A new kind of battery that could charge almost instantly and even power devices remotely is no longer just a theory. According to reporting highlighted by The Guardian, Australian researchers have built what they describe as the world’s first working prototype of a quantum battery.
It’s a device that can charge, store, and discharge energy using the principles of quantum mechanics. The breakthrough comes from a team led by scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and marks the first time a quantum battery has completed a full charge–store–discharge cycle.
How does a quantum battery actually work?
Unlike traditional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, quantum batteries use light and quantum interactions to store energy. One of their most surprising properties is that they can charge faster as they get bigger, thanks to something called “collective effects.” In simple terms, adding more quantum cells actually speeds up charging, which is the exact opposite of how conventional batteries behave.
The current prototype can charge in femtoseconds (a quadrillionth of a second) and is powered wirelessly using a laser, which converts light into electrical energy. What’s more, is that same mechanism also opens the door to something even more futuristic: remote charging. Researchers say devices like drones or even cars could potentially be charged while in motion, without ever needing to plug in.
How close are we to using this in real gadgets?
Not very, at least for now. The current prototype can only store a tiny amount of energy and holds its charge for just a few nanoseconds, making it impractical for everyday devices like smartphones or laptops.
Researchers say the next big challenge is increasing both capacity and storage time. Until then, quantum batteries are more likely to find early use in niche areas like quantum computing, where their unique properties could offer real advantages. Still, the implications are hard to ignore. If the technology matures, it could potentially lead to never needing to plug in at all.