Trinity Hall Fellow Vasant Kumar has been elected a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry.
A Professor in Materials Chemistry in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy he has more than 25 years of research experience in his field.
His research area is underpinned by the drive to be more ecologically aware in development of new materials and how they can be applied in the real world.
One recent example of industrial impact from Professor Kumar’s research relates to the development of a new environmentally clean-process for recovering electro-active paste material from automotive and off-grid renewable storage batteries.
This material can be re-used in making new batteries, eliminating waste and creating a ‘circular economy’ for these products.
Speaking of his new appointment Professor Kumar said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry.
“I share this recognition with all my research students, post-doctoral researchers, academic and industrial collaborators in Cambridge and from many parts of the world who have helped shape my research interests over the years.”
“And my very special thanks to the community of Trinity Hall, where scholarly inspiration starts. Education and Research are social phenomena from which I derive intense pleasure!”
Master of Trinity Hall Mary Hockaday said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Professor Kumar on his Fellowship. He is a distinguished, long-standing and highly valued member of the Trinity Hall community.
“He blazes a trail in helping tackle the global challenge of environmental sustainability through his research in very practical ways and by teaching and inspiring the next generations of students. We are very proud of his contribution and achievements.”
Alongside his research Professor Kumar has taken up the duties of a College Director of Studies and Tutor at Trinity Hall. He has supervised more than 40 PhD students, dozens of post-doctoral researchers and many visiting scholars.
He has also founded four start-up companies in order to commercialise some of his inventions.
For more on Professor Kumar see our webpages and the Departmental pages of the University of Cambridge.
The Royal Society of Chemistry was given its Royal Charter in 1980 and exists for the purpose of the general advancement of chemical science and its application.
Image shows Professor Kumar outside the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy.
