Pramoth Varsan Madhavan

PhD Candidate | Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineer | Laboratory Manager
Portrait of Pramoth

Pramoth Varsan Madhavan is a dedicated researcher and engineer specializing in electrochemical energy systems, with over four years of hands-on experience in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, water electrolyzers, and green hydrogen technologies. Currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Waterloo, Pramoth leads cutting-edge research on materials optimization, advanced coatings, and data-driven performance modeling for sustainable energy solutions.

His work uniquely combines electrochemistry with machine learning, enabling breakthroughs in catalyst development, predictive corrosion modelling, and hydrogen infrastructure reliability. Pramoth has developed novel alloy coatings and AI-based frameworks that significantly enhance system durability, reduce precious metal usage, and improve overall efficiency, often exceeding industry and US Department of Energy (DOE) benchmarks.

An active contributor to both academic and professional communities, Pramoth serves as a lab organizer, mentor, and teaching assistant. His research is widely published in top-tier journals and supported by extensive prototyping, advanced characterization techniques, and simulation tools.

When he’s not in the lab, Pramoth is passionate about mentoring students and advancing collaborative clean energy innovation. He's open to new opportunities and collaborations across academia and industry that align with his mission to accelerate the global transition to clean hydrogen technologies.

Projects at FCGEL:

  1. Ex-situ and In-situ Characterizations of Coated Metallic Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.
Image showing 1. Ex-situ and In-situ Characterizations of Coated Metallic Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.
  1. Modelling Anti-Corrosion Coating Performance of Metallic Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells: A Machine Learning Approach.
Image showing 2. Modelling Anti-Corrosion Coating Performance of Metallic Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells: A Machine Learning Approach.
  1. Data-Driven Modelling of Corrosion Behaviour in Coated Porous Transport Layers for PEM Water Electrolyzers.
Image of data-Driven Modelling of Corrosion Behaviour in Coated Porous Transport Layers for PEM Water Electrolyzers.
  1. Long short-term memory time series modelling of pressure valves for hydrogen-powered vehicles and infrastructure.
Image of long short-term memory time series modelling of pressure valves for hydrogen-powered vehicles and infrastructure.
  1. Optimization of Catalyst Composition and Performance in PEM Fuel Cells: A Data-Driven Approach.
Image of optimization of Catalyst Composition and Performance in PEM Fuel Cells: A Data-Driven Approach.

Publications:

  1. Madhavan, P. V., Shahgaldi, S., & Li, X. (2024). Ex-situ Characterization of Nb-Ti Alloy/Pt Coated Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Energy Conversion and Management, 311, 118536.
  2. Madhavan, P. V., Shahgaldi, S., & Li, X. (2024). Modelling Anti-Corrosion Coating Performance of Metallic Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells: A Machine Learning Approach. Energy and AI, 17, 100391.
  3. Madhavan, P.V., Zeng, X., Shahgaldi, S. and Li, X., 2024. Investigation of Cr2SiC Ceramic MAX Phase Coated Metallic Bipolar Plates in Ex-situ Conditions for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 96, pp.1232-1242.
  4. Madhavan, P.V., Shahgaldi, S. and Li, X., 2025. Long short-term memory time series modelling of pressure valves for hydrogen-powered vehicles and infrastructure. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 124, pp.67-83.
  5. Madhavan, P.V., Moradizadeh, L., Shahgaldi, S. and Li, X., 2025. Data-driven modelling of corrosion behaviour in coated porous transport layers for PEM water electrolyzers. Artificial Intelligence Chemistry, 3(1), p.100086.
  6. Moradizadeh, L., Madhavan, P.V., Chellehbari, Y.M., Gupta, A., Li, X. and Shahgaldi, S., 2024. Porous transport layers with low Pt loading having Nb–Ta alloy as interlayer for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 94, pp.1114-1129.
  7. Moradizadeh, L., Madhavan, P.V., Ozden, A., Li, X. and Shahgaldi, S., 2025. Advances in protective coatings for porous transport layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers: Performance and durability insights. Energy Conversion and Management, 332, p.119713.
  8. Madhavan, P. V. (2022). FPGA Based Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (master’s thesis, University of Waterloo).

Professional profile:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pramoth-varsan-madhavan-890a80141

Research profile:

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=wjHlSloAAAAJ&hl=en

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=59203526200

Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/LZE-8085-2025

Achievements:

1st prize 3MT competition: “Coated Metallic Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Ex-situ and In-situ Characterizations” at the World Fuel Cell Conference 2024 in Ningbo, China.

Mitacs Globalink Graduate Fellowship: Awarded CAD 15000 for one year (2021) during the MASc program at the University of Waterloo.

Certifications:

International Aviation Sustainability Certificate (IASC) – Waterloo Institute of Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA)

Essentials for NX Designers – Siemens

NC Turning Programming - Siemens

Email address:

pvmadhav@uwaterloo.ca

Office location:

ERC 3018

Links
Contact information: Pramoth Varsan Madhavan