Aravind Kumar Chandiran is currently associate professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras. He is leading the Hyundai hydrogen valley innovation hub at the institute. His group is working on various aspects of solar energy storage and conversion including green hydrogen, photo-electrochemistry, metal-air batteries and lithium-ion battery operational safety. His work ranges from atomic-level material tuning to product prototyping. His team works closely with government agencies and industries to solve energy-related problems. Some of their flagship research outcomes include the development of kWh scale, low-cost and safe mechanically rechargeable zinc-air batteries; indigenously developed battery safety analysis station that can simulate electrical, mechanical and thermal abuse; a grid independent building at IIT Madras using various energy storage devices including lithium-ion batteries and green hydrogen; and the development of one of the brightest white light emitters. Chandiran is passionate about hydrogen economy.
According to Chandiran, the most exciting part of any faculty job is being a teacher and a learner at the same time. “I enjoy the company of young and brilliant minds coming from different parts of the country, who aspire to solve the world’s most challenging tasks. IIT Madras provides a great platform to carry out high-end research. The institute, I can confidently say, is the best place to do research, where we get the opportunity to push the limits and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of this system,” he says.
His research expertise is focused on developing green hydrogen systems covering generation and utilisation. “We have a good and extremely motivated team at IIT Madras. All I have to do is show directions and let my team complete the mission. I have visions for my research, which I convey to them. My team not only does the execution part but also adds their vision to mine to make it even bigger. Embracing and appreciating the brilliance of my students enable us to target bigger scientific goals,” says Chandiran.
In his spare time, Chandiran likes to have discussions with students in the coffee shop. “I am inspired by the prime minister’s vision of creating energy independence. As a member of the research fraternity, I want to do my part in the hydrogen space to meet our nation’s expectations. Hydrogen for a cleaner and greener environment and appropriate technological intervention is all I want to accomplish,” he says.
Chandiran did his PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and post doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley.
