Australian scientists have made a significant leap forward in energy storage technology with the world's first proof-of-concept quantum battery, a development that could reshape how devices charge and potentially transform Australia's position in advanced technology exports.
The research by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, and collaborators RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, has been published in Light: Science & Applications. Unlike conventional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, quantum batteries leverage unique properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement. The battery the researchers engineered has a multi-layered organic microcavity and is wirelessly charged with a laser.
The breakthrough's most striking feature is counterintuitive to how today's energy storage works. Quantum batteries flip that on its head, with what Quach describes as a "really peculiar property" called collective effects, which allows quantum battery cells to charge faster when there are more of them grouped together. For Australian companies and exporters watching global energy trends, this represents a fundamental shift in the physics of power delivery.
The team used 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. To contextualise this disparity, the six orders of magnitude difference that was recorded is, Quach believes, similar to a battery that took a minute to charge but would ultimately stay charged for "a couple of years." Yet there's a significant catch: this prototype is only a proof of concept, with a capacity of only a few billion electron volts, which lead researcher Dr. James Quach of the Australian national science agency CSIRO describes as "very small and not enough to power anything useful."
The technology sits at an intersection of Australia's national quantum strategy and energy sector ambitions. Developing quantum technologies was named a national priority in 2023, and Australian projects include PsiQuantum's utility-scale computing facility in Brisbane and computer circuit technology by Quantum Brilliance in Victoria. CSIRO is seeking assistance from external groups to extend its progress, with potential investors including electric vehicle manufacturers and venture capital firms interested in deep quantum tech. Australia's quantum technology industry is estimated to generate $6.1 billion in annual revenue and create 35,000 jobs by 2045.
For the electric vehicle sector globally, the implications are substantial if the technology matures. The announcement comes after Australian households installed more than 250,000 home batteries under a federal government discount scheme, and electric vehicles represented a record 11.8 per cent of new cars sold in February. Here lies the pragmatic tension: charging speed remains one of EV adoption's largest barriers, yet quantum batteries as currently conceived may not address this need quickly enough.
Realistic timelines matter. While commercialisation may be years away, the research confirms key theoretical predictions and provides a glimpse into a future where energy storage is faster, more efficient, and potentially wireless. Current prototype limitations suggest commercial viability may require longer development timelines than initially projected. Competition from alternative technologies including solid-state batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen fuel cells could limit quantum battery market penetration.
Dr Quach's ambition is clear: "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." But he acknowledges the immediate work required. "While there's still much work to be done in quantum battery research, we've made an important move towards realising the possibilities," he said. "The next step for quantum batteries right now is extending their energy storage time. Progress is already evident—in July 2025, RMIT University and CSIRO researchers extended quantum battery lifetime by 1,000 times, from nanoseconds to microseconds.
For Australia, the immediate value lies not in consumer products but in positioning itself as a centre of advanced research that attracts global capital and talent. What distinguishes CSIRO's work from these international efforts is its room-temperature operation and use of organic materials rather than superconducting circuits. While superconducting approaches require expensive cryogenic cooling systems, CSIRO's organic microcavity operates at ambient temperature, a critical advantage for practical applications. Additionally, CSIRO's wireless laser-charging mechanism opens possibilities unavailable to superconducting designs, including potential remote charging applications for drones and vehicles. CSIRO is seeking interest from potential development partners.
The technology's potential market value remains speculative, but Australian exporters and investors should watch these developments closely. Energy storage capabilities underpin the global transition to renewable power and electrified transport. A mature quantum battery could reshape supply chains for critical minerals, manufacturing economics, and which nations lead clean energy markets in coming decades. For now, the breakthrough is genuine; the waiting game has only just begun.