Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) and the national science agency (CSIRO) have developed a method to extend the lifetime of quantum batteries (QBs) by 1,000 times.
The research is attempting to address the problem of superradiance, which causes rapid self-discharge in Dicke QBs, due to rapid radiative emission losses, despite the technology’s capacity of superabsorption for very fast charging.
The scientists applied a novel method to extend energy storage lifetime by incorporating molecular triplet states into the battery design, which are “dark” and don’t readily emit light, offering longer lifetimes compared to “bright” singlet states responsible for superabsorption.
They tested multilayer microcavities comprising a donar layer (Rhodamine 6G), which absorbs energy from light, and an acceptor (storage) layer (PdTPP*), which allows absorbed energy to be transferred to the dark molecular triplet states.
Image: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
The paper identifies two mechanisms to transfer energy in this way, but experiements focussed on an optically driven transfer at polariton-triplet resonance, with the scientists saying though their demonstration is optical, the potential for designing QBs that allow energy extraction as an electrical current, exists.
Study co-author and RMIT PhD candidate Daniel Tibben said the research is inching closer to a working quantum battery.
“While we’ve addressed a tiny ingredient of the overall piece, our device is already much better at storing energy than its predecessor,” he said.
A paper published in PRX Energy, Extending the Self-Discharge Time of Dicke Quantum Batteries Using Molecular Triplets discusses the build of five devices, the best of which allowed energy to be stored more efficiently, 1,000 times longer than previous demonstrations, improving the energy storage from nanoseconds to microseconds.
Study co-author and RMIT chemical physicist Professor Daniel Gómez said their study marks a significant advancement for quantum batteries and paves the way for improved designs.
“While a working quantum battery could still be some time away, this experimental study has allowed us to design the next iteration of devices,” Gómez said.
“It’s hoped one day quantum batteries could be used to improve the efficiency of solar cells and power small electronic devices.”
Image: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Paper Co-author and CSIRO’s Science Leader Dr James Quach, who led previous experiments said Australia is leading the way in experimental quantum battery research and this work is a significant advancement.
Gomez and his team at RMIT have engaged industry partners to collaborate on designing the next iteration of prototypes.
Funding was provided by the Australian Research Council, the European Union and an RMIT University Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellowship.
*Palladium(II) 5,10,15,20-(tetraphenyl)porphyrin
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.