Chemical engineering professor Vilas Pol of Purdue University was honored with the prestigious Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) award by the NRI Welfare Society, India during a distinguished ceremony at the Lord Mayor of Oxford’s Council Chamber in Oxford, UK on October 30, 2025. The award, presented by Mr. Mike Rowley, Lord Mayor of Oxford, and convened by Mr. Deepak Singh, celebrates global Indians who have significantly uplifted the “flag of India high” through extraordinary achievements. As one of the most respected awards for the Indian diaspora, the Hind Rattan is granted to outstanding persons of Indian origin residing overseas who have demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in their fields; the award traditionally comprises a gold medal and a certificate, symbolizing prestigious recognition for the exemplary achievements of non-resident Indians.

During the ceremony, Prof. Pol expressed that he felt privileged and honored to receive the 2025 Hind Rattan Award, which specifically recognized his team's groundbreaking research on energy-storing batteries capable of operating at extreme temperatures, [Nature Communications]. Such advanced batteries are critical for powering applications in ultra low-temperature (-100 oC) environments, [Small], including aerospace, military and defense operations, Arctic exploration, cryogenic storage, remote sensing, and infrastructure where reliable energy is needed in sub-zero conditions. Notably, this achievement has also been cited in the 2025 Guinness World Records book on page 156, underscoring its international significance and impact. His research team is currently coupling solar cells with advanced sodium-ion [Communications Chemistry] and lithium-ion batteries [Scientific Reports] engineered for extreme temperatures, creating an innovative system that ensures reliable energy harvesting, storage and delivery in harsh environments. Numerous discoveries from his research team are documented in around 300 peer'reviewed research articles and 27 issued U.S. patents, reflecting a broad and sustained impact across battery, electrolytes and materials innovation.