Nuclear batteries could speed fusion power race

Avalanche Energy has secured a $5.2 million contract from DARPA to develop advanced radiovoltaics, a technology that converts radiation into electricity using semiconductors. This breakthrough could significantly accelerate the development of fusion power by enabling more efficient energy capture from fusion reactions. The company aims to create materials robust enough to withstand and harness the high-energy alpha particles produced during fusion, thereby increasing power output and potentially making commercial fusion power more attainable. This technology also has applications in creating long-lasting nuclear batteries for spacecraft and autonomous military systems.