MILITARY RESEARCHERS EXPLORE CONVERSION OF NUCLEAR RADIATION INTO HIGH-POWER ELECTRICITY FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES
May 28, 2025 – The U.S. military is gearing up to engage industry in a new initiative aimed at directly transforming nuclear radiation into electricity. This innovative approach, named Rads to Watts, seeks to provide reliable, long-term power for military applications where traditional refueling and maintenance may not be feasible.
Officials from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Virginia, recently announced the launch of the Rads to Watts program, which will investigate novel methods for converting nuclear radiation energy straight into electrical power, eliminating the need for intermediary conversions.
This project will focus on radiation voltaics, or radiovoltaics, which harness energy from ionizing radiation to generate electricity through semiconductor materials. When radiation interacts with these materials, it excites electrons, generating electron-hole pairs that result in an electric current.
FROM RADIATION TO KILOWATTS
The Rads to Watts initiative specifically aims to convert robust nuclear radiation into kilowatts of electrical power, which could serve as long-lasting energy sources for military operations in demanding, remote environments. However, exposure to high levels of radiation can lead to performance degradation and reduced lifespan of current radiovoltaic systems due to radiation-induced defects.
In response, the Rads to Watts project is encouraging contractors to advance beyond common low-power radiovoltaic designs and materials that lack the capacity to endure long-term high-power radiation exposure.
This announcement is currently intended for planning purposes only, and does not yet constitute a formal request for proposals. Interested parties can direct their inquiries to Tabitha Dodson, the program manager for Rads to Watts at DARPA, via email.
For further details, visit: SAM.gov Opportunity.
About the Author
John Keller | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
John Keller serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine, offering comprehensive insights into electronics and optoelectronic technologies across military, space, and commercial sectors. With a career spanning more than three decades in the field, John has contributed significantly since 1989, taking on the role of chief editor in 1995.
