As India works toward its ambitious goal of energy sustainability under the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency and National Solar Mission, reducing the growing demand for electricity in buildings and developing new green power solutions are critical priorities. A large share of energy in urban areas goes into cooling buildings, while dependence on fossil fuels continues to strain the environment. To address this, a team of researchers at IIT Bhilai comprising of Nishikanta Singh, Durgesh Kumar Sinha, Koushik Mahata, Dillip Bhoi, Tejram Dewangan, Katchala Nanaji, led by Dr Sanjib Banerjee have developed a smart polymer material that can both cut energy use in buildings and generate clean power.

 

The material, designed by the team of Dr Banerjee, behaves like a smart window coating-it automatically adjusts transparency with changes in temperature, reducing heat inside buildings and cutting down on air-conditioning costs. At the same time, the same gel can be used as an electrolyte in small power-generating devices, showing its potential for sustainable energy applications beyond buildings. “This breakthrough demonstrates how one material can serve two critical roles in energy sustainability-helping us save energy and also create it,” said Dr. Sanjib Banerjee. “Such multifunctional solutions are essential if India is to meet its clean energy goals in a cost-effective and scalable way.” The kye benefits of the gel are Energy savings in buildings: Smart windows reduce cooling needs by automatically adjusting transparency with temperature.

 

Green power generation: The gel doubles as an electrolyte for eco-friendly power devices. Cost-effective and scalable: One material serves dual energy functions, reduc ing technology costs and complexity. By combining energy efficiency and green power generation into a single material, this innovation aligns directly with India’s national missions on clean energy and sustainability. It reduces reliance on multiple technologies and offers a pathway toward smarter, greener cities. This research has been published in the world-renowned journal Advanced Functional Materials (Wiley-VCH), underscoring IIT Bhilai’s contribution to India’s clean energy future.