SBIR-STTR Award

The effort proposed by General Sciences, Inc. (GSI) is based on using available nanosize additives which upon reaction within the detonation front will enhance blast and impulse (in the case of the explosive) as well as increase thrust, impetus and projectile-velocity in the case of propellants. Inclusion of other additives to conventional explosives and propellants upon reaction produce finely subdivided particles of metals (perhaps nanosize) as well as metallic vapors such as aluminum which allows for a fast combustion early in the detonation process thus enhancing blast as well as impulse.In the presence of propellants it can increase thrust and impetus. In the case of propellants preliminary GSI results show (20-30%) increase in impetus and measured projectile velocity; in the case of explosives (in arena tests) blasts and impulse enhancement as high as 50% were observed.

The objectives of the proposed effort include propellant enhancement demonstrated by higher thrust, impulse and higher projectile velocity and range as well as HE enhancement resulting into higher lethality based on blast and impulse enhancement. The effort will eventually develop data demonstrating promise and delivery of 1kg material samples for further evaluation by the Army. The proposed efforts are based on concepts utilizing additives which generate hydrogen gas, added energy through enhanced intrinsic reactivity and subsequence combustion. Laboratory, as well as field measurements, are included. The concepts provide a higher probability for energy release in the detonation region and Gurney output enhancement.