Palani Balaya is an assistant professor in the faculty of engineering at the National University of Singapore. He is also a lead author for a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). His research interests surround nano-ionic systems, such as solar energy conversion and lithium ion batteries

Who or what inspired you to become a scientist? 

My teachers inspired me and referred me to one of the best schools in India for further studies. During my BSc I was fascinated by physics and the simple laws involved in physical phenomena. I further strengthened my background in physics as I received a research fellowship and started working on my PhD. None of this would have happened without the inspirational teachers and my own observations of physics in everyday life. 

You have an interest in electrochemical energy storage. What prompted this interest? 

During my PhD I was gradually moving towards ionic conductors and then to glassy electrolytes. I have been working on energy storage since 2001 when I was at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany. I worked on model materials for ionic and electronic conduction such as SrTiO₃, RuO₂, which are critical components of several power sources (Li-batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, dye solar cells). 

What projects are you currently working on? 

I am primarily involved in continuing my work in the area of energy storage based around Li-ion batteries. But I have also taken my research in a new direction with an emphasis on solar energy. This came about because the Singaporean government was very interested in initiating research in solar energy in 2007 and it came up with a proposal for starting a new institute dedicated to this field. I was asked if I was keen to participate in the development of this new institute along with a few other members of the university. Now, I spend two thirds of my time researching lithium storage materials and the other third on solar energy based research. 

How does your research relate to climate change? 

The conclusion of the climate change Assessment Report 4 (2007) was to mitigate climate change and to look into renewable energy sources more carefully. In March 2011, there will be an IPCC special report on renewable energy sources for climate change mitigation (IPCC-SRREN). I am a lead author for this report and my contribution to the report, as a technologist, is to the solar energy chapter. There are around 12 people from different countries involved in this project and our goal is to contribute on solar energy. There will also be seven more technology chapters and four chapters on integration of technologies, potential deployment, policy etc. 

How important is the work of the IPCC? 

The work of the IPCC is extremely important. Renewable energy sources, I believe, are one of the best solutions to climate change mitigation. Of course, whatever we propose in IPCC are relevant technologies and innovative ideas for deployment. It will not be enough for the technological development to take place all by itself. It has to go hand in hand with complementary policy decisions in different countries. The sole purpose of IPCC is to make a short summary for policy makers so they can implement them in their respective countries throughout the world. Thus, there is a need for people to use such renewable energy sources so that costs become competitive to fossil fuels.

What's going to be the next big thing in your field? 

Firstly, we are looking into Li-ion batteries as a short-term goal for power sources. We want to develop our own Li-ion battery technology for both light and heavy electric vehicles. Recently we had a nice result on mesoporous titania published in Energy and Environmental Science, which shows both superior storage performance and high tapping density, which are ideal criteria for Li-ion batteries. We are also working towards developing new battery technologies interacting closely with industrial companies. Secondly, our long-term goal is to develop hybrid solar cells (organic/inorganic) with the aim of mass production of such solar cells within five years. 

What do you love about your job? 

There are two things that I love the most about my job. They are teaching and research. I am blessed with a nice research and teaching environment that will allow me to achieve my short and long term goals. 

You have worked in India and Europe. What attracted you to move to Singapore? 

For me, Singapore is unique. Geographically, it is not too far from India so I can keep in touch with my family quite easily. Secondly, Singapore is multicultural with a strong Indian culture, which interests me. I visited Singapore in 2005 for a conference and was keen to move there after that. Fortunately, I was able to secure a faculty position at the National University of Singapore in 2006 and moved there at the beginning of 2007. Apart from the geographical location and cultural aspects, I was also keen to go there because the National University of Singapore is among the top 30 universities in the world. Singapore also provides an excellent corporate environment for research with good prospects for research funding. 

You appear to have a very busy work life. What do you do in your spare time? 

I have become relatively quite busy and hardly have any spare time as I juggle my research group, teaching responsibilities, IPCC, etc. However, when I do get some time to myself I enjoy spending it with my family and friends. At the Max Planck Institute, I used to teach yoga to fellow mates. At NUS, I am yet to resume this hobby. 

If you weren't a scientist, what would you be? 

I would have been a teacher. Teaching is one of my own personal interests and is one of the reasons why I became an academic. I enjoy seeing my students progress and become competent people in their own right.