NanoTritium Betavolatic Power Systems - TACFI

AFWERX · AFWERX TACFI · AFWERX

AI-Readiness Score

10/25

Pathway Speed

4/5

Timeline Realism

2/5

Problem Framing

3/5

AI / ML Fit

0/5

Award + Transition

1/5

Award

$376,250

Award ceiling

CITY LABS, INC.

Awardee

Posted September 15, 2023

Description

In summary, the effort will improve City Labs’ tritium power source to provide long-term power for small space satellites. The stacking methodology for robust assembly of devices with multiple layers of metal hydride and semiconductor material will be enhanced in this project. The effort will also result in an adequate helium diffusion mechanism in the electronic package which will enable the use of higher amounts of tritium in the power source devices. City Labs is the only licensed manufacturer of betavoltaic power sources which carries a General License allowing distribution to anyone in the United States without requiring the recipient to possess a radiation license. The proposed tritium betavoltaic power source will meet the AF customers’ requirement for an ultra-small, temperature resilient, continuous 5-10 year power capability.

Score Rationale

The TACFI pathway is a legitimate fast-track instrument and scores well, but this solicitation has zero AI/ML content — it is a materials science and nuclear engineering effort focused on betavoltaic power sources, stacking methodology, and helium diffusion; 'AI' does not appear anywhere in the problem. The award ceiling of $376K is well below the $1M threshold and no explicit production transition pathway is named, and the unknown response deadline prevents any timeline assessment, earning conservative scores on both those dimensions.

Source

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