Scientists discover a quantum effect that could eliminate batteries
Summarize this article with:
Science News from research organizations Scientists discover a quantum effect that could eliminate batteries Date: June 4, 2026 Source: Queensland University of Technology Summary: Researchers have discovered how microscopic imperfections and atomic vibrations can be used to control a powerful quantum effect in an advanced material. The effect can turn alternating electrical signals from the environment directly into the kind of current electronic devices need, without traditional components. As temperature changes, the signal can even flip direction, giving scientists a new way to tune device performance. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Tiny defects inside a quantum material may hold the key to battery-free electronics powered by energy already floating around us. Credit: AI/ScienceDaily.com Scientists have uncovered a new way to control an unusual quantum phenomenon that could one day help power electronic devices without batteries. An international research team led by Professor Dongchen Qi from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) School of Chemistry and Physics and Professor Xiao Renshaw Wang from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore investigated the physics behind the nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE), a quantum phenomenon with significant potential for future energy-harvesting technologies. Unlike the classical Hall effect, the NLHE can convert alternating electrical signals directly into direct current. This means energy from wireless transmissions or other ambient sources could potentially be transformed into usable electricity without relying on conventional diodes or other bulky electronic components. "The NLHE is a sophisticated quantum phenomenon in condensed matter physics where a voltage is generated perpendicular to an applied alternating current, even in the absence of a magnetic field," Professor Qi said. "This effect allows us to convert alternating signals straight into direct current, which is what's needed to power electronic devices. In principle, it means sensors or chips that could operate without batteries, drawing energy from their environment." Quantum Material Shows Stable Performance at Room Temperature To better understand how the effect works, the researchers examined a high-quality topological material known for its unusual electronic behavior. Their experiments showed that the nonlinear Hall effect remains stable even at room temperature, an important step toward practical applications outside the laboratory.
The team also discovered that temperature plays a key role in determining both the strength and direction of the electrical voltage produced by the material. How Defects and Atomic Vibrations Control the Effect At lower temperatures, tiny imperfections within the material had the greatest influence on the quantum effect. As temperatures increased, naturally occurring vibrations in the crystal structure became more important. This shift caused the direction of the generated electrical signal to reverse, revealing a previously unseen mechanism for controlling the phenomenon. "Once you understand what's happening inside the material, you can design devices to take advantage of it," Professor Qi said. "That's when quantum effects stop being abstract and start becoming useful -- supporting future applications ranging from self-powered sensors and wearable technology to ultra-fast components for next-generation wireless networks." The findings provide new insight into how quantum materials behave and could help researchers develop smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient technologies that harvest power from their surroundings. RELATED TOPICS Matter & Energy Graphene Engineering and Construction Physics Electricity Computers & Math Spintronics Research Computers and Internet Mobile Computing Computer Science RELATED TERMS Quantum computer Quantum entanglement Introduction to quantum mechanics Nanotechnology Solar power Nanoparticle Robot Quantum dot Story Source: Materials provided by Queensland University of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Xueyan Wang, Tao Hou, Zherui Yang, Shengyao Li, Tianli Jin, Cong Xiao, Zdenek Sofer, Dong-Chen Qi, Guoqing Chang, Xiao Renshaw Wang. Unraveling scattering contributions to the nonlinear Hall effect in topological insulator Bi2Te3. Newton, 2026; 2 (4): 100410 DOI: 10.1016/j.newton.2026.100410 Cite This Page: MLA APA Chicago Queensland University of Technology. "Scientists discover a quantum effect that could eliminate batteries." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 June 2026. . Queensland University of Technology. (2026, June 4). Scientists discover a quantum effect that could eliminate batteries. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 4, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023917.htm Queensland University of Technology. "Scientists discover a quantum effect that could eliminate batteries." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023917.htm (accessed June 4, 2026). Explore More from ScienceDaily RELATED STORIES Scientists Discover Atoms Suddenly Spinning Backward in Quantum Experiment May 24, 2026 Scientists have directly watched angular momentum move through a crystal for the very first time — and discovered a bizarre twist along the way. Using ultra-powerful terahertz laser pulses, ...
Controlling Molecular Electronics With Rigid, Ladder-Like Molecules Aug. 26, 2024 As electronic devices continue to get smaller and smaller, physical size limitations are beginning to disrupt the trend of doubling transistor density on silicon-based microchips approximately every ...
Physicists Build New Device That Is Foundation for Quantum Computing May 1, 2024 Scientists have adapted a device called a microwave circulator for use in quantum computers, allowing them for the first time to precisely tune the exact degree of nonreciprocity between a qubit, the ...
Discovery Unravels How Atomic Vibrations Emerge in Nanomaterials Feb. 4, 2022 A hundred years of physics tells us that collective atomic vibrations, called phonons, can behave like particles or waves. When they hit an interface between two materials, they can bounce off like a ... Ultrafast and Coupled: Atomic Vibrations in the Quantum Material Boron Nitride Oct. 12, 2021 Materials consisting of a few atomic layers display properties determined by quantum physics. In a stack of such layers, vibrations of the atoms can be triggered by infrared light. New experimental ... Atomic-Scale Tailoring of Graphene Approaches Macroscopic World June 18, 2021 Properties of materials are often defined by imperfections in their atomic structure, especially when the material itself is just one atom thick, such as graphene. Researchers have now developed a ... TRENDING AT SCITECHDAILY.com The Best Exercise Combination for Longevity, According to a 30-Year Study Popular Weight-Loss Drug Found To Slow Biological Aging in Landmark Human Trial Doctors May Need To Rethink Calcium and Vitamin D Recommendations After Major Review Researchers Suspected Brain Inflammation in Long COVID but Found Something Else