Pushing the limits of battery performance means combining precise materials analysis with strategies for rapid, effective implementation. In this Q&A, senior materials scientist Pragathi Darapaneni, PhD, shares insights from her work across national labs, industry, and consulting, offering guidance on advanced analytical techniques, balancing speed and precision in testing, and building future-ready skills for materials characterization.
Q: You’ve worked across national labs, industry, and consulting—how have those different environments shaped your approach to research and problem-solving?
A: Each environment taught me to approach problems from a different lens. At national labs like Argonne, the focus was on deep fundamental science—understanding materials behavior at the atomic scale and publishing breakthroughs for the global research community.
Pragathi Darapaneni, PhD
Industry roles at Schaeffler Group, USA and Martinrea International, Inc. required balancing innovation with manufacturability, cost, and timelines, so I learned to quickly translate lab results into production-ready solutions.
Consulting sharpened my ability to assess emerging technologies objectively and provide actionable, unbiased recommendations.
Together, these experiences have made me both detail-oriented and outcome-focused—able to bridge the gap between blue-sky ideas and practical deployment.
Q: From your perspective, what are the most critical analytical techniques for understanding lithium-ion battery performance at the atomic and nanoscale?
A: Techniques like synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are essential for probing oxidation states and crystal structures in real time. At the nanoscale, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) reveal morphology and interfacial chemistry with sub-nanometer resolution. Complementary methods like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provide surface chemical insights, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) connects those structural changes to performance metrics.
In my work at LSU’s CAMD synchrotron, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, I have leveraged these techniques to track atomic-level transformations during charge/discharge cycles—data that is crucial for understanding degradation pathways.
Q: Many labs struggle to balance speed and depth when characterizing battery materials. How can lab managers decide which methods to prioritize for their specific R&D goals?
A: The choice should be driven by the failure modes you’re trying to prevent or the performance metrics you’re aiming to improve. For early-stage R&D, depth matters—advanced spectroscopy or microscopy can reveal fundamental mechanisms before scaling. For applied product development, speed is often the priority, so high-throughput screening methods (like automated XRD, Raman, or electrochemical cycling) should be emphasized. A hybrid approach—quick screening followed by targeted deep-dive analysis—often gives the best ROI on time and resources.
Q: What are some of the most common issues you’ve seen cause batteries to lose performance, and how can advanced testing catch these problems early?
A: Key culprits include lithium plating on the anode, cathode surface degradation, electrolyte decomposition, and microstructural cracking of electrodes. These issues often start subtly, long before they cause catastrophic failure. Advanced in-situ or operando testing—such as synchrotron-based UPS, XRD, or XAS during cycling—can detect phase transitions, gas evolution, or loss of active material in real time. Coupled with EIS and dQ/dV analysis, these techniques allow researchers to pinpoint degradation triggers early and adjust material or design choices before scale-up.
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Q: Battery technology is evolving quickly. What skills or knowledge should today’s lab leaders and scientists develop to stay ahead in materials characterization?
A: Future-ready lab leaders should be fluent in multi-modal characterization—integrating structural, chemical, and electrochemical data to form a complete picture. Skills in data analytics, AI-driven materials informatics, and automation are increasingly important to handle the volume and complexity of data from advanced instruments. Additionally, understanding supply chain constraints and sustainability considerations will be critical, as material availability and recyclability will shape future chemistries.
Q: What other important insight can you share that we haven’t covered yet?
Materials characterization is no longer just a support function—it is a driver of innovation in batteries. As energy storage moves toward solid-state, sodium-ion, and next-generation chemistries, the ability to “see” at the atomic level in real time will be the difference between incremental improvement and disruptive breakthrough. I would also highlight the value of underutilized resources like LSU’s CAMD synchrotron—facilities that, while not widely known, can deliver unparalleled precision for battery R&D.
Bio: Pragathi Darapaneni, PhD, is a senior materials scientist with extensive expertise in battery technology, catalysis, and luminescent materials. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Materials Science and Engineering from Louisiana State University. Over the past decade, Darapaneni has worked across top-tier institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory, Martinrea International, and Schaeffler Group, and currently serves as an independent senior technical consultant for advancing materials innovation.
Her research has led to the development of high-performance battery electrode materials, novel catalytic systems, and rare-earth-free phosphors, supported by four US patents and over a dozen peer-reviewed publications. Darapaneni is highly proficient in analytical characterization methods such as SEM, HRTEM, XANES, XRD, XPS, FTIR, and electrochemical techniques, with a particular focus on understanding surface and interface phenomena that govern material performance. She is also an active reviewer for leading scientific journals and has been recognized for her contributions to sustainable energy and advanced functional materials.
