Indian university opens lithium- and sodium-ion battery research center

India’s MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU), in Pune, has opened a battery fabrication and research facility focused on lithium- and sodium-ion technology. The center is designed for end-to-end battery development, from active-material synthesis to coin cell fabrication and electrochemical performance evaluation.

The MIT-WPU research team is developing advanced electrode materials to enhance key battery performance parameters, including energy density, cycling stability, and operational safety. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to develop next-generation solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and thermal stability.

The facility is also exploring innovative approaches such as the use of glass-polymer composite electrolytes and the development of paper-based batteries, in collaboration with Mid Sweden University. Additionally, it has initiated work on the synthesis of high-purity solvents and electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.

Soon, the facility will also be equipped to manufacture cylindrical and prismatic cells, expanding its capabilities for a wider range of battery applications.

“As the first such initiative by a private state university in India, this facility aligns with national missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat [Self-reliant India] and Make in India,” said Bharat Kale, director of the Centre of Excellence in Materials Science at MIT-WPU and former director of the Ministry of Economics and Information Technology’s Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology at MIT-WPU. “It not only fosters academic and industry collaboration but also serves as a vital platform for training future talent.”

From pv magazine India.