A Novel Non-Lethal Effects Device

The topic presented in this proposal has direct application to the development of non-lethal devices capable of temporarily incapacitating personnel, controlling crowds, immobilizing small vehicles, and other applications where a controlled amount of acoustic c energy needs to be delivered a a distance. The proposed effort would determine the characteristic acoustic waveforms and amplitudes generated by a pulsed combustion acoustic wave generator (PCAWG) and the near-field wave propagation characteristics. Waveform and amplitude tailoring for optimum affect will be investigated by the variation of combustion processes (deflagrative vs detonative), fuel types (hydrogen, hydrocarbon, etc), stoichiometry, and pulse frequency. The key technical problems to be addressed by this proposal are the absence of information regarding the acoustic wave generation characteristics of pulsed combustors, the ability to direct acoustic energy, and wave propagation and attenuation upon exiting the combustor. The proposal would also investigate systems integration and implementation issues associated with a PCAWG.