ARAI and NCL collaborate for joint research in chemical and battery engineering for automotive application  

Pune,

August 1

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) have joined hands for a collaborative research in the field of chemical- material applications for future automotive requirements. An MoU to this effect was signed by Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director ARAI and Prof. A. K. Nangia, Director CSIR – NCL during a function held at ARAI Campus

few days back

M. R. Saraf, Senior Deputy Director and Head of the Technology Group at ARAI and Dr. Manjusha Shelke, Senior Scientist from NCL were present during the function.

In view of growing penetration and thrust on e-mobility, battery technology holds the key to wide spread, cost effective and India specific e-mobility solutions and adoption at a large. A Seed project on battery engineering has been undertaken under this umbrella MoU on battery material characterization for aging studies and new material development. M. R. Saraf, Senior Deputy Director and Head of the Technology Group at ARAI and Dr. Manjusha Shelke, Senior Scientist from NCL briefed about this joint initiative.

Speaking on the occasion Rashmi Urdhwareshe said, “This collaboration is a step forward to synergize the strengths of both these research-oriented organizations to work on safe, sustainable solutions in the automotive domain.” She further added that the collaboration will be a headway in creating an encouraging atmosphere and build confidence amongst all stakeholders.

“Though, there is enormous scope for ARAI and NCL to work together in different fields, the focus initially would be on chemical and battery engineering for automotive application. Battery has been on priority charts of the entire scientific community working in e-mobility. ARAI has been quick enough to identify this need and has been finding and collaborating with suitable partners to speed up the indigenous development of solution for this need”, she added.

While commenting on this tie-up Prof. A. K. Nangia said, “We need to work on Industry ready solutions in time. Else industry would start looking for solutions providers globally. In such case, speedy development of commercially viable technology will hold the key position. ARAI – NCL joint research can go a long way in the areas that are given as priorities by NITI Aayog, to reduce energy import bill, use of renewable and sustainable energy. Some of the areas where this partnership can work include- electric mobility, batteries, alternate fuels, fuel cells, catalyst development, 3D printing.”