DARPA Seeks Transient Electronics That Dissolve After Being Used

Posted on January 28, 2013

DARPA wants transient electronics that can dissolve after being used. DARPA says it is almost impossible to track and recover every device used on the battlefield. Any electronics not used could be recovered by the enemy and studied. DARPA has announced the Vanishing Programmable Resources (VAPR) program. DARPA says the goal of VAPR is the creation of electronics that degrade after use:

"Transient electronics developed under VAPR should maintain the current functionality and ruggedness of conventional electronics, but, when triggered, be able to degrade partially or completely into their surroundings. Once triggered to dissolve, these electronics would be useless to any enemy who might come across them."

Alicia Jackson, DARPA program manager, said in a statement, "The commercial off-the-shelf, or COTS, electronics made for everyday purchases are durable and last nearly forever. DARPA is looking for a way to make electronics that last precisely as long as they are needed. The breakdown of such devices could be triggered by a signal sent from command or any number of possible environmental conditions, such as temperature."

DARPA will hold a VAPR Proposers' Day to explain the VAPR goals and objectives.

DARPA