Opportunities / DEPT OF DEFENSE
Solid-State Energy Conversion from Heat to Electricity Request for Information (RFI)
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
|---|---|
| Solicitation # | DARPA-SS-27-01 |
| Department | DEPT OF DEFENSE |
| Sub-tier / office | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY |
| NAICS | 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) |
| PSC | AC11 |
| Set-aside | None |
| Posted | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 23, 2026 (2026-11-23T16:00:00) |
| Place of performance | — |
| Primary contact | BAA Coordinator · DARPA-SS-27-01@darpa.mil |
Description (excerpt)
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is requesting information on the current state of the art and technological limitations of solid-state direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion technologies. We define solid state energy conversion as systems that convert a temperature differential directly into electrical energy without utilizing mechanical moving parts (e.g., pistons, turbines, or rotary alternators). This RFI seeks to identify the best possible solid state heat engine performance across a wide operating temperature range, factors that limit performance, and the most attractive use cases if these highly efficient solid state heat engines could be made today. This survey of limits, challenges and use cases will identify opportunities for research and development to inform potential program(s) in this area.