Specialists from the defense industry, academia, and government have joined forces to develop a next-gen battery that converts nuclear waste into electricity, potentially allowing drones and other defense systems to operate for decades without refueling.
Known as Rads to Watts, the program aims to harness energy from radioisotopes such as Strontium-90 by converting nuclear decay into long-lasting electrical power.
The concept pairs ultra-thin semiconductor layers with radioactive materials that emit charged particles, creating high-density energy capable of powering systems in extreme environments.
Researchers envision the technology supporting long-endurance drones, space-based assets, undersea infrastructure, and other defense platforms that require persistent power.
The program ultimately seeks to produce “radiovoltaic batteries” that can withstand intense radiation while delivering greater power density and durability than existing technologies.
To achieve this, the batteries will rely on recycled nuclear fuel, including Cold War-era radioactive waste, turning legacy material into a long-life energy source.
Multi-Organizational Effort
Morgan State University is leading the Rads to Watts program in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Project Omega.
Northrop will contribute its expertise in microelectronics and radiation effects, leading simulation efforts to evaluate battery performance under harsh operating conditions.
Using AI-driven modeling and advanced computing, the company will rapidly test different materials and device designs before physical prototypes are built.
“Persistent power is a foundational requirement for next-generation defense systems,” said Matt Hicks, Director of Foundries, Test, and Advanced Packaging at Northrop Grumman.
“Our aim is to constantly disrupt our own technology, building on our past to transform for the future.”
Early Design Simulations
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has committed $3.4 million to the Rads to Watts program.
Early modeling results suggest the battery design could exceed the program’s initial performance targets, potentially enabling mission capabilities that were previously impractical, according to the project team.
“Our team is pushing the boundaries of radiovoltaic technology, developing high-power, long-life systems that were not previously achievable,” said Project Technical Lead Professor Michael Spencer.
“By integrating advanced materials, device engineering, and nuclear science, we are laying the foundation for a new generation of persistent power systems for extreme environments.”
