Most batteries in India and the world are lithium-ion based and primarily sourced from China. Changing the scenario, these twin sisters from India have developed indigenous fast-charging eco-friendly batteries made of crop stubble or crop residue that can run electric vehicles.
Every year crop stubble or residue burning causes massive pollution in Northern India, especially during the winters causing dense smog that captures New Delhi and nearby areas. The act has not ceased despite directives from the government. The said startup can bring forth a solution for the farmers who can earn from selling the stubble and stop burning in due process.
Nikita and Nishita Baliarsingh launched their startup Nexus Power in Odisha in 2020 to build a green alternative as efficient and effective as other batteries available in the market.
A report by The Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) in November 2020 states that a total of 5, 30,560 EVs (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, and buses) were sold in India. This is largely affected by the hike in petroleum prices. The Baliarsingh sisters aim to take to EVs across all vehicle segments. They have also started designing batteries for mobiles, and consumer electronics.
Speaking to Life Beyond Numbers, Nikita shared that the sisters wanted to manufacture electric vehicles, but their research revealed that consumers did not prefer EVs over conventional IC Engine cars “because of long battery charging time, expensive cars, and toxicity hazards”.
Also, read: This Himachali Woman Offers Sustainable Products Obtained Directly From The Mountains
“We wanted to help improve the e–mobility sector. The gap in demand and supply forced us to investigate the root cause of the skepticism. Our research led us to realize that the battery had to be perfect to make electric vehicles popular. We focused on continuous research and development, and finally ended up making an effective innovation in EV batteries,” said Nikita Baliarsingh.
Choosing crop stubble for batteries
Choosing crop stubble or residue as a raw material for batteries struck the sisters because of their sharp memory and clear understanding of the basics. It was a humble Biochemistry book from their grandfather’s library that came in handy for the Odisha-born sisters to create the eco-friendly version.
“It is still so clear in my mind. There was a statement that read, ‘Proteins may have potential benefits in electrolytes’. That was the turning point. This could be termed as the founding fact of Nexus Power,” shared Nikita.
Yet their educational background was very different from what was needed to make EV batteries.
Nikita did a master’s course in media and mass communication, and Nishita was into corporate finance. When they decided to enter the EV market, Nishita went on to study battery thermal management, hybrid electric vehicle designing and innovation, and IP rights in a bid to find battery solutions for electric vehicles. Likewise, Nikita did a couple of courses in selecting nanomaterials for energy storage.
“We spent almost six months only on theoretical research on bio-organic batteries. Our first prototype was built at home during the lockdown with simple household objects. A cell consists of three structural elements – the cathode, anode, and electrolyte. Our process of manufacturing plays with the chemistry of the cell and builds all these elements with nanodot proteins derived from crop residue. Our batteries are lithium ion-free. We procure the crop remains from local farmers, and by applying a unique extraction and filtration process, we manufacture rechargeable energy-storing EV cells out of it,” she added.
Also, read: This Young Entrepreneur Upcycles Scrap Tyres To Make Sustainable And Fashionable Footwear
The USP of Nexus is that the raw materials are derived from natural compounds, which are either underutilized or wasted by other industries. At the same time, procurement of crop waste helps the farmers in earning an additional income of ₹25,000 for every 100 batteries.
“We have a sustainable manufacturing process with a zero-waste model. The production of our batteries creates bio-fertilizer as by-products, which we intend to return to the market to facilitate a favorable agricultural yield. That way we ensure a circular and viable green model,” Nikita emphasized.
Another specialty of these batteries is that they charge eight to 10 times faster than conventional ones and last 20% to 30% longer.
Also, read: This Revolutionary EV Kit Can Turn Your Good Old Cycle Into An Electric Bike
“Most importantly, once the batteries die, they can be recycled at no extra cost, which is not the case with the regular EV offerings. Made out of bio-degradable material, the cells rule out toxicity hazards, and using crop residue ensures that some of it is not burnt, which in turn protects from deterioration of air quality. Our entire process is energy efficient and sustainable,” informed Nishita.
Their incredible invention has helped them take home several awards, including that of being the ‘Best Sustainable Enterprise’. The sisters also made it to the Forbes 30 under 30 list.
They have been funding their work through various sources that include Jito Angel Network and grants from the Government of India facilitated by KIIT University and also assistance from the Government of Odisha. Their battery has advanced in R&D and is now open to collaborations for trials.