Ferromagnetic Polymers for Industively Coupled Fuzes

Inductive couplers are foreseen as an implement to modular design of advanced fuzes. Ferrite pot cores have been used for increased coupling efficiency, but are undesirable for use in hard target penetrator weapons due to their brittleness. Recently, magnetic ordering phenomena have been observed in a number of organic systems. These ferromagnetic polymers would seem to be an ideal choice as a binder for ferrite powders; however, these materials have yet to reach their full potential as magnetic systems due to the fact that the science of synthesis and post-processing of these materials is still in its infancy. Most of the ferromagnetic polymers discovered thus far exhibit magnetic interactions along the polymer backbone only; however, three-dimensional order is necessary to obtain the bulk magnetic properties desired. The Foster-Miller approach will develop novel orientation techniques which will result in permanent three-dimensional alignment of magnetic domains in ferromagnetic polymers. By controlling the morphology and chemistry of the most advanced ferromagnetic polymers, Foster-Miller will achieve an order of magnitude improvement in magnetic properties. In Phase I, Foster-Miller will work with California Institute of Technology (Prof. Dougherty - inventor of organic ferromagnets), and DuPont (Joel Miller - inventor of room temperature organometallic magnetic materials) to impart morphology control to most advanced ferromagnetic polymers to achieve lOX improvement in magnetic properties. In Phase II, we will team with KDI (a fuze manufacturer) to demonstrate a mechanically robust fuze with excellent magnetic properties.