Batteries for Future; The Birth of Na+ Batteries
Institution: Imperial College London, UK and Deakin University, Australia
Coming from an underprivileged community did not stop Dr Mohd Azri Ab Rani, the son of a FELDA settler, from achieving milestones in one of the renowned institutions in the United Kingdom. He obtained his PhD in Ionic Liquids from Imperial College London at the prime age of 28 years old. He then continued his post-doctoral studies in Kyoto University, Japan under the guidance of Prof. Rika Hagiwara.
Dr Azri currently works as senior lecturer in the Applied Sciences Faculty at UiTM Shah Alam. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards for his research such as Special Award in Innovation at The Asia Innovation Show 2018, GOLD Award at The 4th International Innovation Design and Articulation (i-IDeA) 2018, Gold Award at the International Invention, Innovation & Design Competition (IIID) Johor 2017, Gold Award at the International Exposition on Syariah Compliant Idea, Invention, Innovation & Design (ISCIIID) 2016. Dr Azri not only contributes to the academic society but is also active in humanitarian efforts locally and internationally. Among the volunteering acts that he recently participated are the Cambodia Concerned Mission, Humanitarian Acts Across Borders, Volunteer Cum Trainer, Outreach Programme, Chow Kit Road’s for the Homeless and Nur Iman’s Journey Across Borders in Cambodia.
Dr Azri’s interest in Green Chemistry has led to his current research in sodium (Na+) batteries to produce a battery that has excellent performance, safe and cost effective. This study will lead to the expansion of knowledge on application of Na+ ion batteries in the near future.