DARPA program aims to convert Cold War nuclear waste into long-duration power

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DARPA program aims to convert Cold War nuclear waste into long-duration power

https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-06-23-darpa-program-convert-nuclear-waste-long-duration-power.html

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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched the Symphonee program to convert radioactive decay from Cold War-era nuclear waste into electricity. The initiative utilizes solid-state betavoltaic cells to harness energy from isotopes like strontium-90 and cesium-137. This technology aims to provide long-duration, off-grid power for remote military and space systems.

This program shifts the management of high-level radioactive waste from permanent storage toward potential energy recovery. By extracting power from legacy isotopes, the agency seeks to reduce the volume of hazardous materials requiring long-term disposal. Industry observers note that while the approach offers a novel use for waste, engineers must still overcome challenges regarding radiation damage to cells and low power density.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officially announced on June 16, 2026, a new program called Symphonee that seeks to convert radioactive decay from Cold War-era nuclear waste into electricity for up to a decade or more without refueling, according to a DARPA press release. Officials said the goal is to produce high-density...

The program represents a shift from treating nuclear waste solely as a long-term liability to viewing it as a potential energy asset. DARPA program managers stated that the initiative could reduce the volume of waste requiring permanent storage while providing off-grid power for sensors, communications, and space systems.

The Symphonee program focuses on converting the energy released by radioactive isotopes into electricity using solid-state betavoltaic cells, according to DARPA's technical description. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, the process does not involve fission and produces no greenhouse gases, the agency said. The isotopes under consideration include strontium-90 and cesium-137 -- both byproducts of Cold War weapons production stored at U.S. Department of Energy facilities.

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https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-06-23-darpa-program-convert-nuclear-waste-long-duration-power.html