Energy-Water Nexus
A fundamental and applied research center jointly established with Heriot-Watt University, UK, dedicated to creating integrated, efficient energy-water systems for a global circular economy. The center brings together university academics, industry partners, and government agencies to develop real-world solutions and train the next generation of resource-management professionals.
Core innovation tracks
- Advanced energy-positive wastewater treatment
- Storable renewable energy solutions integrated with water systems
- Long-term sustainable resource management for water and energy security
The Vision
The KiTE Energy–Water Nexus Centre envisions a future that moves beyond conventional circular-economy practices: a future where wastewater is not merely treated and recycled but transformed through energy-positive systems; where renewable energy is not simply generated but seamlessly stored and strategically deployed; and where essential resources are managed with precision, achieving maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact to ensure long-term water and energy security.
Aligned with major UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 6
Access to Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 7
Access to Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 13
Climate Action
Areas of Collaboration
The Centre serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, uniting experts, innovators, and sustainability champions from academia, industry, and government to advance integrated solutions at the energy-water interface.
The Centre’s work spans a spectrum of high-impact domains, including:
Water Treatment Technologies
Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOPs)
Membrane Development
Nanotechnology Adsorption
Industry Waste Water Treatment
Desalination
Seawater Splitting
Renewable Energy Technologies:
Photovoltaics
Photothermal Desalination
Advanced Semiconductors
Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Electrochemical Technologies
Electrochemical Energy Storage
Electrochemical Energy Conversion
Electrochemical Sensors
Corrosion Protection
Electrocatalysis
Advanced Nanomaterials
Key Collaborators
Industry Collaborators
AB, Sweden
National Collaborators
International Collaborators
Key Members
Dr P. Shankar
Director
KGiSL Institute of Technology, India
Dr R. Karthick
Team Leader
CoE Lab, KGiSL Institute of Technology, India
Team members
Dr Geethamani
Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Selvaganpathy
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Nusrath Unnisa
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Suba
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Saravanan
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Immaculate Mercy
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dr Prabhakaran
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Keziah Gracelin
Research Assoc
Department of Chemistry
Dr. Renugadevi
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
Dr. Balaprabhakaran
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Dr. Bhagyalakshmi
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Dr. James Visuvasam
Assistant Professor
Department of Maths
Publications
Nabila Nawaz, Krzysztof Bienkowski, Karthick Ramalingam*, Aleksandra Parzuch, Piotr Wróbel, Marcin Strawski*, Renata Solarska*, Enhancing photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction: The impact of polyelectrolytes modification on copper oxide catalysts
Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2025, 99, 103160.
01
Nabila Nawaz, Saira Perveen, Karthick Ramalingam*, Krzysztof Bieńkowski, Piotr Wrobel, Marcin Pisarek, Shankar Prabhakaran, Nevill Gonzalez Szwacki*, Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, Renata Solarska*, Insights of Cu2O/Zn5 (OH) 8Cl2 photocathode architecture for an efficient photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction to multi-carbon products
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, 511, 162272.
02
R Renugadevi, E Shobhana, H Praveen, R Kesavasamy, Investigation on the structural, spectral, optical, thermal and mechanical studies of glycinium p-toluenesulfonate single crystal
Phase Transitions, 2025, 1-17.
03
AS Jebamalar Belciya J, Anitha R, Mohamed Roshan M, Renugadevi R, Synthesis, Quantum Chemical, Spectral, Optical, Thermal and Biological Studies on Sulfamethazine Single Crystal
Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2025, 37, 1358.
04
S Bagyalakshmi*, S Bhuvana, T Gomathi, A Sivakami, Kalyan S Kasthuri, KS Balamurugan, Recent Advances in Structural Engineering of Perovskite-Layered Transition Metal Oxides for Emerging Catalytic Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 113474.
05
Bagyalakshmi Shanmugam, Janarthanan Balasundaram, KS Radha, A Dinesh, Chandrasekaran Joseph, Manikandan Ayyar, M Santhamoorthy, S Santhoshkumar, Abdullah MS Alhuthali, Alsharef Mohammad, Ayman A Aly, M Khalid Hossain, Anthocyanin Enriched Sensitizer from Fruits of Blueberry in Photoanode of DSSC—an Extensive Experimental Analysis
Brazilian Journal of Physics 55 (5), 241.
06
A Sivakami, R Kumutha, S Bagyalakshmi, Vivek Jain, Kalyan S Kasturi, KS Balamurugan, MXene-MOF hybrid nanocomposite in hydrogen production: Challenges, strategies, and future perspectives
Journal of Molecular Structure, 1349, 143800.
07
S Bagyalakshmi* , KS Balamurugan, M Mathankumar, A Sivakami, NR Devi, Exploring metal organic frameworks/MXene based composite for an environmental applications-A critical review
Journal of Molecular Structure, 1334, 141838.
08
Projects
Advanced Research Grant (PI)
Inclusivity Research Grant (PI)
Advanced Research Grant (Co-PI)
Convergence Research Centre of Excellence (Co-PI)
Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PI)
National Institute for Solar Energy – Pilot Project (Collaboration with H2Next Startup)
Events
Delivery Talk: “Sustainable Research Framework Excellence: Defining the Path Forward” by Prof. Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, Heriot-Watt University
MoU sign between KiTE and ANEH Foundation for enhancing Research Framework
Discussion about Centre of Excellence initiatives with KiTE Faculties & Visit to Laboratory
Inauguration of Centre of Excellence by Dr. K. Kathirvelu, DEBEL, DRDO and Dr. Ashok Bakthavathsalam on August 22nd, 2025.
Facilities
Xenon Lamp Source
Electrochemical Workstation
Centrifuge
Vacuum Filtration
Peristaltic Pumps
Fume Hood
