Researchers have introduced a groundbreaking development in battery technology called the quantum battery, which can recharge an electric car in just 90 seconds. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce charging times for electric vehicles, potentially moving from hours to mere minutes. Scientists from the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea conducted meticulous calculations, revealing that quantum batteries could shorten home charging for electric cars from 10 hours to a remarkable three minutes. Furthermore, charging at supercharger stations could drop from about 30 minutes to just 90 seconds, equivalent to the time it takes to refuel a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The core principle behind quantum batteries lies in a phenomenon known as super-absorption, rooted in quantum mechanics. This concept relates to a molecule’s ability to absorb light and plays a pivotal role in speeding up the charging process. As molecules become increasingly entangled, the charging speed of quantum batteries escalates, making larger batteries charge even more rapidly. The researchers’ study, published in the physics journal Physical Review Letters, explains that this quantum speedup arises from collective charging operations within the cells, in contrast to classical batteries that charge each cell independently.

Although significant investment has flowed into quantum technologies like quantum computing and cryptography, quantum batteries have remained relatively unexplored in practical applications. Earlier this year, researchers demonstrated a proof-of-concept device that utilized lasers to charge a quantum battery. While further development is needed to create a fully functional quantum battery prototype, scientists are optimistic that this technology could usher in a new era of highly efficient batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices. These findings may encourage funding agencies and businesses to invest in quantum charging and quantum battery technologies, potentially revolutionizing our energy utilization methods and transforming how we store and harness energy.

Reference:

Gyhm, J.-Y., Šafránek, D., & Rosa, D. (2022 Quantum Charging Advantage Cannot Be Extensive Without Global Operations. Phys. Rev. Lett., 128, 140501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.140501