Scientists in Australia create quantum batteries with unprecedented capacity
In a groundbreaking development, researchers from RMIT University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have made a significant stride towards the practical application of quantum batteries. The team, led by PhD candidate Daniel Tibben, has published a paper in the journal PRX Energy, detailing a new method that extends the lifetime of quantum batteries by an astounding 1,000 times.
The research addresses a key limitation in previous quantum battery designs, namely rapid energy discharge. To achieve this breakthrough, the team focused on aligning specific energy levels within atoms and utilising molecular triplet states to enhance energy storage.
The alignment of energy levels, a crucial factor in the improved performance of the test devices, allowed for more stable energy retention, essential for increasing the battery's lifespan. The use of molecular triplet states enabled the researchers to harness quantum systems more effectively, contributing to the extended storage time.
Quantum batteries, unlike conventional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, leverage quantum mechanics principles, such as superposition and interactions between electrons and photons (light particles). These effects enable fast charging and potentially higher energy density compared to conventional batteries.
In theory, quantum batteries could charge extremely quickly and even charge from ambient room light. The devices developed by Tibben and colleagues hold charge for microseconds (millionths of a second), which is about a thousand times better than the nanosecond (billionth of a second) storage time of the previous record-holding devices.
Co-author Daniel Gómez, a chemical physicist at RMIT, stated that the study allows for the design of the next iteration of devices. It is hoped that one day, quantum batteries could be used to improve the efficiency of solar cells and power small electronic devices.
James Quach, Science Leader of CSIRO's Quantum Batteries Team, hailed this work as a significant advancement in experimental quantum battery research. The study was originally published by Cosmos, further highlighting Australia's leading role in the field.
This milestone is a step towards working quantum batteries, bringing us closer to a future where energy storage and retrieval could be revolutionised by the principles of quantum mechanics.
- The alignment of energy levels within atoms, a crucial factor in the improved performance of quantum batteries, could potentially contribute to advancements in health-and-wellness through the development of more efficient energy storage systems, such as improved solar cells for powering health-monitoring devices.
- The practical application of quantum batteries, enabled by the use of molecular triplet states and the extended storage time achieved by the team at RMIT University and CSIRO, could have far-reaching implications for the field of technology, particularly in the areas of fitness-and-exercise, where wearable devices with longer battery life could significantly improve user experiences.
