Developed by CSIRO, RMIT University, and the University of Melbourne, the multi-layered organic prototype uses laser wireless charging and quantum superposition at room temperature.
Scientists in Australia have engineered a device that can be charged, store that energy, and then discharge it using the principles of quantum mechanics rather than conventional chemical reactions. The breakthrough brings quantum batteries out of abstract theory and into a physical laboratory setting, marking a significant step toward next-generation energy storage.
CSIRO and University Researchers Build First Working Prototype
The collaborative project brings together Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, alongside RMIT University and the University of Melbourne. While practical quantum batteries remain far from commercial grade, the team’s small layered organic device successfully demonstrates all three fundamental battery functions: charging, storing, and releasing energy. Research lead, CSIRO quantum science and technical science head Dr James Quach said his ultimate ambition is a future where electric cars charge much faster than fuel petrol cars, or charge devices over long distances wirelessly.
Unlike contemporary energy storage systems that rely on slow chemical transformations, quantum versions leverage core quantum mechanical properties such as superposition and entanglement. The prototype features a multi-layered organic microcavity and is wirelessly charged with a laser, showing how energy could be delivered without direct physical connections.
Breaking Conventional Rules: Why Larger Quantum Batteries Charge Faster
The most striking finding to emerge from the laboratory tests involves how the technology scales. Traditional chemical batteries gain no efficiency as they increase in size, but the quantum prototype demonstrates the exact opposite behavior.
“Our study found quantum batteries charge faster as they get larger, which is not how today’s batteries work.”
Daniel Tibben, study co-author and RMIT PhD candidate
This counterintuitive performance stems from collective quantum effects. Dr James Quach explained the behavior in an article authored by Quach in The Conversation, noting a counterintuitive twist to quantum battery storage unit behavior, where the units charge faster together than if they were charging alone. Let’s say your quantum battery has N storage units, and each unit takes one second to charge. Collective effects mean that if all units are charged at once, each unit will take only 1∕√N seconds to charge,
Quach wrote.
Advanced Spectroscopy Confirms Energy Retention
To verify the unusual charging behavior, researchers utilized advanced spectroscopy techniques to confirm the prototype’s charging behaviour, which showed it retained stored energy for six orders of magnitude longer than it took to charge.
The findings were published on March 13 in the Light: Science and Applications journal, titled Superextensive electrical power from a quantum battery.
Co-author Daniel Gómez, an RMIT Professor of Chemical Physics, explained that the device marks a major milestone. We demonstrated a device that can be charged, store that energy and then discharge it,
Gómez said. This is an exciting development in a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field. Hopefully quantum batteries will soon no longer be a theoretical idea but something than can be built in the lab.
“While there’s still much work to be done in quantum battery research, we’ve made an important move towards realising the possibilities.”
Dr James Quach, CSIRO Science Leader
Next Steps and Future Energy Possibilities
The team is now working to extend how long quantum batteries can hold their charge. As Dr Quach noted, the next step for quantum batteries right now is extending their energy storage time, and if they can overcome that hurdle, they would be that bit closer to commercially viable quantum batteries.
“My ultimate ambition is a future where we can charge electric cars much faster than fuel petrol cars, or charge devices over long distances wirelessly.”
Dr James Quach, CSIRO Science Leader
As the project moves forward, CSIRO is seeking interest from potential development partners.
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