Mumbai: MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) has officially launched the MIT WPU Battery Research Center, the country’s first battery innovation facility established by a private university.
This pioneering center focuses on next-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technologies, reinforcing India’s goals under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The MIT WPU Battery Research Center is a fully integrated setup with end-to-end capabilities – ranging from active material synthesis and coin cell fabrication to advanced electrochemical performance evaluation.
Designed to serve both academic and industrial R&D needs, the center is actively developing high-performance electrode materials, enhancing energy density, cycle life, and safety.
MIT WPU Battery Research Center: Focus Areas of Research
- Solid-State Electrolytes (SSEs): Development of safer, high-conductivity materials
- Paper-Based Batteries: Eco-friendly, flexible energy storage prototypes
- Glass-Polymer Composite Electrolytes: Enhancing battery efficiency and durability
- High-Purity Solvents & Electrolytes: Supporting Indian battery manufacturers with premium raw materials
The facility is also expected to scale up for cylindrical and prismatic cell fabrication, making it suitable for a wide spectrum of industrial applications.
“With its comprehensive battery development capabilities, the MIT WPU Battery Research Center is set to become a cornerstone for India’s energy research and innovation,” said Prof Dr Bharat Kale, Director, Centre of Excellence in Materials Science at MIT-WPU and former Director of C-MET, MeitY. “We are working on technologies that include lithium-sulfur and paper batteries in partnership with MID Sweden, placing us at the global frontier of sustainable storage.”
The center also plays a key role in talent development, offering advanced research opportunities for Ph.D. scholars and training platforms for engineering and science students.
Driving India’s Energy Future
This initiative is driven by Dr Rahul Karad, Executive President of MIT-WPU, whose vision is to equip students with creative and technical competence in emerging technologies.
“The MIT WPU Battery Research Center not only strengthens MIT-WPU’s leadership in clean tech but also positions our students at the forefront of India’s green energy transition,” he noted.
National Impact
As India accelerates its shift to renewable energy, the MIT WPU Battery Research Center represents a critical step toward energy self-reliance, creating a bridge between academic excellence and real-world energy solutions.
