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About us

Bala Materials Lab is a research group led by Dr Nilanthy Balakrishnan, specialising in the discovery and optimisation of advanced materials for next‑generation energy technologies. Our work sits at the interface of physics, chemistry, materials science, and machine learning, with a strong focus on understanding and engineering materials that enable cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable energy solutions.

We investigate the fundamental physical properties of materials, including:

  • Optical properties

  • Electrical transport

  • Structural characteristics

  • Electrochemical behaviour

 

Using this understanding, we design and engineer material systems that push the boundaries of energy storage and conversion performance.

materials and research themes

Our research spans a diverse range of advanced material platforms, including:

  • Two‑dimensional (2D) materials (Transition metal dichalcogenides, MXenes, III‑VI chalcogens, etc.)

  • Metamaterials

  • Bio‑based polymers

  • Biomass‑derived nanomaterials

 

From materials synthesis with tailored functionalities to data‑driven materials discovery, our research integrates experimental techniques and computational modelling to accelerate innovation in energy technologies.

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Principal Investigator

 

 

Dr Nilanthy Balakrishnan

Senior Lecturer

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences

Keele University

Newcastle‑under‑Lyme, ST5 5BG

Staffordshire, United Kingdom

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📧 Email: n.balakrishnan@keele.ac.uk

📞 Tel: +44 (0)178 273 3045

 

Profiles:

Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZpZDsNEAAAAJ

ORCID - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7236-5477

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/nilanthy-balakrishnan-1a15a424

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Collaboration and Engagement

 

We welcome collaborations with:

  • Academic researchers

  • Undergraduate and postgraduate students

  • Industrial partners

who share our interest in advanced materials and sustainable energy technologies.Together, we aim to shape the future of energy. 

Funded Projects

 

2024 – Present: Smart electrodes for energy storage devices — EPSRC

2022: Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy to study surface and interface effects of 2D materials — Royal Society

2021 – 2023: Feasibility of III‑VI 2D layered materials for flexible and wearable devices — Royal Society

2021 – 2022: Sustainable metal chalcogenide anodes for high‑energy sodium‑ion batteries — British Council

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