Dr. Vilas Pol

Professor and Purdue Faculty Scholar, Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University

Purdue Media Expert Profile
Adjunct Professor, Metallurgy Engineering and Material Science department, IIT, Indore, India.
Google Scholar Profile
Patents
Issued Non provisional Applied Technologies

Office: FRNY 2146
E–Mail: vpol@purdue.edu

Ph. D., University of Bar–Ilan, Israel, 2005.
Center for Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology
Advisor: Emer. Prof. Aharon Gedanken

B. Sc.(1994), M. Sc.(1996), M. Phil(1999) from University of Pune, India, 1999.

Professional Experience

Professor, Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA (Aug. 2020 – Present).
Associate Professor, Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University (Jan. 2014 – July 2020)
Purdue Faculty Scholar (2018 – 2023)
Associate Professor, School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA (Jan 2014 – Present).
Visiting Faculty, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Japan (Oct 2013 – Dec 2013).
Materials Scientist, Lithium Battery Materials Group, Electrochemical Energy Storage Department, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), IL, USA (July 2010 – Sept 2013).
Argonne Scholar (Advisor: Dr. M.M. Thackeray), ANL, USA (July 2008 – June 2010).
Postdoctoral Appointee (Advisor: Dr. P. Thiyagarajan), Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, ANL, USA (Jan 2007 – June 2008).
Postdoctoral Fellow in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (Advisor: Prof. Arie Zaban), Bar–Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Israel (Jan 2005 – Dec 2006).

Awards

Foreign Fellow – Chemical Sciences Maharashtra Academy of Science (MASc), India (2023) Link
2023 Purdue College of Engineering - Most Impactful Faculty Inventors Link
Purdue University Outstanding Engineering Teachers, Fall 2022. Link
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ - The Lowest Temperature (-100 Degrees Celsius) to Charge a Lithium-ion Battery.Link
2022 Most Impactful Faculty Inventors, Purdue University, USA. Link
2022 Carbon Journal Prize – Special Mention (Mihit Parekh and Vilas Pol) Link
ACerS Ceramographic Competition 3rd Prize (Pollen Derived Carbons), Basic Science Division of the American Ceramic Society (2021)
Purdue University Outstanding Engineering Teachers, Spring 2021 Link
AIChE Excellence in Process (Microwave) Development Research Award (2021) Link1 Link2
TMS Light Metals, Extraction and Processing division's Energy Best Paper Award, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (2021) Link
Elected Chair -Purdue Sustainability Committee (2020) Link
Fellow -International Association of Advanced Materials, Sweden (2020)
Purdue University Outstanding Engineering Teacher, Spring 2019 Link
Professional Achievement Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2019) Link
American Chemical Society presents Salute to Excellence award to Dr. Vilas Pol Link
Purdue University Faculty Scholar(May 2019) Link 1 Link 2
Richard M. Fulrath Award - American Academic, The American Ceramic Society (2019)
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the fastest time (8 minutes 36 seconds) to arrange all the elements of the periodic table (2018) Link
Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Global Award Finalist, Processing Trashed Plastics to Value Added Products Research Project (2017)Link
Award for External Funding Recognition, "Seed for Success," Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University (2017) Link
Fellow, The World Technology Network (2016) Link
Finalist, World Technology Award, The World Technology Network (2016) Link
Poster Exhibition, Innovation to International Development Lab (I2D), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation & Purdue University (2016)
Award for External Funding Recognition, "Seed for Success," Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University (2016) Link
R&D 100 Finalist, Materials Technology Category, "UpCarbon with Versatile Applications," R&D100 Awards (Oscars of Innovation) (2016) Link Link
Sustainable Engineering Forum Research Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2016) Link
R&D 100 Award, "Versatile Hard Carbon Microspheres Made from Plastic Waste," R&D100 Awards (Oscars of Innovation) (2015) Link
Technology Finalist, "Versatile Hard Carbon Microspheres Made from Plastic Waste," R&D100 Awards (Oscars of Innovation) (2015) Link
People's Choice Award, "SOYACELL: Rechargeable Soy Battery," Indiana Soybean Alliance Innovation Competition (2015) Link
Bravo Award, Purdue University (2015)
Certificate of Merit, American Chemical Society (2015)
Brian Kelly Award, British Carbon Society, World Carbon Conference, Rio–Brazil (2013) Link
First Place, Science as Art Competition, MRS Fall Meeting, Boston (2012) Link(MRS) Link(ANL)
People's Choice Award, Art of Science Contest, Argonne National Laboratory (2012) Link
Second Prize, International Year of Chemistry, Chemistry Views Video Contest, Wiley (2011)
First Prize, Art of Science contest, Argonne National Laboratory (2011) Link
Winner of 365: Chemistry for Life Contest, organized by ACS, IYC (2011)
Grand Prize, worldwide, "How Does Chemistry Help YOU Be Green?" Video Contest (2010)
Near Hit Safety Award, Argonne National Laboratory (2010) Link
Argonne Scholar (Director's Postdoctoral Fellowship), Argonne National Laboratory (2008)
Intel Prize, Outstanding poster, 25th Israel Vacuum Society Conference
Best Student Award, All Maharashtra State Student Welfare Association, India (2000)
Gold Medal, Kabaddi, DRDO Sports Board, Government of India (2000)

Patents

Talks

"Safer Quasi Solid State, Fast Charging and Ultralow Temperature Li-ion Batteries", March 14, 2024, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Indiana.
"Electric Grid/Microgrid and Batteries, Energy Transition to a Sustainable Future", March 6, 2024, CISTAR Class online presentation.
"Safer Quasi Solid State and Ultralow Temperature Li-ion Batteries", January 17, 2024, INL’s Premier Master of Science and Technology Seminar Series, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, USA.
"Energy Storage at Extreme Temperatures, Safely, International Conference on Energy Storage Materials and Rechargeable Batteries", December 22, 2023, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
"Solid State Li-ion Batteries: Challenges, Solutions and Measured Safety", December 19, 2023, Ford, Battery Cell R&A, Ford Ion Park, Michigan, USA.
(Tutorial) "Batteries: Fundamentals, Recent Advances, and Inherent Safety Aspects", December 5, 2023, P2SAC Fall 2023 (STW 218) Conference, Purdue University, USA.
"Sustainable Potassium-Ion Batteries with Their Thermal Safety", November 9, 2023, 2023 AICHE Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Orlando, FL.
"Role of Solvents in Solid-State Batteries with Enhanced Thermal Safety", November 8, 2023, 2023 AICHE Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Orlando, FL.
"Engineered Electrolytes for Storing Energy at Ultra-Low Temperatures", November 8, 2023, 2023 AICHE Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Orlando, FL.
"Chemical Engineering Energy Storage: Status and Opportunities", August 18, 2023, Holiday Inn Lafayette City Centre, Lafayette IN.
"Solid State Li-ion Batteries: Exertions Towards Making Them Inherently Safer", August 9, 2023, Solid-State Battery Summit, Chicago, IL.
"Ultralow Temperature Advanced Li-ion Batteries", June 28, 2023, 49th Power Sources Conference, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Fort Washington, MD.
Plenary - "Ubiquitous Li-ion Batteries: Safety, Fast Charging and Low Temperature Performance", June 21, 2023. International Conference on Energy Conversion and Storage (IC-ECS) -2023, Amartya Vishav Vidhyapeetham, Coimbatore, India.
"Materials Design for Safer Lithium ion Batteries and their Ultra-Low Temperature Performance", June 20, 2023, Global Summit and Expo on Materials Science and Engineering (GSEMSE2023) Paris, France.
"Motivating Young Generation and Parents", June 11, 2023, Mule Classes, Otur, Pune, India.
"Inspiring Teachers and Young Minds", June 11, 2023, Gadge Maharaj Vidhyalay (Alumni), Otur, Pune, India.
"Ubiquitous Li-ion Batteries: Safety, Fast Charging and Low Temperature Performance", May 30, 2023, IISER, Kolkata, India.
"Recent Advancement in Batteries: Fast Charging, Thermal Safety and Low Temperature Performance", May 29, 2023, CREST, Kolkata, India.
"Advanced Li-ion Batteries and their Thermal Safety", April 21, 2023, AIChE - Design Institute for Emergency Relief Systems (DIERS), Spring 2023 virtual meeting.
"Quasi-Solid-State and Ultralow Temperature Advanced Li-ion Batteries", March 22, 2023, International Battery Seminar & Exhibit, Orlando, FL.
"Li-ion Battery Safety Systems: In situ/Multi-mode Calorimetry, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, and Critical Temperature Cycling", March 14, 2023, 2023 ONR Undersea Power and Energy Review, Hyatt Hotel, Arlington, Virginia.
"Light-weight, Flexible, Wearable, Fast Charging, Safer Solid-State Lithium-ion Battery Prototype", March 14, 2023, 23 ONR Undersea Power and Energy Review, Hyatt Hotel, Arlington, Virginia.
"Purdue – Korea Universities: Storing the Energy Together", Feb 21, 2023, Korea University Chemical Engineering Workshop, Purdue University, IN, USA.
"Li-ion Batteries: Need, Challenges, and Low Temperature Performance", Nov 22, 2022, Faculty Development Program (FDP) at Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India.
"Low Temperature Performance of Li-ion Batteries and their Thermal Safety", Jan 11, 2023, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India.
"Li-ion Batteries: Need, Safety and Low Temperature Performance", Dec. 14, 2022, P2SAC Fall 2022 Conference, STEW 218, Purdue University, USA.
"Scalable Manufacturing of Safer, Energy Dense Li-ion Batteries for Critical temperature Defense Application", Nov. 15, 2022, ONR NEPTUNE Program Review, Posner Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Light Weight, Flexible, Wearable, fast Charging, Safer Solid-State Lithium-ion Battery Prototype", Nov. 15, 2022, ONR NEPTUNE Program Review, Posner Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
"Ultralow Temperature Li‐ion Storage with Customized Electrolytes" (Hybrid) Inaugural 6.1 Basic Research Conference, Sept. 8, 2022, Department of Defense, USA.
"Advanced Chemistry for the Ultralow Temperature Operations of Li-ion Batteries" – ACS Fall 2022 Conference, Aug. 24, 2022, McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, USA.
"Beauty of Carbons Produced from Sustainable Sources for Enhanced Energy Storage" – Carbon 2022, July 5, 2022, Imperial College London, UK.
"Low Temperature Performance, Thermal Safety and Upcycling of Li-ion Batteries" – International Conference on Battery Science and Technology, June 3, 2022, India.
"Li-ion Batteries: Thermally Safe and Early Sensing" – P2SAC SPRING 2022 Conference, May 11, 2022, Purdue University, USA.
"Prototype Development of Flexible, Lightweight, Safer Solid-State Lithium-ion Battery" – Trask Innovation Fund presentation, Convergence, May 11, 2022, Purdue University, USA.
"Memories and Dreams (Virtual)" – Pune University (India) to Purdue University (Indiana, USA) Voyage via Israel with Innovative Imagination, Dec. 24, 2021, Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
"Purdue University Battery Systems for Low Temperature Operations", Center for Research on Extreme Batteries (CREB) symposium, Dec. 10, 2021, University of Maryland, USA.Link
"Extreme Temperature Performance, Thermal Safety, Chemosensing and Upcycling of Rechargeable Batteries", U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Energy Sciences Division, Army Research Laboratory, Dec. 9, 2021, Adelphi, MD.
"Low-Temperature Performance, Thermal Safety and Upcycling of Li-ion Batteries", Li-ION 2021, The International Virtual Conference on Recent Advances in Lithium-ion Batteries and their Recycling Methods for Sustainable Development Dec. 1, 2021 (Virtual).
Keynote - (Virtual)"Emerging Carbon Architectures for Rechargeable Batteries", International Conference on Carbon Chemistry and Materials (CCM-2021), Nov. 15, 2021 at Rome, Italy.Link
"Reserve Lithium-Ion Batteries for Lithium-Ion Free Cathodes", 2021 AIChE Annual Meeting, Boston Nov. 8, 2021.
Keynote - "Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries and their Thermal Safety", Interdisciplinary Approaches in Chemical Sciences- (IACS-2021), Department of Chemistry, M.E.S. Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, India, Oct. 22, 2021.
"Energy Storage: Types, Availability, Challenges and Opportunity", Testimony at Indiana’s 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force, Indiana General Assembly, Oct 12, 2021.Link
"Are Rechargeable Batteries Playing Significant Role in our Lives, Safely?" Workshop on Thin Film Technologies for Sensors and Opto-electronic Applications, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, India, July 17, 2021.
"Li-metal Batteries: Are they Thermally Safe?", the 11th Virtual Battery Safety Summit, June 30, 2021. Link
"Can you Live without me? -Rechargeable Batteries!",International Conference on Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Hazarimal Somani College, Chowpatty, Mumbai, India, March 24, 2021
Imagination for Innovation, International Conference on Innovative Thinking in science and Technology, Yashwantrao Mohite College OF Arts, Science and Commerce, Pune, 38. India, Feb. 23, 2021
"Role of Chemical Engineering in Building a Sustainable Future", Purdue AIChE - International Sustainability Conference, Global Chem-E Sustainability Summit, Jan 6, 2021 Link
"Fate of Nanostructured Materials in Rechargeable Batteries", Internal e-Conference on Recent Trends in Nanotechnology and Materials Science, St. Joseph's College for Women, Alappuza, Kerala, India,Jan 18, 2021
Keynote Talk, "Innovative Electrode Materials and their Interfaces for Safer Lithium-ion Batteries", Materials Summit 2020, London, August 28,2020 Link
International Association of Advanced Materials (FIAAM) fellow online talk "Advancement of Materials to Global Excellence" July 6, 2020.
"Materials by Design for Safer, Longer Lasting Rechargeable Batteries, Departmental seminar", Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa, February 27, 2020.
"Designing Electrode Architectures for Safer Rechargeable Batteries", The 44th International Conference and Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites in Daytona Beach, Florida, Jan 29, 2020.
Award Talk, "Waste Plastics to Energy Storing Carbon Anodes through Green Processing", (Hyatt Regency Ballroom Q), AIChE 2019 meeting, Orlando, November 13, 2019.
"Advanced Li-Metal Batteries and Their Thermal Safety Aspects" (Discovery 46, Hyatt Regency), AIChE 2019 meeting, Orlando November 13, 2019.
Award Talk, "Engineered Ceramic Materials for Energy Storage", American Ceramic Society, Portland, Oregon, Oct. 1, 2019.
"Safer Rechargeable Batteries", Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad, India, June 22, 2019.
Materials by Design for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India, June 20, 2019.
Faculty Induction Program 2019, Designing Electrode Architectures for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Indian Institute of Technology, India, June 17, 2019,.
Materials by Design: Tailored Morphology and Structures of Carbon Anodes for Enhanced Battery Safety, International Conference on Advanced Materials, Kannur, Kerala, India, June 13, 2019.
"Safer Rechargeable Batteries", Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, May 1, 2019.
"Engineered Materials for Safer Rechargeable Batteries", Purdue-NCKU research workshop, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Dec. 20, 2018.
"Engineered Materials for Safer Rechargeable Batteries", Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Xiamen University, China, Dec. 17, 2018.
"Advanced Carbonaceous Materials for Rechargeable Batteries", College of Energy, Xiamen University, China, Dec. 14, 2018.
"Sustainable Carbons for Energy Storage", College of Energy, Xiamen University, China, Dec. 14, 2018.
"A Quest for Safer Rechargeable Batteries", Purdue President's Faculty Colloquia, Westwood, Purdue University, Nov. 29, 2018.
"Guinness World Record", Starbase Indy, Astrophysics, Wyndham Indianapolis West, IN, Nov. 25, 2018.Link
"Introduction to Rechargeable Batteries, Power and Energy, onshore and afloat", CNIT 581 course class lecture, KNOY 029, Purdue University, Nov.11, 2018.
Celebrating Tenured Faculty, Potter 234 (Fu Room), Purdue University,Nov.8, 2018 .
"Long Lasting Li-S Batteries Via Suppressing Lithium Dendrites", AIChE Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, November 1, 2018.
"Dry Solid Lubricant Comprising 2D Materials", AIChE Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, Oct 31, 2018.
"Engineered Electrodes for Energy Storage and Battery Safety", AIChE Annual Meeting, Pittsburg,Oct 31, 2018.
"Suppressing Lithium Dendrites in Li-S Batteries, NASA-Beyond Lithium-ion XI, Cleveland, OH, July 24, 2018."
"Emerging Carbon Architectures for Safer Energy Storage Devices, Carbon 2016 conference, Madrid, Spain, July 6, 2018."
"Engineered Electrodes for Efficient Energy Storage and Battery Safety, IMDEA, Spain, July 4, 2018."
"Batteries and their Safety, Duke Energy Academy at Purdue University, MRGN 121, Purdue University, USA, June 22, 2018."
"Battery Safety by Materials Design and Control, P2SAC conference, Purdue University, USA, 4. May 10, 2018."
"Engineered Electrodes for Safer Energy Storage Devices, Cummins, USA, April 23, 2018."
"Energy Storage Technologies and Societal Needs," at MIT World Peace University, Pune, Maharashtra, India February 3, 2018."
"Sustainable, Engineered Electrodes for Enhanced Energy Storage and Battery Safety," at Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India February 2, 2018."
"Nascent Carbon Architectures for Safer Energy Storage Devices," at International Conference on Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India January 31, 2018."
"Sustainable, Efficient Energy Saving and Safe Storage," Tecnologico De Monterrey, at Monterrey, Mexico December 12, 2017."
"Rechargeable Batteries", at the ChE 597 elective course guest lecture, at Purdue University, IN, USA November 17, 2017."
"Engineered Electrodes for Energy Storage and Battery Safety," at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company, at St. Paul, MN, USA November 2, 2017."
"Hybrid Nanocoatings of Graphene-ZnO-Binder on Steel Surfaces to Reduce Friction and Wear Under High Load Conditions," at the AICHE conference, at Minneapolis Convention Center, MN, USA November 2, 2017."
"Greener Processing for the Conversion of Waste Plastics into Energy Storing Carbons (318c)", at the AICHE conference, at Minneapolis Convention Center, MN, USA October 31, 2017."
Undergraduate Research - Why, Where, When, How? Chemical Engineering (CHE 20000-class seminar)", at Purdue University, IN, USA October 25, 2017."
"Upcycling of Waste Plastic into Valuable Energy Storing Carbons", Environmental and Ecological Engineering Research Seminar, at Purdue University, IN, USA October 24, 2017."
"Raman Spectroscopy and its Role in Rechargeable Batteries, ChE 666 elective course guest lecture, Purdue University, WL, IN, USA October 12, 2017."
"Engineered Electrodes for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, School of Engineering and Applied sciences, Harvard University, Boston, USA, September 20, 2017."
"Introduction to Rechargeable Batteries, Power and Energy, onshore and afloat, CNIT 581 course class lecture, MSEE, Purdue University, WL, IN. USA, September 18, 2017."
"Sustainable Architectures for Efficient Energy Saving and Safe Storage, Purdue-Mexico Center for Sustainability, CIDESI, Mexico, September 12, 2017."
"Engineered Electrodes Synthesis and Testing for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Incoming Graduate Students, Materials Engineering, Purdue University, WL, IN, USA, August 19, 2017."
"Engineered Electrodes for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Naval Postgraduate School seminar series, Monterey, CA, USA August 12, 2017."
"Long Lasting Batteries for Medical Devices and Wearables, Baxter Company, Purdue University, IN, July 31, 2017".
"Engineered Tribofilms & Electrodes for Safer Batteries, CIDESI, Mexico, July 12, 2017."
"Engineered Electrodes for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Materials Science and Engineering department seminar, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Al, June 13, 2017."
"Batteries - Challenges and Solutions, College of Engineering's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program talk, BRNG 2280, Purdue University, WL, IN, USA, June 8, 2017. Link
"Role of Raman Spectroscopy in Rechargeable Battery Diagnostics, ThermoFisher Scientific, Online Webinar, ~1500 attendees, June 7, 2017."
"Design and Engineering of Electrode Materials for Safer Rechargeable Batteries, Cummins, Columbus-IN, USA, 15, 2017."
"Designing Low Cost Na-ion Batteries, The Navy Enterprise Partnership Teaming with Universities for National Excellence (NEPTUNE) meeting, MIT, Boston, USA, May 9, 2017."
"Electrode Materials Engineering for Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Department of Chemical Engineering Seminar, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA, May 4, 2016.
"Advanced Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Seminar, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CN, USA, April 22, 2016.
"Engineered Electrodes for Energy Storage and Battery Safety" Invited, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, IN, USA, April 11, 2017."
"Multifunctional Engineered Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Physical Sciences Seminar, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, TN, USA, April 6, 2016.
"Engineered Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA, April 5, 2016.
"Multifunctional Engineered Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Advancement in Electrode Materials Engineering for Rechargeable Batteries, Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering Seminar, Binghamton State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, USA, March 16, 2016.
"Advanced Materials for Sustainability and Battery Efficiency," Invited, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), New Jersey, February 24, 2016.
"Innovative Materials for Sustainability and Battery Efficiency Applications," Invited, Texas A&M University, Texas, February 10, 2016.
"Novel Electrode Architectures for Efficient Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Oregon State University, Oregon, January 21, 2016.
"Sustainable Energy Storing Materials," Invited, 2016 Sustainability Forum, Illinois Institute of Technology, Illinois, U.S.A., January 15, 2016.
"Generating Preferred Electrode Architectures for Efficient Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A., November 18, 2015.
"Innovative Approaches for the Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials," Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A., August 17, 2015.
"Addressing Internal "Shuttle" Effect: Electrolyte Design and Cathode Morphology Evolution in Li-S Batteries," Invited, Program review meeting, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, U.S.A., July 8, 2015.
"Synthesis and Application of Porous Metal Oxide Nanostructures," 8th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT), Suntec City, Singapore, June 29, 2015.
"India to Indiana and Recent Advancements in Battery Science," Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.A., June 15, 2015.
"Recent Battery Advancement at Purdue's ViPER Lab," Battery Innovation Center, Newberry, Indiana, U.S.A., June 3, 2015.
"Carbon Hotels with Nanosulfur Guests: Promising High Capacity Cathode Architecture with Hybrid Electrolyte for Lithium-Sulfur Battery," 227th Electrochemical Society Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., May 25, 2015.
"Creation of Desired Electrode Architectures for Efficient Rechargeable Batteries," Invited, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, U.S.A., July 9, 2015.
"Birth of Scalable Hybrid Electrode Materials for the Efficient Lithium Ion Batteries," 8th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT) of the Materials Research Society, Suntec City, Singapore, June 30, 2015.
"Trashed Packing-Peanuts Remediation Into Energy Storing Carbon Anodes," 8th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT) of the Materials Research Society, Suntec City, Singapore, June 30, 2015.
"Carbon Hotels with Nanosulfur Guests: Promising High Capacity Cathode Architecture with Hybrid Electrolyte for Lithium-Sulfur Battery," 226th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., May 25, 2015.
"Interplay of Electrode Materials with Electrolytes for the Efficient Lithium-ion Batteries," Invited, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, Deleware, U.S.A., January 23, 2015.
"Nanocrystalline Mesoporous SnO2 Anodes for Excellent Lithium Ion Storage," The 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., November 17, 2014.
"Rechargeable Battery Safety through Materials Engineering," Invited, The 2014 Purdue Process Safety and Assurance Center (P2SAC) Fall Conference, Purdue University, U.S.A., October 13, 2014.
"Lithium Alloying Nanoparticles Deposited 3D Carbon Architectures as Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries," 226th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Mexico, October, 6, 2014.
"Advanced High-Capacity Electrode Architectures for Lithium-Ion Batteries," Invited, The 2014 SES Annual Technical Meeting, Purdue University, U.S.A., October 1, 2014.
"Engineered Electrode Materials for Energy Storage and their Environmental Impact during Processing," Invited, School of Health Sciences, Purdue Univeristy, U.S.A., September 30, 2014.
"Materials for Rechargeable Batteries: Which, Why and How?," Invited, School of Materials Engienering, Purdue Univeristy, U.S.A., September 22, 2014.
"Multifunctional Electrode Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage and Energy Conversion Technologies," Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), Invited, Purdue University, IN, U.S.A., September 17, 2014.
"High Capacity Electrode Materials for Li-ion, Na-ion, and Li-S batteries," Invited, Applied Materials Inc., San Jose, CA, U.S.A., August 27, 2014.
"Energy Storage Materials for Rechargeable Batteries: Eminence and Prospects," Invited, Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea, July 4, 2014.
"Batteries & Future Prospects," Invited, Duke Energy Foundation, Indiana, U.S.A., June 25, 2014.
"Sonochemically Derived Spherical Carbon Anodes: Cycle Life and Safety Characteristics," Invited, The 17th U.S. National Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A. June 15–20, 2014.
"Batteries," Invited, Duke Energy Foundation, Indiana, U.S.A., June 26, 2014.
"Emerging Carbon Architectures for Energy Storage Devices," Invited, Carbon 2014, World Conference on Carbon, Carbon Materials for Ubiquitous and Sustainable Life, June 30, 2014.

Editorial Board Positions

Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Guest Editor, Energy Storage Themed Issue(2016). Link
The Scientific World Journal, Guest Editor (2014). Link
The Open Colloid Science Journal, Bentham Open (2010 – Present). Link
The Open Ceramic Science Journal, Bentham Open (2010 – present). Link
Carbon Science & Technology, Applied Science Innovations (2010 – present). Link
American Chemical Science Journal, Science Domain International (2011 – present). Link
Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Scientific Research: An Academic Publisher (2011 – present). Link
International Open Journal of Renewable Energy, Academic and Scientific Publishing (2013 – present). Link
AIMS Materials Science, AIMS press, Springfield, USA (2011– present). Link
Advances in Nanoparticles (2012 – present). Link
Chemical Engineering: An International Journal (2014 – present). Link
Frontiers in Energy Research journal, Switzerland (2014 – present). Link
Advanced Energy: An International Journal (2014 – present). Link

Television, Radio, & Video Appearances

WRTV, WWAY-TV (Wilmington, N.C.), WCPO-TV (Cincinnati): 'Pass the Salt': Purdue researchers provide possible solution to future power problem. (August 18, 2022) Link
Picking the Molecular Lock to Recycle Plastic. Link
High Cycle Stability Carbon Anode for Sodium Batteries. Link
Oil-free solid lubricant improves friction, wear reduction. Link
Purdue NanoHub: Batteries - Challenges and Solutions, College of Engineering's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program talk, BRNG 2280, Purdue University. Link
TEDx (Technology, Entertainment and Design) speaker Upcycling: Turning Trash to Treasure | Vilas Pol | TEDxPurdueUSalon (500 audience), Purdue University (Nov 9, 2016). Link
WLFI New 18, Purdue Researchers are 'Upcycling' Packing Peanuts to Battery Components, April 22, 2015 (6 PM EST). Link
NPR: WBAA Purdue Public Radio, From Packing Boxes to Packing a Punch, April 9, 2014. Link
American Chemical Society: Offical Youtube Channel, Packing Peanut Power Supply, March 23, 2015. Link Link(Talk)
USA Today, Packing peanuts could be key to faster-charging batteries, March 23, 2015. Link
PBS (hosted by David Pogue), NOVA: Making Stuff Cleaner, February 2, 2011 (8 PM CST). Link(YouTube) Link(PBS)
TV–ABC 7 News Chicago, From the Landfill to Lithium–ion Batteries, January 15th, 2010 (5 PM CST) and January 16th, 2010 (6 AM CST). Link
Environmental Science and Technology, How Chemistry Helps YOU Be Green?, Earth Day 2010 worldwide competition. Link
Univision TV, 'Plastico en polvo', March 2, 2010 (5 PM EST). Link

News & Media Features

Forbes Science, Hilary Brueck, How Packing Peanuts Could Power Your Phone, April 16, 2015. Link
The Purdue Exponent, New research converts packing peanuts into electrodes, April 13, 2015. Link
The Purdue Exponent, Submicron carbon sphere innovation looks to advance industry, April 6, 2015. Link
Chemical Engineeing News, Turning Packing Peanuts into Battery Electrodes, March 30, 2015. Link
Science News, Idea for new battery material isn't nuts, March 25, 2015. Link
Demanjo, Packing peanuts could be key to faster-charging batteries, March 24, 2015. Link
American Association for the Advancement of Science, New processing technology converts packing peanuts to battery components, March 22, 2015. Link
Smithsonian Magazine, Scientists Turn Packing Peanuts Into Battery Components, March 23, 2015. Link
Purdue University Research News, Sub-micrometer carbon spheres reduce engine friction as oil additive, March 3, 2015. Link
Phys.org, Sub-micrometer Carbon Spheres Reduce Engine Friction as Oil Additive, March 5, 2015. Link
IEEE spectrum, Nanoparticle reduces charge times for Li-ion batteries from hours to minutes, December 5, 2014. Link
Purdue University Research News, Nanoparticle network could bring fast-charging batteries, December 3, 2014. Link
ISIS Neutron Source UK News, Could plastic waste make better batteries?, November 13, 2013. Link
New Scientists (By Helen Knight), Green Machine: Tackling the plastic menace, June 28, 2010. Link
Discovery News (By Jessica Marshall), Plastic bags into power?, June 25, 2010. Link
American Chemical Society (ACS), Chemical Sciences and Engineering News, "Turning plastic trash into treasure?," May 28,2010. Link
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Transforum, From trash to treasure: Turning plastic bags into battery anodes, Summer 2010. Link
RSC, New lease of life for used cola bottles (Pol et. al., Chemical Sciences, 2009, 6, C19). Link
Chemical Engineering & News (CEN), Waste Plastics Become Functional Carbon Microspheres, 88, 23, June 2010. Link
US Energy.gov (Energy Blog): 10 questions for a Materials Scientist: Vilas Pol. Link
US Energy.gov, Innovations spring forward on Earth Day, April 2011. Link
US Energy.gov, Upcycling: A Green Solution to the Problem of Plastic, April 2011. Link