The global share of solar and wind energy is rapidly increasing. However, conventional battery-based energy storage devices face limitations in charging speed and efficiency. Lithium-ion batteries have made significant progress in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness, but they still cannot overcome the issues of long charging times and limited lifespans. In this context, the 'quantum battery' offers a fundamentally different approach at the level of physics and is gaining attention.

At the heart of quantum batteries lie 'quantum entanglement' and 'superabsorption'. Quantum entanglement refers to the phenomenon where particles share their states instantaneously, regardless of distance, while superabsorption describes how multiple atoms can cooperatively absorb energy. By combining these two phenomena, it becomes theoretically possible to charge energy much faster and more efficiently than through classical methods, according to recent studies.

A joint team from 'PSL Research' and the 'University of Pisa' recently demonstrated that charging speed can surpass classical limits by exploiting quantum entanglement. Their research showed that when 'atomic ensembles are quantum mechanically coupled', the charging time does not increase linearly but can instead decrease exponentially relative to the system size.

Although this model remains at the experimental stage, it provides evidence that 'Quantum Advantage' could be realized in the field of energy. Until now, discussions of quantum advantage have focused mainly on computation, but this study shows its potential application to 'real-world challenges in energy storage and transfer'.

The findings were featured in *Popular Mechanics* and have attracted interest as a next-generation technology that could transform physical possibility into industrial reality.

In conventional batteries, the more cells a system has, the more the charging process is distributed, meaning the total charging time increases proportionally. In contrast, quantum batteries leverage the effect of superabsorption, where multiple cells can 'absorb energy cooperatively and simultaneously'. Theoretically, with N cells, the charging speed scales not as N but as 'N²'.

This mechanism represents more than a mathematical curiosity. It suggests that future electric vehicles, large-scale energy storage systems, and even wearable devices could see charging times reduced dramatically. The vision of “a full day’s use after just a few minutes of charging” is no longer a marketing slogan, but a 'new paradigm that is physically possible'.

While the concept of quantum batteries is compelling, several hurdles must be addressed experimentally:

1. 'Decoherence Problem': Quantum entanglement is fragile and can collapse when interacting with the external environment. The biggest challenge is maintaining stable entanglement through repeated charging and discharging cycles.

2. 'Scale-Up': Experimental success has been demonstrated with small groups of atoms or molecules, but it remains uncertain whether the same effect can be preserved at the scale of practical batteries.

3. 'Materials Limitations': Developing materials and structures that can sustain quantum effects is essential, and this effort is closely tied to ongoing research in semiconductors and quantum computing.

Thus, quantum batteries are still a technology of the “someday,” not the “immediate.” Yet, just as semiconductors were the product of decades of fundamental research in physics, quantum batteries may also achieve commercialization through long-term investment and scientific progress.

If quantum batteries become a reality, their influence would go far beyond charging speed:

* 'Revolution in the EV Industry': Charging times for electric vehicles could be reduced to just a few minutes, removing one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption.

* 'Renewable Energy and Long-Term Storage': Large-scale storage devices are needed to address the intermittency of solar and wind power. Quantum batteries could provide a new tool for managing electricity at seasonal scales.

* 'National Energy Strategies': By reducing dependence on scarce metals and strengthening grid stability, they could drive policy shifts in energy security and industrial competitiveness.

For resource-dependent countries like South Korea, early participation in research and technology development could determine future advantages in 'energy security and industrial competitiveness'. In Europe and the United States, quantum battery research has already become the focus of government projects and private investment, while Asian countries are also expanding participation through research institutes and startups.

Even if quantum batteries are not commercialized immediately, the announcement by PSL Research and the University of Pisa provides a clear direction. The combination of 'quantum entanglement and superabsorption' has proven that surpassing classical batteries in charging speed is physically possible.

Over the next 10 to 20 years, with advances in fundamental physics, material science, and industrial applications, we may see the rise of 'quantum computing and quantum batteries as twin drivers' of a new revolution in both energy and information. The vision of “a world where devices can always be charged quickly” is no longer science fiction, but a scientific reality steadily approaching.

Popular Mechanics, 2025, “Quantum Batteries Could Deliver Power Faster Than Classical Cells”, PSL Research & University of Pisa.