Dr. Hab. Amrita Jain from the Division of Advanced Composite Materials, Department of Mechanics of Materials at the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN), has recently completed a scientific visit to India supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The visit focused on research collaboration with academic partners, participation in expert activities, and discussions aimed at strengthening international scientific cooperation and academia–industry partnerships.
At IPPT PAN, Dr. Jain conducts research in materials engineering, with a particular focus on materials for electrochemical energy storage. Her work includes sustainable electrode materials, polymer and ionogel electrolytes for supercapacitors. Her research also involves the development of materials derived from biomass and other renewable resources, as well as investigations of electrochemical processes occurring at the electrode–electrolyte interface that are essential for improving the performance and durability of energy storage devices.
The main part of the visit took place at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore), where Dr. Jain worked with the research group led by Prof. Rajesh Kumar. Their ongoing collaboration focuses on developing of electrochromic materials and devices, while also exploring new directions in functional materials and electrochemical technologies.
An important element of the visit was interaction with PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers at IIT Indore. Discussions covered current research challenges in functional materials, electrochemistry, and advanced materials engineering. Reflecting on these meetings, Dr. Jain said:
"The discussions with young researchers were particularly rewarding. Their enthusiasm, technical expertise, and strong interest in functional materials created an excellent environment for exchanging ideas and experiences."
During her stay, Dr. Jain also served as an external expert in the evaluation of PhD researchers applying for promotion from Junior Research Fellow (JRF) to Senior Research Fellow (SRF), contributing to the academic assessment process at IIT Indore.
The visit also included meetings with Prof. Abhishek Srivastava, the Dean of Faculty, and Prof. Prabhat K. Upadhyay, the Dean of International Affairs. The discussions focused on expanding long-term cooperation between IIT Indore and IPPT PAN through joint research projects, researcher mobility, and broader institutional collaboration.
As part of the programme, Dr. Jain visited Aartech Solonics Limited, a company specializing in advanced energy engineering solutions, including energy storage technologies, ultracapacitor applications, and power system reliability. During her meeting with Mr. Amit Raje, Chairman and Managing Director, discussions explored opportunities for collaboration in energy storage technologies and the transfer of research outcomes to industrial applications.
Another important meeting took place at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, where Dr. Jain met Prof. Amit Paul, whose research focuses on electrochemistry, nanomaterials, supercapacitors, and advanced materials for energy storage. The discussions highlighted opportunities to combine fundamental academic research with industrial engineering expertise to accelerate the development and implementation of sustainable energy technologies, strengthen grid resilience, and support the green energy transition.
The visit further strengthened the research partnership between IPPT PAN and IIT Indore while establishing new connections with academic and industrial partners in India. It laid the foundation for future collaborative activities in functional materials, electrochromic devices, and electrochemical energy storage technologies.
