SBIR-STTR Award

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.

Benefits:
Green Primers, Low Energy Ignition, Propellant, Explosives, MEMS Devices such as Shock wave Generators, Microthrusters, medical applications, detection of IED, oil exploration

Keywords:
Nanorod, Nanowell, MIC material, Tunable properties, shock wave, self-assembly, scale-up, ESD sensitivity

The primary objective of the Phase II research and development is to scale-up the production of components of nanoengineered thermites (or, nanothermites) in pound quantities in a safe manner. In Phase I, we have achieved the proof-of-concepts for the synthesis of several nanoscale oxides, assembly and physical mixing with the nanofuel, various coating processes and tuning the properties with explosives and chemicals for different applications. Our next goal is to develop various synthesis methods for large scale production of CuO Nanorods and Al nanoparticles as well as develop technology of self-assembled and other processes of mixing these nanocomposites with controlled ESD sensitivity. We will use semi-automated chemical synthesis methods for preparing large quantities of CuO nanorods. We will also develop arc-jet synthesis method to prepare large quantities of aluminum nanoparticles and develop in-situ metal, metal oxide or polymer coating of Al nanomaterials to control ESD sensitivity and stabilize the surface. In addition, polymer coating methods for CuO nanorods, nanoparticles and Al nanoparticles will also be developed. The testing of the novel nanothermites will be carried out in microdevices fabricated in our laboratory by using on-chip and other characterization techniques.

Keywords:
Scale-Up, Nanooxide, Nanofuel, Nanothermite, Chemical Synthesis, Arc-Jet Method, Shockwave, Microdetonation