  The extreme physical conditions of Gamma Ray Bursts can constitute a useful
observational laboratory to test theories of gravity where very high curvature
regimes are involved. Here we propose a sort of curvature engine capable, in
principle, of explaining the huge energy emission of Gamma Ray Bursts.
Specifically, we investigate the emission of radiation by charged particles
non-minimally coupled to the gravitational background where higher order
curvature invariants are present. The coupling gives rise to an additional
force inducing a non-geodesics motion of particles. This fact allows a strong
emission of radiation by gravitationally accelerated particles. As we will show
with some specific model, the energy emission is of the same order of magnitude
of that characterizing the Gamma Ray Burst physics. Alternatively, strong
curvature regimes can be considered as a natural mechanism for the generation
of highly energetic astrophysical events. Possible applications to cosmology
are discussed.
