EMBRS: Energetic Material Battery and Reserve Power Systems

The proposed effort seeks to develop Energetic Material Battery and Reserve Power Systems (EMBRS) for munition power sources and related systems that are based upon metal-based energetic composite powders, which consist of two metals that are mechanically mixed at the nanoscale and are capable of self-propagating reaction while contained within a compartmentalized metallic shell. The effort will specifically encompass the development of: (1) a proof-of-concept heater design based upon composite energetic material powders contained within a metal shell; (2) theoretical performance calculations for the nickel and aluminum gasless energetic material system at various mixing ratios; (3) a material preparation procedure based upon the use ball milling, which can be used to realize nanoscale characteristic dimensions in the material systems of interest; and (4) a technical demonstration of a small, subscale heater with multiple ignition points capable of adaptive thermal control. To achieve these research objectives, Next Offset Solutions, Inc. personnel will beneficially leverage their extensive experience related to energetic materials formulation and characterization, as well the unique facilities of the subcontractor, Purdue University.