When
Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Vilas G. Pol
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Purdue University
"From Molecular Coordination to Cryogenic Power: The Science of Extreme-Temperature Batteries"
Harshbarger 118A-A1
ABSTRACT
Recognized by the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, lithium-ion batteries underpin modern energy storage, yet cryogenic operation remains constrained by electrolyte phase behavior, limited ion mobility and slow interfacial kinetics. This seminar presents materials, electrolyte and interfacial investigations from Purdue University's Vilas Pol Energy Research (ViPER) group to enable reversible electrochemical storage under extreme cold. The discussion examines how freeze-resistant ether-based electrolytes regulate ion coordination, solvation structure and transport, while pseudocapacitive niobium tungsten oxide electrodes facilitate charge storage with reduced reliance on solid-state diffusion. Emphasis is placed on relationships among electrolyte composition, electrode wetting, desolvation barriers and interfacial charge transfer. These principles guide interpretation of pouch-cell operation down to −100 °C and ongoing investigations toward −150 °C. The seminar also examines photovoltaic–battery coupling in the heater-free CryoCharge-100 platform, connecting energy conversion, thermal behavior and electrochemical stability to establish a unified mechanistic framework for safe, resilient energy storage in extreme environments.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Vilas G. Pol is a professor of chemical engineering and deputy director of the Battery and Energy Storage Pillar at the Purdue Institute for Energy Innovation. A leading expert in energy storage, he has authored over 310 peer-reviewed research publications (h-index 67), holds 27 issued U.S. patents and has delivered more than 210 invited talks including TEDx. His inventions include numerous patents. His honors include three AIChE awards, two Guinness World Records, two R&D 100 Awards, the 2025 IEEE Power Electronics Society Energy Storage Innovation Award and the 2024 Asian American Engineer of the Year Award. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Indian Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Arts; a Senior Member of IEEE and the National Academy of Inventors; and a Fulbright Specialist. Purdue has recognized his contributions through the Faculty Scholar designation, Most Impactful Faculty Inventors recognition and multiple Outstanding Engineering Teacher honors.