Diagnostic System for Decomposition Studies of Energetic Materials
Abstract
The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) is designed to improve the capabilities of U.S. Universities to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in selected technical areas of importance to national defense. DURIP funding provides for the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation for this purpose. This project involves the purchase and installation of a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The P.I., Professor Stefan Thynell, of the Pennsylvania State University will use the equipment to augment and enhance research capabilities in the area of condensed phase reactions of energetic materials. The spectrometer will be capable of acquiring 20 spectra per second at a 2 cm-1 spectral resolution. With the use of an MCT detector and KBr beam splitter, the spectral coverage will range from 3,750 to 600 cm-1, which is the important region for detecting vibrational-rotational frequencies of most molecules. It will be used in two existing projects. In the first ARO-sponsored project, it will be used to identify species from rapid thermolysis of RDX and mixtures of RDX with a high-nitrogen compound. Having knowledge of the species evolution as a function of time will be very useful in validation a liquid-phase decomposition model of RDX. In the second project funded by AFOSR, the diagnostic system will be used to identify species evolution of energetic materials containing nanoparticles. Such measurements will provide useful information for the identification and validation of proposed reaction channels affected (enhanced) by the presence of nanoparticles. This diagnostic system is readily interfaced with existing pieces of equipment in these two previously mentioned projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1610393
Entities
People
- Stefan Thynell
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Pennsylvania State University
- United States Army