CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, inaugurated the ‘One Week One Theme (OWOT)’ event on the Energy and Energy Devices (EED) along with other sister CSIR laboratories on 24 June 2024.

Dr Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, gave the welcome remarks and briefly highlighted the CSIR’s work in the Energy and Energy Devices theme, focusing on Hydrogen technologies, Next Gen batteries, Bio-fuels, Solar harvesting and storage, and coal-based fuels. Dr (Mrs) N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, New Delhi, in her message, spoke about the initiative of ‘One Week One Theme’ and highlighted the cutting-edge technologies being developed in EED theme in various CSIR labs.

Chief Guest Dr Surya Moganty, Head of Technology at L&T Energy, delivered a keynote address titled “Energy Transition: From Materials Perspective” and inaugurated the exhibition at the ‘One Week One Theme (OWOT)’ programme. Dr Moganty’s presentation was divided into two main parts. In the first part, he discussed energy minerals and materials, emphasising the critical need for specific minerals and the opportunities this presents. He elaborated on the importance of recycling and creating a circular economy, highlighting technological innovations that utilise earth-abundant materials.

The second part of his talk focused on the safety of lithium-ion batteries from an electrolyte perspective. He explained how to investigate cell-level thermal stability and the significant role that liquid electrolytes play. Dr Moganty discussed the use of known flame retardants, the molecular engineering of phosphorus compounds, and how to control the cathode-electrolyte interface. He detailed the process of investigating the thermal stability of batteries, the properties of commercial lithium-ion electrolytes, and the benefits of engineered phosphorus compounds. He emphasised the need to optimise electrolytes for both safety and performance. Dr Moganty concluded by saying that innovation is the key to moving forward. He highlighted the potential advancements in batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells, along with improvements in recycling technologies to foster a circular economy.

Following the inaugural session, two major technical sessions featured prominent experts sharing their insights on cutting-edge technologies. Along with this, Student outreach activities were in progress in parallel with the above events.

In the first technical session, Dr Jayanta Mukhopadhyay, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIRCGCRI, commenced the discussions with an in-depth exploration of “Solid Oxide Electrolysers and Fuel Cells.” He was followed by Dr K Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, who presented his thoughts on “Next Gen Batteries,” shedding light on advancements in battery technology and its future prospects. Dr Sanat Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IIP, then discussed “Alternate Biofuels,” highlighting innovative approaches and their potential impact on sustainable energy solutions. Concluding the first session, Dr C Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, spoke on “Agrophoto Voltaics (PV) & Building Integrated PVs,” discussing the integration of photovoltaic technologies in agriculture and building infrastructures.

The second technical session continued with enlightening presentations from other distinguished speakers. Dr Prashant Dhakephalkar, Director, ARI, began with a comprehensive overview of “Bio Hydrogen,” emphasising its role in the future energy landscape. Following him, Dr Sarika Kelkar, Programme Lead for Batteries at KPIT, provided further insights into “Next Gen Batteries,” reinforcing the importance of advancements in battery technology. Dr Sasisankar Padmanabhan, Praj Matrix, shared his views on “Alternate Biofuels,” exploring alternative sources and their applications. The session concluded with Prof. Shaibal Sarkar, Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, who spoke on “Next Gen Solar Devices,” discussing innovations and future developments in solar technology.

The programme concluded with interacting with the local press and media, allowing for further discussion and dissemination of the valuable insights shared during the sessions.