our group focuses on designing ion exchange membranes to address these challenges for developing fuel cells and electrolyzers with enhanced efficiency and durability. The specific focus is on the anion exchange membranes that can enable production of cheaper green hydrogen compared to the proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.
Membranes are the heart of electrochemical devices like fuel cells. There are numerous challenges in developing a membrane that can satisfy all criteria – high ionic conductivity, high thermo-mechanical stability, high electrochemical stability, and high durability. Our group focuses on designing ion exchange membranes to address these challenges for developing fuel cells and electrolyzers with enhanced efficiency and durability. The specific focus is on the anion exchange membranes that can enable production of cheaper green hydrogen compared to the proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.
The metal-ion, metal-S, metal-air, and redox flow batteries have become essential components. The current challenge is developing efficient, durable, and safer batteries, where the selection of electrolytes plays a crucial role. We focus on designing gel, solid, and composite polymer electrolytes to tackle these challenges.
The metal-ion, metal-S, metal-air, and redox flow batteries have become essential components. The current challenge is developing efficient, durable, and safer batteries, where the selection of electrolytes plays a crucial role. We focus on designing gel, solid, and composite polymer electrolytes to tackle these challenges.
Relevant Publications:
1. ACS Appl. Energy Mater 2020, 3, 1988-1999
3. Energy Saving Coatings
Along with energy generation/conversion and energy storage, the third facet of energy research, i.e., energy saving, is equally important. In this broad area, we contribute by developing functional materials that can 1) cool themselves and their surrounding by selective emission of thermal radiation (radiative cooling) and 2) materials coating that prevents biofouling and weathering for enhanced fuel efficiency.
The radiative cooling material finds application as a coating on i) rooftops for thermal management and energy saving, and ii) outdoor electronics to retain their efficiency and performance.
The radiative cooling material finds application as a coating on i) rooftops for thermal management and energy saving, and ii) outdoor electronics to retain their efficiency and performance.
Relevant Publications:
1. Nano Letters 2025, X, XXXX-XXXX
The anti-biofouling and anti-weathering materials find application as a coating on hulls of boats/ships that can save energy/fuel costs by preventing resistance in sailing caused by biofouling and anti-weathering.
The anti-biofouling and anti-weathering materials find application as a coating on hulls of boats/ships that can save energy/fuel costs by preventing resistance in sailing caused by biofouling and anti-weathering.
Along with interest in Energy Research, the group firmly believes in incorporating sustainability in research activities by i) using non or less-hazardous alternatives and using the principles of green chemistry in material synthesis, ii) using abundant, renewable, industrial by-product or other waste feedstocks for new functional materials, iii) utilizing alternative, sustainable, and energy-efficient material preparation and processing methods, and iv) considering scalability, practicability, and economy in the material design and their preparation processes.
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