Avalanche Energy Lands Share of $5.2M DoD Award to Develop Long-Lasting ‘Nuclear Batteries’

Avalanche Energy Lands Share of $5.2M DoD Award to Develop Long-Lasting ‘Nuclear Batteries’ Main Photo

8 Apr 2026


News

GEEKWIRE - Seattle fusion startup Avalanche Energy was awarded a share of a $5.2 million contract announced Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop compact nuclear batteries.

The award comes from the DARPA Rads to Watts program, which is focused on building long-lasting batteries for defense and space applications where chemical batteries, solar power and refueling are not possible.

Avalanche is focused on engineering micro-fabricated energy cells that turn alpha particles emitted by radioactive material into electricity. The process, the team said, is analogous to solar cells converting photons into electricity.



Note:  Avalanche Energy is headquartered in Tukwila.

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