Pondicherry University bags three patents for innovative energy storage applications

Researchers at Pondicherry University have bagged three patents for energy storage applications driven by green technologies.

A press note from the University said one of the patents granted by the Controller of Patents, Government of India, was for the development of sustainable electrode materials and design fabrication for lithium-ion and lithium-air batteries and hybrid energy device application.

The ‘Lithium-Air Electrochemical Cell with Catalyzation Composition from Dry Cell Bobbins and Preparation Method’ was developed by a team, led by P. Elumalai, Head, Department of Green Energy Technology, Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies.

Another patent, ‘Sustainable Derived Electrodes for Hybrid Energy Storage Device and Lithium-Ion Battery and Fabrication’, jointly granted to Pondicherry University and Central Power Research Institute, demonstrates the extraction of carbon and generation of Lithium Manganese Oxide cathode from the bobbin of the spent dry cell, which is a primary e-waste being generated globally.

The spent bobbin, after being enriched with certain composition, was used as an efficient air cathode for lithium-air battery, which has delivered a high energy density compared to present lithium-ion battery. Additionally, the carbon electrode generated was explored as an efficient electrode material for lithium-ion battery and hybrid energy storage applications.

The third patent was for the ‘Carbon Electrode from Spent Walnut Shell for Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Supercapacitor and Lithium-Ion,’ an innovation that showcased the transformation of the sustainable waste by turning a spent walnut shell into an efficient alternate anode material for lithium-ion battery and supercapacitor. This involved extraction of the carbon from the spent walnut shell as an anode for lithium-ion battery, demonstrating the conversion of the waste into a valuable resource.

According to Prof. Elumalai, the electrochemical energy storage group in the Department of Green Energy Technology, has been pioneering the development of high capacity, high-energy electrode materials for various energy storage applications.

These included lithium-ion battery, sodium-ion battery, lithium-sulphur battery, metal-air battery, supercapacitors and supercapatteries — a combination of supercapacitors and batteries.

“The examination reports for four other patent applications have been filed and the results are awaiting final approval,” he said.

Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor K. Tharanikkarasu felicitated the team of researchers on securing the patents and complimented their efforts to push the frontiers of science and technology, particularly in the field of energy storage.

Published - November 27, 2024 08:44 pm IST