Washington: An Indian-origin scientist has received a USD 500,000 award to develop ultrathin metal sheets that can help produce better rechargeable batteries. The prestigious USD 500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER award was won by Gurpreet Singh, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at Kansas State University. Singh will use the award to develop ultrathin metal sheets that can help produce better rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and catalysts for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
The award will help with more than research - Singh will also organise educational activities. He is planning nanotechnology-oriented summer workshops for high school science teachers and female high school students. “I want to create excitement about the opportunities in nanotechnology and also make others aware of the challenges related to scalable manufacture and high-cost that is currently hindering introduction in practical applications,” Singh said.
With his CAREER award, Singh will study large-scale production of ultrathin sheets - a few atoms thick and several micrometres wide - of transition metal dichalcogenides, or TMDs.
Nearly 40 types of TMDs have been identified, including naturally occurring molybdenite. Little is known about the structure of TMDs and their mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties, Singh said. Some of TMDs' physical and chemical properties can address energy-related concerns. For these TMDs to improve technology, they must be produced in ultrathin sheets, Singh said.
Bulk quantities of nanosheets are necessary for energy applications, including rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and catalysts for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
No current method is available to cost-effectively produce atomically thin TMDs in large quantities, Singh said. His research aims to make that possible. Some of Singh's other research has focused on using graphene oxide to improve sodium- and lithium-ion flexible batteries and creating carbon nanotubes for better laser detectors and rechargeable batteries.
The National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development Programme is one of the foundation's most prestigious awards for supporting early career faculty who effectively integrate research and education within the context of their institution's mission.
