In December 2024, Amartya Mukhopadhyay, Professor at the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay), was honoured with the Tata Transformation Prize in Sustainability for his groundbreaking work in developing sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology. By focusing on Na-ion batteries, which are more affordable, safer, possess better fast charging capability, possess wider temperature window of operation and are more sustainable compared to ‘traditional’ lithium-ion (Li-ion) counterparts, Mukhopadhyay is forging a path towards a cleaner, more self-reliant energy future for the country.
Launched in 2023, the Tata Transformation Prize aims to identify and support visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address India’s most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare.
Journey into Material Science - from Durgapur to Oxford
Mukhopadhyay’s passion for science dates back to his childhood. Growing up, the support and encouragement of his parents profoundly influenced him. The interactive way his teachers taught and demonstrated science at his school also inspired him. Throughout his school years, Mukhopadhyay gravitated towards science, eventually leading him to the interdisciplinary field of materials science and engineering. After a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Regional Engineering College Durgapur (now NIT Durgapur) in 2003 and an M Tech in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 2006, he left for the University of Oxford, UK, for a Doctor of Philosophy (D Phil) in Materials.
“I was fortunate and privileged to join a top institution like Oxford. The environment there was very academic and research-oriented. Even those who were not experts in your field would still ask thought-provoking questions and engage in academic/research conversations. I learnt a lot by being there,” remarks Mukhopadhyay about his enriching time at Oxford.
As he learnt more about the structure, mechanics, and electrochemistry of materials and their properties, his interest in engineering burgeoned, setting the stage for his future career in materials science and engineering. On completing his studies and despite the opportunities in the international arena, he remained committed to returning to India to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
“I wanted to contribute to the country, so the plan was always to come back,” says Mukhopadhyay.
Journey back to India - from Oxford to IIT Bombay
In particular, IIT Bombay was close to Mukhopadhyay’s heart. The institution's reputation for excellence in science and engineering education/research and Mukhopadhyay's affinity for Mumbai made it a natural choice. Growing up, Mukhopadhyay deeply admired Mumbai, mainly because it was home to icons such as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and singer Lata Mangeshkar, who had inspired him greatly as a young boy.
Talking about starting at IIT Bombay, he says, “I remember, as a young researcher, I was nervous to ask for Institute funding for specific equipment, but just with a meeting of around 5-10 mins, they approved my funding, which is very encouraging as a young faculty. The students and faculty here are highly motivated and informal, which makes the environment very encouraging.”
At IIT Bombay, Mukhopadhyay soon took on a formidable challenge within the battery domain: the development of sodium-ion batteries. With India’s limited reserves of crucial lithium-ion battery materials like lithium and cobalt, there is an urgent need to identify viable alternatives. Enter sodium-ion technology (Na-ion), which promises a more sustainable, affordable option with many benefits over ‘traditional’ Li-ion systems.
“I remember a friend once told me that, with the electric vehicle boom, we will have to shift our imports from Petrochemicals from the Middle East to lithium from elsewhere in the world. These words remained with me. They reminded me that we need technology that can be produced within the country, including the raw materials, and be self-reliant” says Mukhopadhyay about his motivation to take up Na-ion battery development.
Sodium sources, unlike lithium, are abundantly available in India, ensuring a stable supply chain for producing these batteries and reducing the country's dependence on imports. Na-ion batteries are also cost-effective, promising to be at least 20-25% cheaper. Additionally, they can operate over a wider temperature range and present fewer storage hazards, enhancing their safety profile. These factors make sodium batteries ideal for a tropical nation like India.
Indigenous and Sustainable Batteries for India
Mukhopadhyay soon established the Advanced Batteries & Ceramics Laboratory at IIT Bombay, focusing on alkali metal-ion battery systems. He began working on the hurdles to the adoption of Na-ion batteries.
“Back then, many people told me this was impossible, and sodium-ion could never replace lithium-ion batteries. But I have to thank DST, SERB and a few industries for their research grants, which helped me pursue this research,” says Mukhopadhyay.
Today, the lab’s research addresses several hurdles that have historically limited the adoption of sodium-ion batteries, namely their energy density and stability when exposed to environmental factors. His innovative work in developing air- and water-stable sodium-transition metal oxide cathodes has paved the way for more durable and practical battery solutions. To tackle the challenges of environmental exposure, Mukhopadhyay's team designed cathodes that resist damage caused by ambient air, moisture and even water, which are prevalent obstacles in the processing of traditional battery materials.
Talking about the challenges in adopting Na-ion batteries, Mukhopadhyay says, “Sodium-ion batteries still face challenges such as improving energy density and stability of the batteries. High-capacity cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries are also difficult to handle since they are highly hygroscopic (absorb and retain moisture). We are working on solving these problems.”
Additionally, the introduction of "aqueous processing" of cathodes is a significant innovation in battery electrode technology. By replacing toxic organic solvents with water during the fabrication of battery electrodes, the process significantly reduces costs and environmental impact. Adopting this water-based method should lead to approximately 15% savings in fabrication costs while also cutting down on energy consumption and hazardous emissions. For instance, a 1 GWh sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility utilising “aqueous processing” could potentially save around 2 million kWh of energy and prevent the release of 1,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
He went on to win several accolades for his work, including being selected as a Young Scientist awardee by the Indian Ceramic Society, Young Associate of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Founder Member - cum - Vice-President of the newly formed Battery Research Society (of India), the Swarnajayanti Fellowship, and now the Tata Transformation Prize.
Looking ahead, Mukhopadhyay intends to focus on scaling up this technology for broader applications and acknowledges that
“the award represents a vital boost to these efforts, supporting research and infrastructure development to commercialise Na-ion batteries.”
Amartya Mukhopadhyay’s journey went from being a science-inspired schoolboy to becoming a leading researcher at IIT Bombay, working on cutting-edge technologies and solving the nation's problems. By pioneering sodium-ion battery technology, he addresses India’s material scarcity and energy challenges and contributes to a global movement towards cleaner, sustainable energy solutions.
As a message to younger researchers, Mukhopadhyay signs off by saying,
“Today, there’s not much difference between science and engineering; it is all inter-disciplinary, which one must embrace. To make a real impact, it is important to attempt challenging questions, even what seems improbable, to start with; and not just do science as a job, and always target the benefit of the nation and society.”