Improved Iodine storage, shipping, handling and operations for COIL Lasers

This SBIR could provide the next generation safe and on-demand delivery of vapor-phase iodine for a Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL). Iodine is caustic, corrosive, toxic, it is an oxidizing agent, it can pick-up water and it can have trace contaminants. Our new delivery technology is designed to minimize these iodine problems. Apparently, the future vapor-phase iodine delivery subsystem for the COIL needs to be improved over the present process, which utilizes complex direct vaporization of solid iodine with a multiple step process. With our prior experiences in working with iodine, this project may be a piece of cake for us. During Phase I we expect to demonstrate a new concept and its feasibility for the safe handling, purification, shipping, safe storage, and delivery of vapor-phase iodine on-demand for the COIL using a proprietary new process. During Phase I a one-tenth scale unit will be planned for its building and testing in Phase II. We expect to provide the client the needed operational improvements for iodine delivery in Phase II. Phase I results are required before proceeding to build and test the prototype in Phase II. Phase I results could open the door for other military and civilian applications for safe storage and delivery of other hazardous chemicals.