Air Force Research Lab’s Innovation Unit SpaceWERX Funds Controversial Vacuum Energy Company Casimir

Casimir Inc. received a Phase I award from the U.S. Air Force Research Lab’s SpaceWERX program to explore the technical viability of its vacuum energy chip, MicroSparc. The award, part of the STTR program, supports proof-of-concept and potential development, with the possibility of future funding. Casimir aims to commercialize MicroSparc by 2028, and the award will allow the team to focus on developing a fully independent solid-state generator. The award is an "Open Topic" award, meaning it will include a critical customer discovery phase. The SpaceWERX site states that STTR Phase I grants typically range from $75K to $180K and last three to 12 months. The award is seen as a signal to the market that the technology is pivotal and up-and-coming.

• Casimir Inc. received a Phase I STTR award from SpaceWERX.
• The award is part of the DAF’s SBIR/STTR program, which funds technologies with commercial and defense applications.
• The award allows Casimir to develop a fully independent solid-state generator for mission-critical environments.
• The award includes a critical customer discovery phase to understand system requirements.
• The award is an "Open Topic" award, allowing for further development and potential future funding.

The technology is based on the Casimir effect, a well-established quantum phenomenon. The Casimir effect has been experimentally verified and is part of established quantum mechanics. The company claims that its device can produce continuous usable electrical power from the quantum vacuum, but this has not been independently demonstrated. The technology involves creating microscopic cavities on a single chip to generate a continuous electrical current from the quantum vacuum. The project is seen as a significant step in developing a quantum energy technology that could support national security missions requiring persistent, reliable power. The company aims to disrupt the ultra-low-power electronics sector by providing innovative capabilities that strengthen national defense. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018, and Casimir will continue its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities in 2026. The company believes that if the technology scales successfully, it could have long-term implications in ultra-low-power sensors, consumer electronics, remote infrastructure, defense systems, and space applications.

AI-generated summary of the original article — see the source for the full story.