A Purdue University professor has received the 2025 IEEE PELS Energy Storage Innovation Award for groundbreaking research that pushes the temperature and performance boundaries of lithium-ion batteries. 

Vilas Pol, professor in Purdue's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering and head of the Vilas Pol Energy Research (ViPER) group, was recognized "for pushing the temperature and performance boundaries of Lithium-ion batteries." The IEEE Power Electronics Society's Energy Storage Innovation Award acknowledges outstanding contributions to advancing energy storage technologies through innovation, research, or application development. 

"Receiving the 2025 IEEE PELS Energy Storage Innovation Award validates the ViPER team's breakthrough in enabling lithium-ion batteries to operate reliably below -100°C, paving the potential way for sustainable power in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, space exploration, polar research, and other critical applications," Pol said. 

The achievement represents a significant milestone in battery technology, as conventional lithium-ion batteries suffer severe performance degradation in cold temperatures and typically stop functioning entirely in extreme cold. Pol's team earned a Guinness World Record for the "lowest temperature to charge a lithium-ion battery" by demonstrating reliable operation at -100°C. 

How the Technology Works

Traditional lithium-ion batteries face fundamental challenges in cold environments. The electrolyte solutions that allow lithium ions to move between electrodes can freeze, and the chemical reactions that generate power slow dramatically or stop entirely. These limitations have long prevented reliable battery operation in extreme conditions.

"Pushing the temperature and performance boundaries for lithium-ion batteries means overcoming two major challenges: first, we developed a new electrolyte that doesn't freeze, allowing lithium ions to keep moving so the battery continues working even in extreme cold; second, we built a special low-temperature lab at Purdue, supported by DoD's DURIP funds and using liquid nitrogen, which enables us to reliably test batteries at ultra-low temperatures without issues like ice buildup that can interfere with standard testing," Pol said. 

The team's approach involved developing specialized electrolytes, including cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) and dipropyl ether (DPE) solvents, that remain liquid and conductive at extremely low temperatures. These electrolytes work in combination with the niobium tungsten oxide electrode to enable continued battery function where conventional systems would fail. 

"Our approach is unique because we combined two innovations: a novel niobium tungsten oxide electrode and specially designed non-freezing electrolytes. Together, they enable lithium-ion batteries to reliably operate down to -100°C, a world record achievement that sets a new benchmark for high-performance energy storage in extreme environments," Pol noted. 

The breakthrough has been documented in multiple peer-reviewed publications, including research published in Small journal and Nature Communications, demonstrating the scientific rigor behind the innovations. 

Inside the ViPER Lab: The Team Advancing Battery Science

"The ViPER group's state-of-the-art facilities, expertise in advanced materials and electrolytes, and dedicated focus on ultra low-temperature and battery safety research at Purdue have been crucial to achieving the innovative breakthroughs recognized by this award," Pol said. 

The ViPER group operates in a collaborative research environment that brings together graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and postdoctoral fellows working on cutting-edge battery technologies. The team's success stems from combining fundamental research with practical applications, supported by custom-built low-temperature testing facilities. 

Student researchers have played pivotal roles in developing the experimental protocols, conducting the rigorous testing, understanding the underpinning fundamental principles and analyzing the complex data that led to the record-breaking battery performance. 

"As ViPER lead, I sincerely thank my graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers for their dedication in turning my ideas into breakthroughs and advancing lithium-ion battery technology, one challenge at a time," Pol said. 

The research has been supported through strategic partnerships with defense and government agencies. The team collaborates closely with the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane to develop advanced battery systems for military and aerospace applications. 

Pol acknowledged the crucial support from Professor Sangtae Kim, former head of Chemical Engineering, and funding from the Office of Naval Research-Naval Enterprise Partnership Teaming with Universities for National Excellence (ONR-NEPTUNE) and Purdue's Process Safety and Assurance Center (P2SAC). 

Future Applications and Next Steps

"The most promising real-world applications for these battery performance improvements include space exploration, polar research, defense systems, electric vehicles, drones, and aerospace technologies, where reliable energy storage is essential for operation in extreme cold environments," Pol said.

These applications represent critical areas where conventional battery failure can mean mission failure. In space exploration, reliable power systems are essential for rovers operating on Mars or lunar missions where temperatures can plummet far below what traditional batteries can handle. Similarly, military operations in polar regions, high-altitude reconnaissance drones, and defense systems require power sources that maintain performance regardless of environmental conditions. 

The team's immediate priorities focus on licensing Purdue's innovations, scaling up production, ensuring comprehensive safety testing, and expanding collaborations with industry partners and the Department of Defense. While the technology is currently at an early research and development stage, Pol notes that further research and development efforts including work on large-format cells, battery packs, and safety testing are essential before the technology can be fully deployed in real-world applications.

Pol’s work also addresses broader battery sustainability challenges. His recent viewpoint in ACS Energy Letters highlights critical issues around materials sustainability in lithium-ion batteries, reinforcing his commitment to advancing both performance and environmental responsibility.

The scope of his research extends across leading scientific journals and a growing portfolio of patent filings. In 2024, he co-authored a study in Small on niobium tungsten oxide electrode development. In 2023, he published a paper in Nature Communications detailing a high-voltage lithium metal battery using dipropyl ether electrolytes. Many of these innovations are now protected through US patents filed with the Purdue Research Foundation. Several are directly tied to the breakthroughs recognized by this IEEE award. 

"To young researchers in battery technology and energy storage: stay curious, embrace interdisciplinary learning, and persist through challenges. Your innovations could transform the future of energy, just as Purdue graduate Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon inspired new possibilities," Pol said.

The university's strong tradition of innovation in energy storage and conversion research, combined with world-class facilities like the ViPER group, positions Purdue as an ideal place for the next generation of battery researchers to pursue groundbreaking discoveries.