Quantum Sensing for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

TLDR

Quantum sensing offers ultrasensitive measurements that could transform energy production, distribution, and consumption by improving material stability, infrastructure monitoring, and measurement accuracy. This review surveys quantum sensing materials, techniques, and platforms relevant to the energy sector, aiming to enhance existing technologies to achieve unprecedented sensitivity. The authors summarize well‑established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, along with the sensing platforms developed for their deployment. The review concludes by highlighting high‑value applications of quantum sensing in energy and outlining remaining barriers to sensor deployment.

Abstract

Abstract On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.