Pune’s MIT-WPU Unveils India’s First Private Battery Research Centre

In a major stride toward self-reliant and sustainable energy innovation, MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU) has inaugurated India’s first battery fabrication and research centre established by a private state university.

The pioneering facility, focused on lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) technologies, marks a critical milestone in the country’s energy independence efforts under missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

Designed as a fully integrated, end-to-end battery development lab, the centre enables capabilities such as active material synthesis, coin cell fabrication, and electrochemical performance evaluation. It will support both academic and industry collaboration, accelerating innovation from the lab bench to commercial scalability.

The facility’s research team is already engaged in the development of high-performance electrode materials to improve energy density, cycle life, and operational safety. Next-generation solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), noted for their superior thermal stability and ionic conductivity, are also under development. The centre is further exploring innovative technologies such as glass-polymer composite electrolytes, paper-based batteries, and the synthesis of high-purity solvents and electrolytes to aid domestic battery manufacturers.

MIT-WPU plans to expand the lab’s capabilities soon to include the production of cylindrical and prismatic cells, supporting a wider array of battery applications in mobility and grid-scale storage.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Dr. Bharat Kale, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Materials Science and former Director of C-MET, said, “This facility marks a significant leap for MIT-WPU and India’s clean energy roadmap. We’re building foundational capabilities for Li-ion, Na-ion, and even lithium-sulfur batteries while exploring paper battery technologies in collaboration with Mid Sweden University. Our goal is to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications, with support from national agencies like ANRF.”

The facility will also act as a training ground for the next generation of battery scientists and engineers, offering advanced research opportunities to undergraduate students, Ph.D. scholars, and postdoctoral researchers.

Dr. Rahul Karad, Executive President of MIT-WPU, emphasised the university’s vision of future-ready education,"This initiative aligns with our mission to empower students with creative competence in frontier technologies, preparing them for impactful careers in India’s clean energy transition.”