Quantum Batteries

Quantum batteries employ the concept of quantum entanglement. Two European theoretical physicists have shown that it may be possible to build a near-perfect, entangled quantum battery. In the future, such quantum batteries might power the tiniest of devices — or provide power storage that is much more efficient than state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery packs.

To understand the concept of quantum batteries, we need to start (unsurprisingly) at a very low level. Today, most devices and machines that we interact with are governed by the rules of classical mechanics (Newton’s laws, friction etc.). Classical mechanics are very accurate for larger systems, but they fall apart as we begin to analyze microscopic (atomic and sub-atomic) systems — which led to a new set of laws and theories that describe quantum mechanics.

A quantum system (say, the single proton and electron in a hydrogen atom) has a quantum state, defined by the electron’s movements. (Quick aside: In our previous discussions ofspintronics and quantum computing, it is thespin of the electron (clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) that is converted into a qubit value). Some quantum states have a very small amount of energy that can be extracted, returning it to a passive, neutral state. In theory, according to Alicki and Fannes, it should be possible to build a quantum battery that is full of energy-rich quantum states — and then, somehow, recharge it when you run out of juice.

Better yet, the physicists also theorize that quantum entanglement could be used to create an even more efficient quantum battery. In essence, Alicki and Fannes say that you can link together any number of quantum batteries, allowing you to extract all of the stored energy in one big gulp (pictured above). Their research paper goes on to say that with enough entanglement, these batteries would be perfect — with no energy lost/wasted during charge or discharge.

As the Physics Arxiv Blog notes, such perfect energy transfer readily occurs in nature, such as during photosynthesis — but no one knows why. It’s just one possible explanation, of course, but maybe Gaea has a bit of a head start on quantum batteries.

It can assumed, in the article that the civilization has been able to not just practically apply the concept but also employ it in large devices.

Dyson Rings

Dyson sphere is a hypothetical megastructure that completely encompasses a star and hence captures most or all of its power output. It was first described by Freeman Dyson. Dyson speculated that such structures would be the logical consequence of the long-term survival and escalating energy needs of a technological civilization, and proposed that searching for evidence of the existence of such structures might lead to the detection of advanced intelligent extraterrestrial life. Different types of Dyson spheres correlate with information on the Kardashev scale.

Dyson Rings are a variation of the sphere. This will be comprised of rings of varying diameter which will orbit around the sun, collecting vast amount of Solar energy.