Research Projects

The global energy demand has significantly increased due to population growth, industrialization, and economic developments. Non-renewables, such as carbon-based fossil fuels, have been responsible for a significant portion of this demand, leading to a significant increase in carbon gas emissions. India contributes about 7% of global CO2 emissions annually, while the transportation sector produces 15-20% of total GHG. Governments have enforced strict environmental regulations to limit global warming to 1.5°C, in line with India's pledge of a 40% reduction in emission intensity by 2030. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been proven as an environment-friendly option for energy storage in computing technologies and electronics, contributing to the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). However, the thermal degradation and safety issues of lithium-ion batteries at elevated temperatures pose significant challenges in the development of EVs. An efficient battery thermal management system (BTMS) is necessary for safe operation within 15-45°C. Phase change material (PCM)-based BTMS has emerged as an efficient method for improving thermal performance and heat dissipation, but limited research has limited its optimization for different battery configurations and operating conditions. This project aims to address these issues and facilitate the effective employment of lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles, laying the foundation for future work and assisting in the rapid commercialization of PCM-based thermal energy storage systems.