Development of third generation lead-acid batteries by Indian Eminent Battery Scientist - Dr. Ashok Shukla

Dr. Ashok Shukla is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and is presently a Professor & Dean Faculties at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Prior to this, on deputation from Indian Institute of Science during 2003-2009, Professor Shukla provided leadership to Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) at Karaikudi in Tamilnadu (India) as its Director, and helped transform CECRI into a leading centre in Fuel Cell R&D and engineering.

Professor Shukla has made extensive scientific and engineering contributions to the field of renewable energy, materials chemistry and electrochemical science and technology through interdisciplinary research during the last 30 years, in particular, for investigations leading to novel electro catalysts, superior lithium-ion cathodes/anodes, polymer electrolyte membranes, mixed-reactant fuel cells and low-cost high energy-density lead-acid batteries with special mention to self-supported polymer electrolyte, direct methanol and direct borohydride fuel cell systems. His innovations in tropical lead-acid batteries have been incorporated by lead-acid battery industries in their commercial products. His recent work on cost-effective hybrid ultra capacitors is remarkably innovative for quickly harvesting and storing energy, and is especially promising for memory back-up, electric and hybrid vehicles, power quality, battery improvement, portable power supplies, rural/remote area lighting and renewable energy applications. It is truly a seminal step forward in the development of third generation lead-acid batteries.

Professor Shukla has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, and has been a member of Editorial Advisory Boards of Electrochimica Acta and the Journal of Applied Electrochemistry. He is the current Editor of Bulletin of Materials Science and is also on the Editorial Board of Ionics and Materials Science & Engineering B. He has authored/co-authored about 300 scientific papers in reputed national/international journals and has over a dozen national/ international patents to his credit. Professor Shukla is recipient of several awards, and is an elected Fellow of Indian Academy of Science (FASc), National Academy of Sciences (FNASc), Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), Indian National Science Academy (FNA) and the Electrochemical Society, US. He is also the first Chair of the ECS India Chapter.