Advanced High Energy Density Propellants

Under this Phase II SBIR program NextGen Aeronautics, Inc. in collaboration with Purdue University is proposing to develop and test nanoparticle enhanced high energy density propellants for guns. Our approach consists of a combination of experimental investigations and computational modeling/simulations. In Phase I of the proposed research, we have articulated manufacturing steps for mixing nanoparticles in propellant simulants using acoustic mixing based on a framework for understanding the physical processes of nanoparticle dispersion and have characterized the resulting mixes for rheology and microstructure. In Phase II we will apply methods developed in Phase I to study dispersion of nanoparticles in live propellant formulations. We will also demonstrate how synergetic enhancement of energy content and oxygen balance via nanotechnology and novel formulations promises to greatly advance the state of the art in gun propellant performance. After we select the most promising formulations, small-scale sensitivity and performance tests will be conducted and larger-scale samples will be delivered to the army for additional testing. This technology can be applied to several military and commercial applications including advanced gun systems and advanced processing techniques for the airbag gas generators.