BITS Pilani Hyderabad researchers develop graphene electrode for improved supercapacitor performance

admin — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:52:00 +0000

Researchers at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus have developed a new graphene-based electrode that could improve the performance and lifespan of supercapacitors, an emerging energy storage technology used in portable electronics, wearable devices, and microelectronic systems.

The work was carried out by scientists at the MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab and published recently in the journal Surfaces and Interfaces. The research focuses on phosphorus-doped laser-induced graphene (PLIG), a material designed to increase the efficiency of supercapacitors while remaining low-cost and scalable for manufacturing.

Supercapacitors store and release energy much faster than conventional batteries and are considered important for future electronic systems. However, existing laser-induced graphene materials have faced limitations in energy storage capacity. To address this, the research team introduced phosphorus atoms into the graphene structure to improve conductivity and electrochemical activity.

The fabrication process involved mixing liquid polyimide with phosphoric acid, coating it onto filter paper, and exposing it to a blue diode laser. The laser converts the carbon-rich material into a porous graphene network without requiring expensive manufacturing techniques such as chemical vapour deposition or lithography.

According to the researchers, the new electrode showed nearly eight times higher conductivity than conventional laser-induced graphene. The study also reported high specific capacitance and about 98% capacitance retention after 6,000 charge-discharge cycles, indicating strong long-term stability.

Head, Center for Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technologies at BITS Pilani here, Sanket Goel, also the corresponding author of the study, said the work demonstrates how controlled phosphorus doping can improve graphene performance while maintaining scalability for practical applications. Lead author Sowmya Sree Palavai said the focus was on developing a process suitable for real-world energy storage devices.

The researchers said the technology could be useful in wearable electronics, flexible energy storage systems, on-chip power devices, and other high-power electronic applications.

Published – May 19, 2026 05:22 pm IST

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BITS-Pilani Hyd researchers develop portable sensor to detect triglyceride levels in minutes

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:42:08 +0000

The sprawling Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Hyderabad Campus.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Researchers at MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus, have announced the development of an innovative electrochemical biosensor for the rapid and cheaper detection of triglycerides (TGs), a crucial marker for heart disease risk assessment, on Monday.

The device aims to transform point-of-care diagnostics by providing faster and more accessible TG level testing, which is linked to increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis, said stated principal investigator R.N. Ponnalagu.

It also offers promising potential for on-site TG monitoring, significantly enhancing heart disease management and preventive care worldwide, he said. The biosensor utilises screen-printed carbon electrodes made from commercially available overhead projector sheets.

It incorporates gold-cerium oxide nanoparticles to enhance sensitivity and speed up enzymatic reactions. Lipase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down fats in food for absorption in the intestines, is immobilised on the electrodes to speed up reactions with TG, producing an electrical current that is proportional to the concentration of TGs.

A standard test electrode is typically priced at approximately ₹10, providing an accessible option for effective health monitoring compared to commercially available one which cost around ₹300 to ₹500, Dr. Ponnalagu said. The device is suitable for real-time monitoring without sample pre-treatment and a portable read-out device, called ‘potentiostat’, adds to its practicality in various healthcare settings, according to research scholar Parvathy Nair.

“This platform could greatly assist in the rapid detection of TriGlyceride levels, and we are actively expanding its capabilities for multiplexed biomarker detection,” informed co-principal investigator Sanket Goel. “Our biosensor features advanced materials in a portable design, making it a game-changer for real-time TriGlyceride monitoring in point-of-care settings,” he said.

Prof. Goel said the research team is working to developing a turnkey prototype and planning to commercialise it through their start-up, Pyrome Innovation. The work is expected to be presented at the 2025 IEEE Applied Sensing Conference, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad in January 2025. The work was supported by Semiconductor Research Corporation, USA.

The work was also published in the peer-reviewed journal IEEE Sensors Letters, in its December 2024 issue.

Published – December 16, 2024 06:12 pm IST

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BITS-Pilani Hyderabad – Artifex.News

BITS Pilani Hyderabad researchers develop graphene electrode for improved supercapacitor performance

BITS-Pilani Hyd researchers develop portable sensor to detect triglyceride levels in minutes