Diamond-based quantum battery holds charge longer without leaks

Researchers from Hubei University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Lanzhou University have developed a novel quantum battery (QB) design based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, addressing a major limitation of quantum energy storage: spontaneous energy loss or self-discharging. Unlike previous QB models that require a quantum charger and suffer from reduced useful work (ergotropy) due to charger-battery entanglement, this new design leverages the intrinsic hyperfine interaction between the NV center’s electron spin and nitrogen nucleus. This internal quantum feature suppresses self-discharge without external control, allowing the battery to retain energy longer and deliver more usable power. The NV center, a well-studied defect in diamond known for its stable spin properties at room temperature, provides a practical and realistic platform for quantum devices. This advancement overcomes two key challenges in quantum battery technology: decoherence-induced charging inefficiency and energy loss during storage. The research builds on previous work that improved charging protocols