Electrochemical Power Sources (ECPS) division concentrates on research activities relating to development of different energy storage systems and offers consultancy as well as remedial measures for problems referred by battery industries. This division has expertise in the field of lead acid batteries, [deep discharge lead-acid batteries for photovoltaic applications, maintenance free lead- acid batteries for UPS and defence applications], Nickel-iron batteries for AC coaches and railway signalling, Magnesium-Organic batteries for low temperature operation up to -40ºC, Nickel-metal hydride and Magnesium-silver chloride batteries for electronics, electric vehicles and navy applications. ECPS focuses on development of different types electrode materials for anode, cathode and polymer electrolyte for Lithium-ion and Li-ion polymer batteries used in electronics and electric vehicles, Zinc-bromine redox flow battery and Lead foam based supercapacitors for energy storage application. ECPS division has got the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories [NABL] for testing different types of lead acid batteries at Battery Performance Testing and Evaluation Centre [BPTEC]. This Division comprises 13 Scientists, 4 Senior Technical Officers, 13 Research scholars ( JRF & SRF ) and 12 Project assistants. In addition, B.Tech students of this institute and M.Sc., M.Tech and M.Phil. students of various universities carry out their project work under the supervision of our scientists.
A ready and affordable supply of energy is essential for maintaining the standard-of-living of the developed world. Irrespective of the source, an effective storage system is critical for the efficient use of the energy. The developments of effective and affordable means to store electrical energy for an ever-increasing number of applications present a major challenge to scientists, technologies and engineers. In most modern –and large-scale energy-storage functions led-acid batteries, in one form or another, have been the technology of choice. The key technical challenge to be met in maximizing battery performance involves facilitating continual supply, contact and interaction of reactants, high specific energy and columbic efficiency, good operational life , maintenance and acceptance cost. It is in these direction research is being pursued in this division. In order to compete globally and locally the division offers services to the battery industries in getting their product validations. Technical consultancies, solution to the problems faced by the industries are also addressed