IIT Roorkee Advances Solid-State Battery Research

IIT Roorkee has advanced research on solid-state batteries through studies on lithium-ion transport in solid materials, technology transfer in rechargeable batteries, and collaboration on sustainable battery ecosystems. The work includes research on garnet solid electrolytes, commercial transfer of lithium-ion battery technologies, and a memorandum of understanding with WRI India on clean energy transition.

Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel electrolyte. These batteries are studied for higher energy density, improved safety, and reduced risk of thermal runaway compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Conventional lithium-ion batteries can face dendrite formation, which is the growth of needle-like lithium structures that may cause short circuits. Solid electrolytes are also examined for their stability and their ability to support faster ion movement.

Garnet Solid Electrolytes

IIT Roorkee’s Energy Storage Laboratory works on oxide-based solid electrolytes, including garnet-type materials such as Li7La3Zr2O12. Garnet solid electrolytes are known for high ionic conductivity and chemical stability, which makes them relevant for all-solid-state battery design. The study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society introduced a framework called time-scale renormalisation of correlation decay for understanding lithium-ion transport in garnet solid electrolytes. The research was led by Prof. Swastika Banerjee from the Department of Chemistry.

Battery Technology Transfer and Collaboration

On 23 May 2026, IIT Roorkee transferred two lithium-ion battery technologies developed by Prof. Anjan Sil to Cathion Energy Private Limited for commercial use. The technologies focus on faster charging, higher power density, and improved electrochemical performance in rechargeable batteries. These technologies are designed to reduce charging time to under 10 minutes from about one hour. IIT Roorkee also signed an MoU with WRI India on 27 June 2026 for work on sustainable battery ecosystems, circular economy, critical minerals, and clean energy transition.

Important Facts for Exams

• Solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes.
• Li7La3Zr2O12 is a garnet-type solid electrolyte studied for all-solid-state batteries.
• Thermal runaway is a safety risk associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries.
• WRI India works on environment and sustainable development-related research.

Related Institutional and Startup Context

IIT Roorkee has an incubated startup named Indi Energy, which won the Best Startup award in the Energy Storage category at the National Startup Awards 2022. The startup developed sodium-ion batteries using farm waste, and sodium-ion batteries are studied as a safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries with higher heat tolerance.