Energy materials research is all about designing, understanding, and improving materials that can generate, store, convert, or save energy more efficiently, cheaply, and sustainably.

The main objectives are to:

• Increase energy efficiency

• Reduce cost and environmental impact

• Improve stability, lifetime, and safety

• Enable renewable and clean energy technologies

Key examples:

• Solar cells

  • Silicon (c-Si, a-Si)

  • Thin films: CdTe, CIGS

  • Perovskite solar cells

• Thermoelectric materials

  • Bi₂Te₃, PbTe (convert heat → electricity)

• Photocatalysts

  • TiO₂, ZnO for water splitting and hydrogen generation

• Fuel cell materials

  • Proton exchange membranes (Nafion)

  • Electrocatalysts (Pt, Ni, Co-based)

Advanced ceramic materials are high-performance inorganic, non-metallic solids engineered to deliver exceptional properties under extreme conditions. Unlike traditional ceramics, they are designed with precise compositions and microstructures to achieve high strength and hardness, excellent thermal and chemical stability, wear and corrosion resistance, and unique electrical, magnetic, or optical functions.

They are broadly classified into structural ceramics (e.g., alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, silicon nitride) used in cutting tools, bearings, armor, and high-temperature components, and functional ceramics (e.g., piezoelectric, ferroelectric, dielectric, ionic-conducting ceramics) used in sensors, actuators, capacitors, fuel cells, and electronic devices. Because of their reliability and multifunctionality, advanced ceramics play a critical role in aerospace, energy, electronics, biomedical implants, and renewable technologies.

Self-cleaning smart glass is an advanced functional glass that combines smart optical control with surface engineering to reduce dirt, dust, and maintenance.

It works mainly through photocatalytic and hydrophilic coatings, typically based on TiO₂. Under sunlight (UV), the coating breaks down organic contaminants, while its super-hydrophilic surface allows rainwater to spread evenly and wash away dirt without leaving streaks. When integrated with smart glass technologies (electrochromic, thermochromic, or photochromic), it can also control light transmission, heat gain, and privacy in real time.

Because of these features, self-cleaning smart glass is widely used in buildings, solar panels, automotive windshields, skylights, and display windows, offering energy efficiency, improved visibility, and reduced cleaning cost.

This research project focuses on developing and characterizing advanced electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries to improve energy density, cycling stability, charging efficiency, and safety. The study will investigate novel anode and cathode materials, surface modification, and electrolyte optimization. Structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties will be evaluated using techniques such as XRD, SEM, and charge–discharge testing. The expected outcome is to identify cost-effective, high-performance materials for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronic devices.

Key objectives

• Develop and optimize advanced battery electrode materials.

• Investigate the relationship between material structure and electrochemical performance.

• Improve battery capacity, cycle life, and stability.

• Explore applications in electric vehicles and solar energy storage.