Palani Balaya

Research Interest and Capabilities

Developing ultra-safe battery materials and technologies

• High power Li-ion batteries
• High energy Na-ion batteries
• Quantification of heat generation (reversible/irreversible) in commercial type cells
• Quantification of various components contributing to internal resistance of the cells
• Quantitative analysis of impedance data using Distributed Relaxation Time (DRT) method
• Addressing interface properties of materials for facile ionic and electronic conduction

Research activities

My research programme on battery spans from fundamentals to outcome based achievements. At one hand, we focus on fundamental research developing novel concepts and electrode materials for high power lithium-ion battery and high energy sodium-ion battery, and the other hand we focus extensively on translational research developing proto-types of various cell chemistries close to industry standards without compromising safety.

Developed several cathode materials for Li-ion battery and Na-ion battery in our laboratory using solution based synthesis methods: LiMnFePO4, Li3V2(PO4)3, Li2MnSiO4, Na3V2(PO4)3, O3-type NaCuNiFeMTiO2 and P3-type NaFeMnO2.

Developed several titanate based anode materials for both Li-ion cells and Na-ion cells.

Set up kilo-scale lab (5L, 20L, 200L reactors) for production of electrode materials (up to 4-5kg/batch).

Set-up pilot line with two dry rooms (20% RH and 1%RH) for fabrication of 18650 and pouch cells.

Developed non-flammable electrolyte for Na-ion battery.

Developed non-flammable Na-ion cells (18650 format) with high rate of discharge (~5C, 12 min) and 1000 cycles retaining 78% capacity.

Developed water based eco-binder for fabrication of Li-ion battery.

Developed several know-hows related to electrolyte additives for Na-ion cells to suppress gassing and corrosion of the large format cells.