Research Projects

Electric mobility is vital for combating climate change, and a self-reliant ecosystem will establish India as a leader in tropical regions. GOI initiatives like NEMMP, FAME-India, Energy, and Battery Storage aim for 30% EV adoption by 2030. However, battery safety, limited lifespan, inadequate infrastructure, and import reliance are bottlenecks. Te-MobiX initiative addresses these gaps through innovative, indigenous solutions across two phases. Phase I will focus on mitigating battery degradation through experiments and physics-based models to improve the energy density of existing battery packs to 250 Wh/kg equipped with intelligent BMS (iBMS) to offer improved cell balancing and detect material ageing. Also, the initiative will optimize second-life battery utilization to establish a circular economy and introduce a Battery Health Analysis Indicator (BHAI), supporting NITI Aayog’s Battery Swapping Policy by providing actionable insights into the battery health and price matrix. Phase I will also focus on the strategic development of a Zn-air battery, ensuring actionable research and implementation pathways. Battery degradation during cyclic (fast charging at higher voltage) and calendar ageing is driven by chemical and thermo-mechanical factors. Comprehensive research spanning from atomistic-scale to pack-level is essential. Phase I will investigate chemical degradations, such as phase changes, gas evolution, SEI and dendrite growth, Li-plating, and electrolyte decomposition by performing electrochemical and post-mortem analyses. Mitigation strategies include advanced interfacial engineering, engineered separators, multifunctional surface coatings, and complex fluid-based electrolytes. Thermo-mechanical degradation will be addressed through calorimetric analyses, pack modelling, and the development of flame-retardant, biodegradable packaging materials like waste-derived foams and advanced phase change materials. The project emphasizes electrical efficacy through an iBMS featuring adaptive charging, ripple filtering, precise cell balancing, and a supercapacitor-integrated power processing unit to prevent thermal runaway. Phase I will also establish frameworks for the 2nd-life of batteries using battery traceability. A Battery Resource for Implementation, Characterization & Safety (BRICS) unit will be the cornerstone of this initiative, addressing essential battery research needs while serving as a revenue-generating facility. Phase II will expand on Phase I, focusing on Indigenous Battery Fabrication, guided by multi-scale modelling to develop advanced batteries like LMFP, Li-metal, and all-solid-state Na-ion for applications in e-flights, space, and naval operations. Sustainable recycling methods will be explored to promote environmental responsibility. Te-MobiX will deliver high-energy, high-power batteries and prioritize safety. BHAI metric, circular economy frameworks, iBMS, and BRICS will set benchmarks for battery safety and sustainability.