Kuzhikalail M. Abraham
Kuzhikalail M. Abraham | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1945 Not specified |
| Occupation(s) | Researcher, Professor |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Known for | Lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer battery technologies; invention of ultrahigh energy density lithium–air battery |
Kuzhikalail M. Abraham is a distinguished American researcher specializing in lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer battery technologies, credited with the invention of the ultrahigh energy density lithium–air battery. He heads E-KEM Sciences based in Needham, Massachusetts, and holds a professorship at Northeastern University's Center for Renewable Energy Technologies in Boston.
Early life
Born in 1945 as the firstborn among nine siblings, Abraham completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemistry at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, where he was awarded the Thevercad gold medal in 1965. During his M.Sc. studies from 1965 to 1967, he was supported by a national merit scholarship granted by the Indian government.
He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Tufts University in 1973, an institution that later recognized him with its Most Outstanding Achievement and Services Award in 2017. Following his doctorate, he pursued postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology between 1973 and 1975, concentrating on inorganic materials synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, and advanced materials characterization.
Career
Abraham has contributed over 200 scholarly articles and holds fifteen patents related to lithium and lithium-ion battery materials and their performance optimization. His authority on Li-ion battery materials, safety, and functionality has been highlighted by prominent publications such as Wired Magazine—notably after incidents involving Boeing 787 Li-ion battery fires—Chemical and Engineering News, and the Wall Street Journal, which covered Tesla Motors' Li-ion battery Gigafactory. He is also a faculty member within the chemistry department at Northeastern University.
The Electrochemical Society honored him with the Battery Research Award for his exceptional work on lithium batteries and inducted him as a Fellow. His scientific journey was featured in the society's Master Series podcast. Additionally, he holds Fellowship status with the Royal Society of Chemistry and was awarded the International Battery Association's Yeager Award in 2018 for his distinguished pioneering efforts in rechargeable lithium battery technology.
Abraham is listed in various Marquis Who's Who editions, including Who's Who in America and Emerging Leaders in America. In 2011, The Kerala Center presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Award for Applied Science, followed by recognition at the New England Choice Awards for Academia & Innovation in 2021.
Between 2006 and 2008, he chaired the Battery Division and served on the board of directors of the Electrochemical Society, having previously held positions as vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. In 2009, he led its Battery Research Award Committee. During the 1980s, he also held leadership roles within the Boston Local Section of the Electrochemical Society.
His memberships include the American Chemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, Sigma Xi, and Electrochemical Society. Since its formation in 2018, Abraham has been a board governor for the Kerala Development and Innovation Council (K-DISC).
A trailblazer in rechargeable lithium battery research and development, Abraham demonstrated functional rechargeable lithium batteries as early as the late 1970s. He pioneered stable electrolyte formulations that enabled sealed high-capacity rechargeable lithium batteries capable of enduring several hundred charge-discharge cycles—advancements that preceded commercially viable Li-ion batteries. His development of highly conductive gel polymer electrolytes supported by microporous membranes became foundational to today's commercially prevalent lithium-ion polymer batteries.
Among his other innovations are rechargeable sodium batteries designed for moderate temperature applications, high-energy non-aqueous lithium-sulfur batteries, ultrahigh energy non-aqueous lithium-air battery systems, and chemical overcharge protection mechanisms for rechargeable lithium and Li-ion cells. These technologies continue to play a vital role across portable electronics, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy storage sectors. Abraham’s expertise integrates fundamental scientific principles with practical engineering solutions for advanced battery technologies.
In 2022, Dr. Abraham endowed a fund at his alma mater, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala, to support a Smart Classroom dedicated to chemistry education along with scholarships aimed at underprivileged undergraduate students, honoring the legacy of the Kuzhikalayil Family.
Books
- M. Winter, K. M. Abraham, D. H. Doughty, Z. Ogumi, N. J. Dudney (2010). Rechargeable Lithium-ion Batteries. Published by the Electrochemical Society.
- B. Scrosati, K. M. Abraham, W. A. van Schalkwijk, J. Hassoun (2013). Lithium Batteries: Advanced Technologies and Applications. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- M. Doyle, E. Takeuchi, K. M. Abraham (2001). Proceedings of the International Symposium on Rechargeable Lithium Batteries. Electrochemical Society.
- K.M. Abraham, High Power Batteries for Hybrid EV and Portable Power (2009), Published by The Electrochemical Society
- A. Manthiram, K. M. Abraham, J. Xu, T. Abe, J.-I. Yamaki (2009). Rechargeable Lithium and Lithium Ion Batteries, The Electrochemical Society
- K. Zaghib, T. Duong, J. Prakash, A. Landgrebe, K. M. Abraham, I. B. Weinstock (2008). Characterization and Prevention of Failure Modes of Lithium Ion Batteries in Transportation