Our Research Areas and Techniques
At the P. Banerjee Energy Lab (PBEnergyLab), based in Chicago, we integrate synthetic inorganic chemistry, advanced electron microscopy, machine learning, and electrochemistry to accelerate discovery of next-generation solid electrolytes and nanoscale superionic conductors. Our work bridges atomic-level defect engineering with scalable solution processing, enabling transformative advances in solid-state batteries and energy conversion.
1. Nanoscale Ionics and Defect Engineering
We design and synthesize colloidal nanocrystals and nanoclusters of complex chalcogenides with tunable composition, morphology, and cation/anion vacancy density. Using scalable nanocrystal synthesis and phase-mapping workflows, we uncover how grain size, symmetry breaking, and defect structures govern ionic conductivity and superionic phase transitions.
2. Interface and Surface Chemistry for Ion Transport
Through surface and interface chemistry strategies to enhance ion transport, we tailor interparticle coupling and build solution-processable superionic films and inks. This work enables the translation of nanoscale design into macroscopic electrolytes and interfaces for batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid catalytic systems.
3. Data-Driven Discovery and Machine Learning
We combine atomic-resolution TEM/4D-STEM, EELS/EDS mapping, and automated Rietveld refinement with ML workflows to identify structure–morphology–property correlations across large synthetic libraries. These pipelines allow us to predict optimal compositions and grain structures for superionic behavior, shortening the discovery cycle from years to months.
4. Coupled Ion–Photon–Electron Processes
We explore how photothermal and electrochemical activation of nanocrystals can localize or enhance ionic mobility. Current projects link superionic chalcogenides with explore cross-cutting applications in catalysis and energy conversion, bridging the worlds of energy storage and catalytic conversion.
Vision
We aim to establish design rules for nanoscale superionic conductors, advancing both fundamental solid-state ionics and applied energy technologies. Our ultimate goal is to provide scalable, manufacturable pathways for safe, high-energy-density batteries and clean hydrogen systems. By combining theory with automation and AI, we’re not merely optimizing- we’re discovering entirely new families of nanoscale ionic materials
We actively seek collaborations with academic groups, industry partners, and national laboratories interested in electrolyte innovation, automated synthesis, and high-throughput discovery of solid-state ionic materials.
Synthetic mapping of metastable phases
Material classes include (metal) selenides, nitrides, sulfides, halides using hot injection quantum-dot seeded method (real data)
x-ray based structural investigations (diffraction-XRD, absorption-XANES/EXAFS, scattering-GISAXS)
Synchrotron and tabletop facilities are being used to evaluate structure-property correlations in solid electrolyte candidates
High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM, EDS, EELS) to study atomic-scale information in solid electrolytes
Scale bar is 10 nm (real data)
Lowering of activation barriers of Li+ and Na+ migration in solid electrolytes (studied using in-lab electrochemical setup with DSC, solid-state NMR, EXAFS, pair-distribution etc.)
Concept image used here is not real data
Performance studies of potential Li+ battery solid-electrolyte candidates under extreme conditions
Meet the PI
Selected as a 2026 Rising Star in Materials Science by ACS Materials Au: Invited contribution to the Rising Stars collection (in preparation)
Evolution of the PBEnergyLab
Named to ACS Materials Au’s 2026 Rising Stars in Materials Science
Recognized as a Global Rising Star: an international, editor-curated feature for early-career investigators for fundamental contributions in disseminating bottlenecks in percolation and ionic transport across ligand-capped nanocrystals for energy storage. Currently deploying a hybrid AI-inorganic engine: ML-optimized design for high-precision manual synthesis, paired with automated electrochemistry and manual microscopy featuring post-imaging AI analytics to decode transport pathways..
Establishment of PBEnergyLab: Independent PI Career
• Lead PI Publication: Disseminated mechanisms of ambient chemical lithiation in quantum-dot seeded systems (Small Structures, 19.4).
• High-Impact Review: Nano Energy (30.4) on charge transport and ligand-mediated coupling in energy storage applications.
• DOE Feature: Selected for the Department of Energy Art of Science Mural at the Forrestal Building (Washington, D.C.).
• Grants: Awarded 2025 Research Support Grant for the discovery of CuBSe₂ superionic phases.
Group Milestones: Mentored student recipients of Mulcahy, Provost, and AIC National fellowships.
Argonne National Laboratory: Core Postdoc
1 of 8 national appointees at the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM). Discovered novel high-pressure CsCl-type structures in copper selenides via GSECARS beamline at the Advanced Photon Source (Nano Letters 2024). Established that oxygen facilitates redox-mediated transformation while precursor valency dictates the preservation of metastable 2D morphologies (Chemistry of Materials 2023) 2022 ACS-CAS Future Leader (1 of 30 worldwide).
Berkeley & UT Austin: Interdisciplinary Fellowships
• EBI–Shell ALS Fellow (Berkeley Lab): Bridged PLD-based thin-film battery design with interface chemistry.
• NSF MRSEC Postdoc (UT Austin): DoD MURI research on Fano resonance and light-matter interaction in bioinspired materials (Adv. Photon. Res. 2023).
Ph.D. UIUC: Bridging Physics and Chemistry
Conducted doctoral research in chemically engineered phase transitions in quantum-dot seeded materials at the Departments of Chemistry, Materials Research Lab and Physics while training in colloidal synthetic chemistry. Discovered the “liquid-like” melting of cationic sublattices in nanoclusters—translating superionic physics into wet-chemical design (Nature Communications 2017). Featured in Smithsonian Magazine, UIUC News Bureau, AzoNano, CEMag, Physorg, EurekaAlert, R&D Magazine for synthetically controlled breakthrough solid-electrolyte nanoclusters. Accomplished five university degrees across two continents.
IIT Kharagpur & National Top 1%
• National GATE Rank 43: Top 1% in India (Graduate Physics).
• JAM National Top 1%: Excellence in STEM entrance exams.
• Gold Medalist: Hiron Bala Memorial Gold Medal for academic distinction among all STEM disciplines in the College.
Footnotes & Resource Links:
- Research Thrusts: Defect engineering, Interface chemistry, & Robotics [Direct Link]
- Publications: High-throughput discovery and superionic conducting materials [Direct Link]
- Lab History: Details on fellowships (NSF, EBI-Shell, MURI) and media highlights [Direct Link]
Theory‑Guided, Data-Driven Design of Colloidal Superionic Electrolytes & Interphases for Safe, Scalable Battery Innovation 