Coated Aluminum Nanoparticles for Advanced Propulsion Applications

"This program will lead to advanced high energy density composite metallized propellants that will ignite faster, burn more completely, more rapidly, and with less agglomeration than presently used fuels and thus, greatly improve rocket motor performance.Powder will be produced through a novel combustion process that couples industry-standard chemistry with a proven industrial powder production system. This process yields metal nanoparticles that are coated with sodium chloride, which serves as aprotective barrier for safe handling and storage in air. Prior to implementation into propellant formulations, these powders will be processed to remove the sodium chloride and apply a protective coating that constitutes only a minor fraction of the totalmass, thus maximizing performance of the particles. To-date, exploitation of nanomaterials in propulsion applications has been hindered by the high cost and highly reactive nature of nanopowders. During Phase I, to demonstrate feasibility, aluminumnanoparticles will be produced, processed, and tested in laboratory combustion tests. In addition to demonstrating the improved performance of propellant materials, the program will enable production of a broad range of technologically important materialsbecause the production and processing technologies are generic and will thus enhance the leadership role of the U.S. in advanced materials. This program will produce a new class of advanced prop