Joseph S. Gnanaraj

Visiting Research Scientist

Goddard Hall 118
508-831-5376 (Voice)
508-831-5853 (Fax)
gnanaraj@wpi.edu

Education & Experience

B.Sc., University of Madras, 1984
M.Sc., Bharathidasan University, 1989
M.Phil., Bharathidasan University, 1990
Ph.D., University of Pune, 1998
Post-Doct., Bar-Ilan University, 2003

Research

The demand for a lightweight, more powerful battery is unlikely to ever diminish as communication/satellite equipment continues to evolve and improve. The lithium-ion battery is the state-of-the-art rechargeable power source. It stores about twice the energy per unit mass or volume of conventional technologies and is hence very attractive. After years as a "niche" product appropriate only in specialized applications both rechargeable and non rechargeable lithium batteries are now used to power a variety of portable products and may soon be used in electric vehicles. Our research focuses on the synthesis, characterization and understanding of new compounds that can store more guest atoms per formula weight of host. This leads to batteries with even higher energy densities and allows reduction of the size of battery packs to power the same equipment.

Fundamental engineering and materials aspects of high-energy batteries are being researched, such as the thermal characteristics and cycle-life stability of Li-ion batteries and their electrodes, and the corrosion-resistance of special coatings for battery components.

Together with Lithion Inc., Pawcatuck, CT, we are developing high energy Lithium ion batteries for space applications. Surface of the electrode materials modified by carbon or silicon reduces the irreversible capacity, increase the Li intercalation capacity, and improve the electrode’s rechargeability. We are also collaborating with Superior Graphite, Chicago, IL of new form of graphitic carbon materials for Li batteries.

Selected Publications

The formation and growth of surface films on graphite anode materials for Li-ion batteries, J. S. Gnanaraj, R. W. Thompson, S. N. Iaconatti, J. P. DiCarlo, K. M. Abraham, Electrochem. Solid State Lett., 8 (2005) A128. [PDF]
High Capacity Anode materials for Lithium ion batteries, S. N. Iaconatti, J. P. DiCarlo, M. G. Gulbinska, P. G. Russell, J. S. Gnanaraj, 41st Power sources Conference, June 14-17, 2004, Philadelphia, PA. [PDF]
Design of electrolyte solutions for Li and Li ion batteries. A review, D. Aurbach, Y. Tal Yosef, B. Markovsky, Y. Markevitch, E. Zinigrad, L. Asraf, and J. S. Gnanaraj. Electrochim. Acta (2004). [PDF]
The Use of Vinylene Carbonate (VC) and Organo-Borate Complex (denoted as Merck’s AD25) as Additives in LiFAP for Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries, J. S. Gnanaraj, M. Schmidt and D. Aurbach, J. Electrochemical Soc. 151, A23 (2004). [PDF]
Improving the high temperature performance of LiMn₂O₄ spinel electrodes by coating the active mass with MgO via a sonochemical method, J. S. Gnanaraj, V. G. Pol, A. Gedanken and D. Aurbach, Eelectrochem Comm. 5, 940 (2003). [PDF]
An aqueous reduction method to synthesize spinel-LiMn₂O₄ nanoparticles as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries, V. Ganesh Kumar, J. S. Gnanaraj, S. Ben-David, David M. Pickup, Ernst R. H. van-Eck, A. Gedankena, D. Aurbach, Chem. Mater. 15, 4211 (2003). [PDF]
A Detailed Investigation of the Thermal Reactions of LiPF₆ Solution in Organic Carbonates Using Accelerating and Differential Calorimeters (ARC and DSC), J. S. Gnanaraj, E. Zinigrad, L. Asraf, H. E. Gottlieb, M. Sprecher, M. Schmidt and D. Aurbach, J. Electrochemical Soc. 150, A1533 (2003). [PDF]
LiPF₃(CF₂CF₃)₃: A Promising New Salt for Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries, J. S. Gnanaraj, M. D. Levi, Y. Gofer, M.Schmidt and D.Aurbach, J. Electrochem. Soc. 150, A445 (2003). [PDF]
The use of accelerating rate calorimetery (ARC) for the study of thermal reactions of Li-ion battery solutions, J. S. Gnanaraj, E. Zinigrad, L. Asraf, H. E. Gottlieb, M. Sprecher, M. Schmidt and D. Aurbach, J. Power Sources 119-121 (2003) 794. [PDF]
A comparison between the electrochemical behavior of disordered carbons and graphite electrodes, J. S. Gnanaraj, M. D. Levi, E. Levi, G. Salitra, J. E. Fischer and A. Claye, D. Aurbach, J. Electrochem. Soc. 148 (6): A525-A536 JUN 2001. [PDF]

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Last modified: August 08, 2007 15:53:47