Synthesis of Nano Composite Super Thermites with Tunable Energy Release

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing novel nanoenergetic composites composed of nanoengineered thermites (mainly, copper oxide, iron oxide and Al-nanoparticles) together with other additives. The synthesis of these composites will be achieved by surfactant templating and self-assembly processes. We propose a process that will result in gram quantities of these quantities in the form of copper oxide nanorods and nanowells in Phase I. We also propose to reduce the ESD sensitivity of Al nanoparticles. Our method will deliver nanoenergetic materials with tunable characteristics such as burn rate velocity, pressure and temperature for various applications. We plan to scale-up kilogram quantities of these composites in Phase II and Phase III with guidance of US Army ARDEC, Picatinny and help from other collaborators. The novel nanoenergetic composites will have promising military applications as green primers, low energy ignition, propellants and explosives as well as many civilian applications as various MEMS devices ( shock wave generators, microthrusters etc.), medical applications and oil exploration.