Thermal and Sensitivity Analysis Facility for Next-Generation Defense Materials
Abstract
Proposed is an analysis facility to augment our program on, organic/inorganic hybrid energetic materials with increased energy densi,ty. A major hypothesis of the research in the Zdilla group is that new regimes of energy density may be obtained via the imposition,of what we have termed "redox frustration:" molecules containing unstable oxidized atoms and unstable reduced (fuel) atoms. Our curr,ent trend approach involves the direct linkage of strong oxidizer units (main-group oxyanions) to reactive N-rich fuels using metal,ions. These metal ions could be inert linkers to organic fuels or the metal ions may be the fuels themselves (e.g., Ti2+, which has,similar energetic content to elemental aluminum fuel). Other preliminary results from our group suggest a potentially revolutionary,type of switchable munition: molecular magnetic energetic materials. Preliminary results from ab-initio molecular dynamics suggest t,hat the activation barrier for the decomposition of an energetic molecular magnet can be changed in a magnetic field. Such innovatio,ns can hold promise for munitions with switchable sensitivity. However, a major challenge with our program at Temple is lack of acc,ess to the standard suite thermal and sensitivity testing. Novel energetic materials are screened for potential utility using therma,l analysis, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, explosive compounds und,ergo sensitivity testing using impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge testing. An even more important challenge is that some,of our novel materials are air-sensitive, which precludes these types of testing on a laboratory benchtop. While we acknowledge that, air-sensitive energetic materials are not of immediate interest for practical implementation, our 6.1 program is basic research to,push the boundaries of energy density to the next level, and air-sensitivity in otherwise promising materials can potentially be add,ressed downstream. A further interest of ours is to examine the role of magnetic field in activating magnetic munitions. We have pre,liminary results from theory collaborators suggesting that magnetic energetic materials may be activated by the lowering of an activ,ation barrier in systems undergoing spin-state transitions during reaction. This is, in particular, a potentially revolutionary capa,bility for the development of insensitive materials that may be sensitized by the activation of a magnetic field. However, no such f,acility exists to test such properties and the associated hypotheses. We therefore propose a one-of-a-kind analysis facility for the, testing of the unique energetic materials under development in our lab. Unlike related testing facilities in other government and a,cademic labs, our facility will provide the full suite of thermal and sensitivity testing on air-sensitive materials that-while they, may not be practical for immediate implementation (yet)-can illuminate pathways to new regimesof energy density for next-generation, munitions. Further, ours will be the only facility (to our kno,lecular magnets, which if implementable, could lead to munitions with switchable sensitivity. In addition to existing augmentation o,f the PI s ONR-funded research program, the proposed facility will expand capabilities for a number of other DoD-sponsored(ARL, DTRA,, DoD CDMRP PCRP) and DoD-relevant research projects at Temple university, including compact battery technology, environmental remed,iation, smart materials, and protections for warfighters via improved armor and protection from chemical warfare agents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212266
Entities
People
- Michael J. Zdilla
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Temple University
- United States Navy