The SPARCS team, consisting of Rui Gonçalves, António Vicente, and Manuel Mendes, secured 1st place in the 2026 Armed Forces Innovation Award. This distinction, awarded by the General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGFA), validates the potential of a technology developed at NOVA FCT.
The competition challenged participants to present innovative solutions to enhance the energy capabilities of the Armed Forces, with applications in military operations and civil emergency support missions, especially in scenarios with high energy dependence, logistical failures, or damage to critical infrastructure.
SPARCS presented an adaptable, plug-and-play photovoltaic technology that impressed the jury, being evaluated as an innovative solution with a transformative impact in the Defense sector. The technology has the potential to strengthen the autonomy, resilience, and sustainability of the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Innovation Award aims to encourage ideas that contribute to creating or improving military capabilities, particularly valuing solutions that increase mobility, force sustainment, and the effectiveness of operational systems.
