Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering - IIT Kanpur

Dr. Sudarshan Narayanan

Assistant Professor - Energy Materials, Characterization & Device Engineering

Welcome to the research page of the Energy Materials, Characterization, and Device Engineering Group at IIT Kanpur. Our work brings together advanced materials engineering, thin-film coatings, electrochemical interfaces, and device development to support the transition toward a sustainable energy future.

Dr. Sudarshan Narayanan
Research Focus Energy Materials & Solid-State Batteries
Specialization Thin Films, Interfaces & Device Engineering
Affiliation IIT Kanpur
Department Sustainable Energy Engineering
Faculty Profile

About & Research Vision

A modern academic profile highlighting expertise in materials science, sustainable energy technologies, and interface-driven device engineering.

Short Bio


Welcome to the Energy Materials, Characterization, and Device Engineering Group in the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering at IIT Kanpur. Our group is broadly interested in understanding, designing, and engineering functional materials and interfaces that enable high-performance, reliable, and scalable energy technologies.

Through a combination of advanced ex-situ, in-situ, and operando characterization techniques, we investigate the microstructural, chemical, and electrochemical evolution of materials in the bulk and at interfaces. This approach allows us to connect material behavior to device performance and long-term stability.



Current Focus Areas


  • Energy Storage - with a strong emphasis on solid-state batteries and interface engineering.
  • Multi-layer spectrally selective thin-film coatings for advanced energy and thermal applications.
  • Building-integrated photovoltaics and device-oriented materials development for sustainable infrastructure.
  • Materials characterization across scales to understand performance, degradation, and reliability.
Research Themes

Core Research Domains

Research at the intersection of materials, interfaces, electrochemistry, coatings, and device integration.

Energy Storage Materials

Designing and understanding materials for next-generation energy storage, with particular interest in solid-state battery systems, electrochemical interfaces, and long-term stability.

Solid-State Interfaces Batteries

Thin Films & Coatings

Development of multi-layer spectrally selective thin-film coatings and transparent conductive systems for thermal control and architectural glazing.

Spectrally Selective Coatings Optics

Building Photovoltaics

Exploring device-relevant materials and coatings supporting solar integration into built environments, balancing efficiency and durability.

BIPV Solar Energy Sustainability

Group News

Live Updates
Aug 2026

New Paper Published on Solid-State Batteries

Our research team successfully published advanced findings on interface engineering in high-voltage energy storage systems.

Jul 2026

Ph.D. & Postdoc Positions Open

Applications are invited for motivated candidates to work on thin-film solar coatings and characterization techniques.

Jun 2026

Keynote Talk at National Energy Summit

Dr. Sudarshan Narayanan delivered an invited talk on next-generation functional coatings for green building integration.

May 2026

Research Grant Sanctioned

Group receives major funding support for developing advanced spectrally selective optical thin films.

Aug 2026

New Paper Published on Solid-State Batteries

Our research team successfully published advanced findings on interface engineering in high-voltage energy storage systems.

Jul 2026

Ph.D. & Postdoc Positions Open

Applications are invited for motivated candidates to work on thin-film solar coatings and characterization techniques.

Jun 2026

Keynote Talk at National Energy Summit

Dr. Sudarshan Narayanan delivered an invited talk on next-generation functional coatings for green building integration.

May 2026

Research Grant Sanctioned

Group receives major funding support for developing advanced spectrally selective optical thin films.

Academic Journey

Education & Career Summary

A background spanning materials science, thin-film coatings, energy devices, and battery materials across both academic and industry research environments.

Education

  • Aug 2009 - Aug 2014

    M.S., Ph.D. in Materials Science

    Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

  • Aug 2005 - Jul 2009

    B.Tech. in Engineering Physics

    Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India

Career Summary

  • Research Profile

    Materials Scientist & Energy Researcher

    Over 10+ years of combined academic and industry research experience in thin-film coatings, transparent conductors, and battery materials.

  • Application Areas

    From Materials to Devices

    Applications spanning architectural glazings, automotive windshields, optoelectronic devices, and solid-state batteries.

  • Research Vision

    Sustainable Energy Through Materials Innovation

    Passionate about integrating renewable energy generation and energy storage solutions to build a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Connect & Updates

Contact & Recent Announcements

Professional information, ongoing research updates, and group announcements.

Professional Information

For research collaborations, student opportunities, academic interaction, or technical discussions related to sustainable energy materials, batteries, coatings, and characterization science, please use the details below.

Designation

Assistant Professor

Department

Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, IIT Kanpur

Phone

0512-259-2356

Curriculum Vitae

View / Download CV