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The paradoxical concept of quantum batteries challenges conventional notions of energy storage. Scientists have built the first working prototype of a device that, unlike its conventional counterparts, charges faster the larger it is.
Conventional batteries, which operate on the basis of electrochemical processes, take longer to recharge as their capacity increases. According to James Kwoch of the Australian government research agency CSIRO, the laws of quantum mechanics operate differently at the micro level. In March 2026, his team demonstrated the first functional prototype of a quantum battery, which has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector.
Modern power sources rely on chemical reactions, which some experts consider outdated. As Dario Ferraro of the University of Genoa notes, the value of quantum batteries lies not in storing a huge amount of energy, but in the ability to release it much faster and with greater control. A 2015 study demonstrated that the phenomenon of quantum entanglement allows energy to be stored and released more efficiently than with classical counterparts.
Kvoch’s design uses an optical microcavity with two mirrors spaced 100 nm apart. The space between them is filled with organic dye molecules, and a laser is directed into it. This creates a state of superabsorption, in which the molecules act in unison: the rate of energy absorption increases proportionally to their number. Kwoch’s prototype charges in femtoseconds and maintains its charge for nanoseconds (which is six orders of magnitude longer than the charging process). In March 2026, the researchers succeeded in extracting an electric current from the device.
Unlike superconducting concepts, which require cryogenic temperatures below -150 °C, Kwoch’s method operates at room temperature. Mauro Paternostro of Queen’s University Belfast considers the resonator method to be the best evidence for the physics of quantum charging, although the superconducting approach may prove more convenient for energy extraction.
Currently, the prototype can store only a few billion electronvolts for nanoseconds. To move closer to powering real-world devices, Kwoch has created a new hybrid structure with classical layers for long-term energy storage and plans to combine many microscopic batteries into a single system.
The main obstacle remains the vulnerability of quantum states to the external environment, which causes energy leakage. Scientists expect that the first application of this technology will be in quantum computing, where it will reduce energy consumption and the number of errors. The prospect of powering electric vehicles or smartphones remains a topic of debate, and controlling the release of stored energy remains a key challenge.
Read also: 100 years of quantum physics: From 1920 theories to computers