Summer Research Series: Manya Prakash, BE in Electronic and Computer Engineering

Course: BE Electronic and Computer Engineering

Supervisor: Dr. David McNulty

Name of Research Project/Activity: Biomass-Derived Conductive Carbons for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes and Functional Demonstration

Q) Can you tell me a bit about yourself and why did you decided to study the BE in Electronic and Computer Engineering at UL?

Throughout school, I have always been highly invested in volunteering and robotics, and combining the two has shaped many of my aspirations for the future. If I wasn’t taking part in science modelling or robotics competitions, I was assisting with digital awareness programs or volunteering as a computer science teaching aid for underprivileged schools. Even outside technology-related projects, my peers and I organised crowdfunding drives, visited retirement homes with supplies, distributed relief hydration in the summers, and helped get street animals vaccinated. These experiences showed me the many gaps where help was needed and how technology could play a key role in bridging them.

The clearest examples of integrating technology with human-cantered design came through my university research projects, including ATM accessibility for the visually impaired (at IIT Bhilai), CleanTech research on environmental monitoring in industrial spaces (at Pennsylvania State University), and MedTech solutions such as automated health monitoring or AI-based smart resource allocation algorithms for high-demand medical emergencies like COVID (at IIT BHU, Varanasi). These opportunities confirmed my interest and persistence with the field.

Choosing Electronic and Computer Engineering at UL felt like a natural step. It allows me to work at the intersection of technology and human-cantered design in a much hands-on manner.

Q) What motivated you to apply for the Summer Bursary Programme?

As mentioned, I have always spent my free time in research-intensive environments, and those experiences shaped many of my academic interests. I am very keen on continuously learning and hopefully finding a niche or direction for my future through opportunities like this. I am really thankful to UL for allowing me to continue that tradition through the Summer Bursary Programme.

Since the start of my course, I wanted to explore how I can connect the things I am learning with other fields. Through UpStart, I was able to achieve this as cross-department research. I was able to apply many of the skills from my course in practice. Further, I also experienced the interdependence of different disciplines, which allowed me to venture into much broader perspectives.

Q) What are you doing as part of your research here at UL?

As part of my research at UL, I am working on developing biomass-derived conductive carbons for use as anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The goal is to create a sustainable, low-cost alternative to commercial graphite by converting renewable or waste biomass into functional carbon materials. The biomass in question was Coffee Ground waste and Brewery waste, which were processed in different ways to observe optimal results. The biomass is first processed through controlled pyrolysis, and then further optimized with treatments such as ball milling and thermal annealing to improve conductivity and control porosity.

After synthesis, the materials are tested in CR2032 coin cells, where the biomass-derived carbon serves as the anode and lithium metal is used as the counter electrode. We use electrochemical techniques like charge-discharge cycling, rate testing, and cyclic voltammetry to measure performance, focusing on capacity, efficiency, and stability compared to standard graphite.

To demonstrate practical applicability, we are also building a small electronic unit powered entirely by these coin cells. The circuit will drive an e-paper display, showing how waste-derived carbon materials can power real-world low-power devices such as those used in IoT applications.

This project is very exciting because it not only supports circular economy principles by valorising waste but also contributes to the development of greener energy storage solutions that are essential for the future of electric vehicles and portable electronics.

Q) what skills have you developed over the summer?

Over the summer, I developed a wide range of technical and research skills. I learned to work with lithium-ion batteries from the very basics, including electrode synthesis, prototyping, and electrochemical testing. In addition to the lab work, I learned how to carry out comprehensive literature reviews, organise observations, and analyse results by comparing them with theory. I also gained experience working alongside people from different academic backgrounds, which offered many unique insights.  

Q) What has this experience taught you and what would you recommend it to others?

As a first-year student, getting the chance to do research so early helped me better understand my own capacity and discover where my interests genuinely lie, giving me clearer direction for how I want to grow academically. I also realised there is no better way to learn than by doing, and this hands-on experience really strengthened my confidence. This experience has taught me the true value of interdepartmental research. Working across disciplines showed me how interconnected different fields are, and how real solutions often need expertise from more than one area. Another highlight for me was attending guest lectures from experts in the field, many of whom were working on cross-departmental projects themselves. That exposure reinforced how important collaboration is in modern research and made the whole experience even more inspiring.

Because of that, I would strongly recommend the programme to anyone who has the opportunity. It is an excellent way to challenge yourself, gain new perspectives, and build both technical and personal skills.  

Q) What are your future career plans, would you consider a career in research?

I hope to prioritize opportunities that focus on active human-centered design and problem-solving, while also allowing me to materialise these solutions so that people can benefit through better access to resources. Research is definitely something I would consider, especially since I enjoy working on projects that have direct, practical impact. Just like this summer research at UL which was very meaningful to me, because lithium-based energy storage is becoming increasingly crucial with the rise of electric vehicles and portable devices. Work like this not only deepens my enthusiasm for technical knowledge but also aligns closely with my goal of contributing to solutions that can be scaled for real-world impact. 

Learn more about the BE in Electronic and Computer Engineering