Though most of the focus is on pollution from road transport, we often overlook the emissions from aircrafts, which contribute significantly to airspace pollution. Electrification of all sectors is crucial to address this issue.
Gaurav Singh, our next pathbreaker, Research Fellow at the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), Department of Chemical Engineering, UCL (UK), works on developing a digital twin for aircraft batteries.
Gaurav talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his PhD research at IIT Bombay which involved the mathematical modelling and simulation of lithium-ion battery electrodes in order to improve the efficiency and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.
For students, don’t work just for the sake of work. Give it your full effort. Do not stress about the outcome—put in your best work, and the results will follow.
Gaurav, can you share your background with our young readers?
I grew up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, formerly known as Faizabad, now called Ayodhya. My mother, who is retired now, worked as a supervisor in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and my elder brother, now the Head of Compliance at Boku Bank, always supported me in my studies.
From an early age, I was deeply fascinated by books, they always drew my attention. This curiosity sparked my interest in reading at a very young age. I developed a strong passion for studies during childhood, particularly in Mathematics and Science.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I was always fascinated by mechanics, which led me to pursue both my graduation and post-graduation in Mechanical Engineering. I also did a PhD in Solid Mechanics at IIT Bombay.
What inspired you to choose a career in Battery Research?
I am currently working as a Research Fellow at the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), Department of Chemical Engineering, UCL, where I am developing a digital twin for aircraft batteries. My first exposure to batteries was during my doctoral program at IIT Bombay in 2014. Since then, my interest in lithium-ion batteries has grown significantly, as they are the key building blocks for the electrification of almost everything around us—from laptops and mobile phones to toys, buses, cars, and even aircraft.
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to have inspiring teachers from an early stage. My high school and intermediate Mathematics and Physics teachers played a crucial role in shaping my curiosity and passion for science, which ultimately guided me toward this career path.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Tell us about your career path
After completing my post-graduation, I began my career as a lecturer, where I had the opportunity to teach, mentor, and further develop my research interests. Over time, I realized that my true passion lay in research, which motivated me to resign from my secure, well-paid job and pursue a full-time research career at IIT Bombay.
Although some of my colleagues criticized my decision, looking back, I consider it the most crucial step in my career journey. Pursuing a PhD provided me with specialized knowledge in my domain, which has been instrumental in advancing my career in the research and development sector.
I took GATE. My PhD topic was on simulating – LIB electrode at particle level and see how the mechanical material properties affect the battery performance
My PhD research involved the mathematical modelling and simulation of lithium-ion battery electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries are used everywhere — from toys and laptops to electric vehicles — and analysing their performance requires multi-scale mathematical models.
My work specifically examined how one of the electrode components, the binder, influences performance. The binder’s mechanical properties plays a critical role in battery durability and efficiency. In future batteries, two qualities are essential: faster charging and longer life. To achieve this, researchers are exploring replacing graphite with silica as the anode material. However, this substitution makes the choice of binder crucial.
My research contributed to this challenge by developing a simple particle-binder lithium electrode model that allows us to optimize binder properties for the best possible performance. These insights are directly relevant to improving the efficiency and lifespan of batteries for electric vehicles and for other high-demand applications.
After my PhD viva, I began applying for battery research positions across the globe. The process involved multiple stages, including applications, interviews, and presentations, and I knew the outcomes would take time. To keep my options open, I also applied to prestigious institutes in India, including IIT Kanpur.
Fortunately, I was selected for a postdoctoral position at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur. My work there was on developing finite element formulations for exact beams. Although it was valuable experience, it was quite different from my doctoral work and did not involve battery research.
How did you get your first break?
My first real break came when I decided to pursue a PhD at IIT Bombay. At that time, I had a stable job as a lecturer, but my passion for research kept pushing me toward something more challenging.
It was during my very first year at IIT Bombay that I was introduced to the fascinating world of batteries. That exposure not only shaped my research direction but also laid the foundation for everything I am doing today. Looking back, I can say that following my passion for research, even when it meant taking risks, was what gave me my first real break.
After completing my PhD viva at IIT Bombay, I applied to several battery research positions worldwide. One of these was a Research Fellow position at The Faraday Institution in the UK, where my role focused on developing and solving mathematical models of the battery manufacturing process.
The application and joining process took longer than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed international travel and visa approvals. Once the visa centers reopened, I was finally able to join the research group on September 7, 2020.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was maintaining a growth mindset while working in a secure, comfortable job. Although the position was stable and well-paid, I realized it was not aligned with my long-term goals or the kind of impact I wanted to create in my life. I made the bold decision to leave that comfort behind and pursue a PhD, which was both intellectually challenging and deeply aligned with my passion for research.
Where do you work now?
I work at the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), UCL, London, UK.
What problems do you solve?
I develop and solve mathematical models related to lithium-ion battery technology.
I am currently developing a cell-level digital twin for lithium-ion cells used in aircrafts, particularly in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) applications. In these aircrafts, batteries experience extreme conditions — rapid charging and discharging during take-off and landing, along with highly variable atmospheric conditions that range from very low to very high temperatures.
My research focuses on creating simulations that replicate these stresses on the battery. Through these computer models, I can predict the chemo-thermal behaviour of the cells under such demanding conditions. The goal of the digital twin is to anticipate how these adverse loads and environmental factors impact battery performance, with a particular emphasis on ensuring cell safety.
In the long run, this technology can help the industry design safer, more reliable batteries for advanced applications like electric aviation, where both performance and safety are absolutely critical.
What skills are needed for the job? How did you acquire the skills?
This job requires knowledge of mathematics, science, and coding/finite element analysis (FEA) to develop and solve battery models. I acquired these skills through my academic training in Mechanical Engineering, my PhD research, and hands-on experience with modeling and simulations.
What’s a typical day like?
A typical day involves running simulations and code, verifying results against experiments, analyzing the outcomes to ensure they make sense, interpreting results, and predicting model behavior under a variety of inputs.
What do you love about this job?
When a mathematical model predicts performance and matches real-world, experimentally verified results, it gives a great sense of satisfaction. It shows that the model is valuable and can be used to make informed decisions. Knowing that my work has an impact and makes life easier—by saving time and resources compared to setting up experiments—is extremely rewarding.
How does your work benefit society?
I am working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. While most people focus on pollution from road transport, we often overlook the emissions from aircraft, which contribute significantly to airspace pollution. Electrification of all sectors is crucial to address this issue. The world will need approximately 250 TWh of energy to electrify everything, which is nearly 80 times the current capacity. As researchers, we are taking small but meaningful steps toward this goal, contributing to a greener and more sustainable planet.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
For me, it will always be my first research problem on battery technology that I formulated and solved. This work not only paved the way for my future in green technology, particularly lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), but also gave me the confidence and motivation to pursue research that can make a real-world impact.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
From my experience, I can say that one should never limit themselves to a particular domain. It doesn’t always have to be IT or an MBA! At an early stage in life, recognize your talent and start working on it slowly and steadily. As it is your passion and your talent, you can go a long way!
Every child has something unique that makes them special—it’s important to recognize that passion or talent and nurture it carefully. At the same time, it’s true that not all talents will directly earn money, so it’s important to maintain two parallel paths in life: first, something you are good at that can secure your career, and second, your own passion or identity, which must be nurtured positively. This is what brings satisfaction, recognition, and long-term fulfilment. One should never neglect or sacrifice it.
Finally, my advice to the next generation is to work for the sake of work. Don’t waste your time and energy worrying about the results. For example, if you are writing an exam, focus on writing it in the best possible way, giving it your full effort. Do not stress about the outcome—put in your best work, and the results will follow.
Future Plans?
I see myself continuing to learn and make meaningful contributions to the field of battery technology, particularly in developing sustainable and efficient energy solutions that can support the global transition to electrification and a greener future.