Efficient methods for aerosolizing the packet powder

Obscurant devices play a crucial role in protecting the Warfighter, weapons and vehicles. CFDRC proposes to develop and demonstrate novel and efficient methods for aerosolizing packet powder in obscurant devices, thereby significantly improving their dissemination efficiency. Our partnerships with Capco Inc. and Nanocomposix Inc. insure the final Phase I and Phase II devices leverage prior art while being readily fieldable upon conclusion of Phase II. The new and improved designs will be guided by numerical modeling and simulation using physics based models, while also taking into account several physical and ambient weather effects to quantify anisotropic particle separation performance during the obscurant dissemination process. Our high fidelity numerical models will be validated with existing experimental data. Phase I efforts include modeling and demonstration of several concepts that improve separation of anisotropic particles and ensuing dissemination. Experimental verification of two or more novel concepts will be performed. Analytical and experimental estimation of the separation efficiency will be completed. During Phase II the physical effects governing particle separation when disseminated will be further characterized and enhanced with subsequent technology optimization. Several full scale devices will be fabricated to demonstrate maximized particle separation and dissemination relative to existing grenade performance. At least three configurations will be provided to ECBC for independent test, evaluation and measurement of separation efficiency. In partnership with Capco Inc. and Nanocomposix Inc. definition and assembly of a manufacturing process to commercialize the most promising grenade concepts will be completed during Phase III.