Program Overview
Rads to Watts is a DARPA program dedicated to pioneering innovative methods for directly converting nuclear radiation into electricity, with a primary emphasis on radiation voltaics (also known as radiovoltaics).
The program’s long-term goal is to develop radiovoltaic systems capable of transforming high-power nuclear radiation into kilowatts of electrical energy. Achieving operation at higher radiation fluences will make it possible to power systems in remote or austere environments where conventional power supplies or resupply logistics are unavailable.
A major challenge in current radiovoltaic technologies is the degradation of performance and lifespan due to radiation-induced defects at both the material and device levels when exposed to intense radiation sources.
To overcome these limitations, Rads to Watts urges researchers to push beyond conventional low-power architectures and semiconductors with limited radiation tolerance, aiming instead for durable, high-power radiovoltaic solutions that can sustain long-term operation in extreme environments.
Proposers Day
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Defense Sciences Office (DSO), will host a Proposers Day on June 20, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET in Arlington, Virginia, to share details about the objectives of a forthcoming solicitation for the Rads to Watts program. Advance registration is required for those planning to attend the event in person.
The Proposers Day is designed to introduce the Rads to Watts program’s vision and technical goals to members of the research community, including representatives from industry, academia, and government. In addition to outlining the scientific objectives, DARPA will also explain the mechanics of its program structure and the key milestones associated with this specific effort. The event will serve as a platform to encourage collaboration and promote teaming among organizations that possess the necessary expertise, facilities, and capabilities to conduct research and development in alignment with the program’s goals.
DARPA anticipates releasing the Rads to Watts solicitation in June 2025. Once issued, the official opportunity will be posted on SAM.gov.
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