This innovation addresses challenges associated with the high cost, scarcity, and environmental concerns of cobalt, a key component in conventional lithium-ion batteries.

These materials enhance lithium-ion movement, resulting in improved battery performance, greater stability, higher capacity retention, and longer-lasting energy storage, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

However, cobalt presents several challenges, including its high cost and price volatility, limited availability, with major sources in countries like Cuba, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea, and significant environmental and ethical concerns associated with its extraction.

These issues are becoming increasingly critical as the demand for EVs and lithium-ion batteries continues to grow.

Projections indicate that by 2050, the global supply of cobalt may not meet the rising demand, underscoring the urgent need to develop alternative materials, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

Development

The research team from NIT Rourkela developed magnesium-based cathode materials as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to cobalt.

Their patented work (Patent No. 554274, Application No. 202431014198) demonstrates that magnesium can effectively replace cobalt in cathode structures without compromising performance.

Additionally, magnesium is environmentally friendly, helping to reduce the ecological impact of battery production, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

Cobalt-free cathodes

The cobalt-free cathodes developed by the research team offer several key benefits. Magnesium ions enhance structural stability, effectively addressing issues like ion mixing that often degrade cobalt-based cathodes.

This results in improved performance, with the new cathodes retaining 74.3% of their original capacity even after 100 charge-discharge cycles—a significant advancement over traditional designs.

Additionally, the use of magnesium reduces production costs, making lithium-ion batteries more affordable and accessible, say researchers from NIT Rourkela.

Research

Dr. Partha Saha said their research shows that the new cathode retains 74.3% of its original capacity after 100 charge-discharge cycles, a significant improvement over the rapid capacity loss observed in traditional cobalt-based cathodes.

Additionally, the new cathode minimizes the cationic disorder of nickel in lithium sites—a common issue in traditional NMC-based cathodes that leads to capacity and voltage fade, he said.

Implications

This breakthrough has wide-ranging implications and applications. It paves the way to produce affordable, high-performance batteries for electric vehicles, contributing significantly to the growing EV industry, say researchers from NIT Rourkela.

Additionally, it supports India’s renewable energy goals by enabling cost-effective energy storage solutions essential for sustainable development.

By reducing dependency on imported materials, this innovation also enhances India’s self-reliance in battery production, strengthening the country’s position in the global energy market.

Significant step

NIT Rourkela’s pioneering work in developing cobalt-free cathodes is a significant step toward creating sustainable, affordable, and high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

This innovation will not only benefit industries and consumers but also support India’s vision of a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.

The research significantly aligns with the Government of India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Mission, which promotes research and development for EV adoption in India and focuses on the indigenization of battery technologies under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, reinforcing the country’s push toward self-reliance and sustainability in the EV sector.

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While this is for the first session of the test, candidates can apply for the second session also till 18 April 2025.

They can also choose to apply exclusively for second session later. BITSAT 2024 registration process for the second test will be open from 26 May to 10 June, 2025.

This is the test to be taken for those who wish to join graduation courses in BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) which has campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai.

BITSAT 2025 registration is now open for the first test session, candidates can apply for second session also now.

BITSAT 2024 registration process for the second test will be open from 26 May to 10 June, 2025. There is more to it than meets the eye.

Students have two options now, they can apply to write the test in the first session, those who wish to attempt the exam later, can submit BITSAT 2025 registration for the second session.

What is BITSAT 2025?

The full name of Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test. It is popularly known in its shorter form BITSAT.

This is an institutional-level entrance test that is conducted twice a year. BITSAT 2025 is meant to be conducted this year. The first session is to happen from 26 May 2025 to 30 May 2025.

Second session of BITSAT 2025 will take place from 22nd June 2025 to 26th June 2025. It will be conducted online where answers have to be marked on a computer screen.

The format of questions is multiple choice, where each question will have more than one option and the right one has to be chosen to get the marks.

BITSAT will have questions related to Maths/Biology, Physics, English Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, Physics and Chemistry.

The applicants must study plus two from a recognized educational institution. Students focused on pharmacy courses must pass plus two with biology, physics and chemistry.

Those aiming for engineering courses have to study plus two with maths, physics and chemistry.

How to undertake BITSAT 2025 registration?

The process to take up BITSAT 2025 registration is online. Candidates have to visit the official website of the exam to submit applications.

The URL to reach the official website is ‘https://bitsadmission.com/’ The process is mentioned below:

1.The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser of the computer and submitted to allow the website to download.

2. Once the website is ready, candidates can scroll down the page and click the button BITSAT-2025: Click here to apply for BITSAT-2025

3. Clicking the above button will open another webpage with URL ‘https://cdn3.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/1823/92362/Index.html?_gl=1*1ay7xdy*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NDA2NjAyNDEuQ2p3S0NBaUF0NEMtQmhCY0Vpd0E4S3AwQ1J1MkVuRXVyRGw4NVJRRkVfTlBVRmo4R3JNRThsWTNnQ1RjcTJlMU1BTlgyM01hMXpPZWtob0NDQ2NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTY3MDY1ODYzMC4xNzQwNjMwMjk0*_ga*MzE4NjUyODMuMTc0MDYzMDI5NA..*_ga_DYQ0HEBE5Z*MTc0MDY2MDI0MS4yLjEuMTc0MDY2MTEwNC42MC4wLjEwODQyNDkzMjU.’

4. Once the webpage with above URL opens, they can click the link for registration and create an account.

5. After creating an account, they can login and start BITSAT 2025 registration for the exam.

6. The registration fee has to be paid and then BITSAT 2025 registration form has to be submitted.

Link to submit BITSAT 2025 registration is here

How to download the hall ticket

Students who have successfully completed the process of submitting BITSAT 2025 registration alone can download hall tickets.

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The process to download admit cards is online, candidates have to visit the official website. The URL to access the official website is ‘https://www.bitsadmission.com/’

The same for the second session are to be available for download from 20th June, 2025 to till the exam date.

The tests must be passed with the required qualifying marks for the next process which involves counselling and document verification.

Those who get a seat in the course of their choice can convey their acceptance and pay the fees and join the classes.

Details about the admission procedure, courses offered and facilities provided can be obtained from the official website.

The institution has created a space for itself on the field of higher learning.