There is disclosed a rechargeable battery comprising a solid state material (1) having formed therein a plurality of elongate holes with elongate conductors (2) located within the holes, a first pair of electrodes (3) formed or located on generally oppposed sides of the solid state material (1) in a first spatial orientation and a second pair of electrodes (4) formed or located on generally opposed sides of the solid state material (1) in a second spatial orientation different from the first, such that when a DC voltage is applied across the first pair of electrodes (3), an electric field is formed and induces electrostatic charges in the elongate conductors (2), thereby generating a voltage across the second pair of electrodes (4).