Kathmandu [Nepal], August 19 – Nepali-born scientist Dr Shiba P. Adhikari has earned international recognition after electro-lithium, a battery technology he helped develop was named among the winners of the prestigious 2026 R&D 100 Awards.
Adhikari a materials scientist at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory played an important research role in developing the technology Argonne said in a press release.
Often called the “Oscars of Innovation,” the R&D 100 Awards recognize 100 significant new technologies developed each year with past winners making major contributions to science, medicine, industry and everyday life.
Adhikari began his scientific journey in Nepal where he studied chemistry before pursuing advanced education abroad. He earned a master’s degree in Materials Chemistry from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Wake Forest University in the United States.
He later worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory before joining Argonne’s Applied Materials Division in 2022.
Electro-lithium uses an electrochemical process to add lithium to battery-active materials and form a protective layer around active particles before final battery assembly. The approach could simplify battery manufacturing, reduce processing time and energy consumption, and potentially lower production costs.
Adhikari has authored more than 40 scientific publications and is an inventor on multiple US patents. His research spans advanced materials, battery technologies, MXenes, two-dimensional materials, electrocatalysis and energy systems.
The award marks a significant milestone in his research career and highlights the growing international impact of his work in advanced battery and energy technologies.
