Abstract Quantum engineering seeks to create novel technologies based on the exploitation of distinctly nonclassical behaviors such as quantum coherence. The vast majority of currently pursued applications fall into the domain of quantum information science, with quantum computing as the most visible subdomain. However, other applications of quantum engineering are fast emerging. Here, we review the deployment of quantum engineering principles in the fields of solar energy, batteries, and nuclear energy. We identify commonalities across quantum engineering approaches in those apparently disparate fields and draw direct parallels to quantum information science. We find that a shared knowledge base is forming, which de facto corresponds to a new domain that we refer to as ‘quantum energy science’. Quantum energy science bears the promise of substantial performance improvements across energy technologies such as organic solar cells, batteries, and nuclear fusion. The recognition of this emerging domain may be of great relevance to actors concerned with energy innovation. It may also benefit active researchers in this domain by increasing visibility and motivating the deployment of resources and institutional support.
Abstract Quantum engineering seeks to create novel technologies based on the exploitation of distinctly nonclassical behaviors such as quantum coherence. The vast majority of currently pursued applications fall into the domain of quantum information science, with quantum computing as the most visible subdomain. However, other applications of quantum engineering are fast emerging. Here, we review the deployment of quantum engineering principles in the fields of solar energy, batteries, and nuclear energy. We identify commonalities across quantum engineering approaches in those apparently disparate fields and draw direct parallels to quantum information science. We find that a shared knowledge base is forming, which de facto corresponds to a new domain that we refer to as ‘quantum energy science’. Quantum energy science bears the promise of substantial performance improvements across energy technologies such as organic solar cells, batteries, and nuclear fusion. The recognition of this emerging domain may be of great relevance to actors concerned with energy innovation. It may also benefit active researchers in this domain by increasing visibility and motivating the deployment of resources and institutional support.
Quantum engineering seeks to create novel technologies based on the exploitation of distinctly nonclassical behaviors such as quantum superposition. The vast majority of currently pursued applications fall into the domain of quantum information science, with quantum computing as the most visible subdomain. However, other applications of quantum engineering are fast emerging. Here, we review the deployment of quantum engineering principles in the fields of solar energy, batteries, and nuclear energy. We identify commonalities across quantum engineering approaches in those apparently disparate fields and draw direct parallels to quantum information science. We find that a shared knowledge base is forming, which de facto corresponds to a new domain that we refer to as 'quantum energy science'. Quantum energy science bears the promise of substantial performance improvements across energy technologies such as organic solar cells, quantum batteries, and nuclear fusion. The recognition of this emerging domain may be of great relevance to actors concerned with energy innovation. It may also benefit active researchers in this domain by increasing visibility and motivating the deployment of resources and institutional support.
A growing research community spanning quantum batteries, molecular and excitonic energy transport, polaritonics, quantum materials and nuclear control has begun to describe its work in terms of quantum energy or quantum energy science. What connects these otherwise disparate efforts is the deliberate use of quantum states, couplings, collective effects and engineered environments to control energetic states and pathways. A key difference from quantum information science is that the complete quantum state does not always need to be preserved; engineered dissipation or dephasing can even improve the desired outcome. We organize this emerging domain through a framework that connects mechanisms, functions, capabilities, and applications. We identify five elementary functions (Excite, Hold, Release, Transfer, and Transform) and examine the mechanisms that implement them. The same functions recur from the molecular to the nuclear scale, although their relative implementation difficulty can differ sharply. Moving toward technology, we highlight three engineering capabilities (Storage, Routing, and Conversion) through the performance metrics that matter for their applications. Stretch scenarios illustrate what performance targets could make these capabilities technologically consequential.
Quantum Computing technology is currently prevailing as a promising candidate for expanding the research horizons in the areas of power engineering and transportation. An across-the-board view of this technology identifies that the intersecting research of interest which covers both areas is the identification of innovative energy storage technologies. Quantum Computers (QC) provide the capability to develop an innovative energy storage system, but its operating principles encompass the domains of Quantum Physics (QP) and Quantum Mechanics (QM) and thus limit the understanding of its underlying functionality. The applicable storage system under research using QC, termed Quantum Battery (QB) is considered to be a theoretical construct, which means that it is not directly observable. This paper attempts to piece together the QM and its applications in a QC, directed towards the identification of an innovative QB, by providing a review of the existing researches. Also, the explanations of various postulates and their corresponding formulations leading to the QM framework behind a QB is presented. This is followed by a review of the underlying operation of a QC and its application in performing battery research. A summary of the existing QB researches is also presented which are categorized into particle- and chemistry-driven (quantum) battery researches.
The aim of this paper is to report on the state of the art of the literature on the most recent challenges in the energy domain that can be addressed through the use of quantum computing technology. More in detail, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the scope of the literature review considered in this paper is specifically limited to forecasting, grid management (namely, scheduling, dispatching, stability, and reliability), battery production, solar cell production, green hydrogen and ammonia production, and carbon capture. These challenges have been identified as the most relevant business needs currently expressed by energy companies on their path towards a net-zero economy. A critical discussion of the most relevant methodological approaches and experimental setups is provided, together with an overview of future research directions. Overall, the key finding of the paper, based on the proposed literature review, is twofold: namely, (1) quantum computing has the potential to trigger significant transformation in the energy domain by drastically reducing CO2 emissions, especially those relative to battery production, solar cell production, green hydrogen and ammonia production, as well as point-source and direct-air carbon capture technology; and (2) quantum computing offers enhanced optimization capability relative to relevant challenges that concern forecasting solar and wind resources, as well as managing power demand, facility allocation, and ensuring reliability and stability in power grids.
Quantum mechanics has emerged as one of the most transformative scientific revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries, extending far beyond its initial theoretical foundations into practical applications across engineering, materials science, information technology, and nanotechnology. Its principles, such as wave�particle duality, superposition, and entanglement, form the backbone of modern innovations like quantum computing, quantum cryptography, semiconductor devices, and energy-efficient nanomaterials. This paper investigates the role of quantum mechanics in advancing technological frontiers, with an emphasis on engineering domains such as electronics, computing, and material design. A detailed discussion on quantum principles, their mathematical representation, and their translation into applied engineering technologies is presented. By linking theoretical constructs to real-world devices and emerging applications, this work highlights the significance of quantum mechanics as not only a fundamental science but also as a driver of future innovation.
Quantum computing and simulations are creating transformative opportunities by exploiting the principles of quantum mechanics in new ways to generate and process information. It is expected that a variety of areas ranging from day-to-day activities to making advanced scientific discoveries are going to benefit from such computations. Several early-stage applications of quantum computing and simulation have already been demonstrated, and these preliminary results show that quantum computing and simulations could significantly accelerate the deployment of new technologies urgently needed to meet the growing demand for energy while safeguarding the environment. Exciting examples include developing new materials such as alloys, catalysts, oxygen carriers, CO2 sorbents/solvents, and energy storage materials; optimizing traffic flows and energy supply chains; locating energy generation facilities such as wind and solar farms, and fossil and nuclear power plants; designing pipeline networks for transporting hydrogen, natural gas, and CO2; and speeding up tasks such as seismic imaging and inversion, reservoir simulation, and computational fluid dynamics. In this review, we introduce different aspects of quantum computing and simulations and discuss the status of theoretical and experimental approaches. We then specifically highlight growing number of application areas in the energy sector. We conclude by providing an analysis of high-value application directions to address energy sector challenges.