The present invention relates to systems and methods for modifying or amplifying explosive devices through electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Exemplary embodiments provide increased energy density to an explosive reaction zone to allow increased blast overpressures, detonation velocity, and energy release without changing the explosive materials or quantity of explosives. An exemplary embodiment irradiates a reaction zone immediately before an explosive detonates to modify the explosive properties of an explosive device. Exemplary embodiments utilize automated targeting of EMR sources for precise modification of explosions with standardized and predictable effects.

A method includes providing a plurality of particles of an energetic material suspended in a dispersion liquid to an EPD chamber or configuration; applying a voltage difference across a first pair of electrodes to generate a first electric field in the EPD chamber; and depositing at least some of the particles of the energetic material on at least one surface of a substrate, the substrate being one of the electrodes or being coupled to one of the electrodes.

A process for converting a crystalline energetic material to an amorphous energetic material that is less susceptible to accidental detonation initiation by mechanical insults. The process includes forming the amorphous energetic material as a deposition of a vapor of the crystalline energetic material sublimed from a hot surface in a vacuum. The deposition is onto a cryogenically cold surface of a dry ice layer. The deposition solidifies as a layer of amorphous energetic material. Subliming the dry ice layer therein breaking the layer of amorphous energetic material into a powder of the amorphous energetic material; and collecting the powder.

The present technology is directed to igniter pellets for use with an expendable countermeasure flare assembly with an igniter assembly with a pellet receptacle. An igniter pellet of one or more embodiments has a moisture insensitive first layer formed by a first composition comprising a mixture of a fuel material that includes Boron, an oxidizer material that includes Bismuth Oxide and/or Potassium Perchlorate, and a granular matrix binder holding the fuel material and the oxidizer material together. A second layer is formed by a second composition that has a fuel material that includes Magnesium, an oxidizer that includes Polytetrafluoroethylene, and a binder material that includes a fluoropolymer elastomer. The second layer is contained in the pellet receptacle and covered by the first layer, so that the second layer is isolated and protected from ambient moisture by the moisture insensitive first layer.

A number of devices and methods for biopassivating explosive ordnance are disclosed. In some embodiments, a biopassivation reactor device is used to render energetic material in an explosive ordnance less explosive and/or non-explosive. This can be done by coupling the biopassivation reactor device to the fuse opening of the explosive ordnance. This can also be done by incorporating the biopassivation reactor device into the explosive ordnance at the time of manufacture. The biopassivation reactor device can include a housing enclosing microorganisms, water, additives, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an entire ordnance magazine can be operated as a bioreactor to passivate the explosive ordnance inside.

Explosive compositions for use in high temperature, reactive ground, or both, are disclosed. The explosive compositions can include an emulsion with a continuous organic fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidizer phase. The oxidizer phase can include one or more Group I or Group II nitrates.

An energetic nanocomposite includes fuel nanoparticles and oxidizer nanoparticles covalently bonded to negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets. A preferred example includes Al fuel nanoparticles and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles. A preferred method of formation mixes a solution of positively charged fuel nanoparticles, positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles, and negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets having functional groups to bond with the positively charged fuel nanoparticles and positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles. Self-assembly of the energetic nanocomposite is permitted over a predetermined time via the attraction and aggregation of the positively charged fuel nanoparticles positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles and negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets. Additional methods and nanocomposites include unfunctionalized graphene sheets, which can be commercial grade sheets.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a simulant and method relating to producing a simulant. For example, a simulant of a textured target threat includes a background material associated with a background attenuation, and a texture component(s) dispersed in the background material and associated with a component attenuation and a component characteristic. The component characteristic prevents the component attenuation of the texture component from being homogeneously dispersed throughout the background attenuation of the background material, to cause the simulant to mimic an aspect(s) of an X-ray signature of the textured target threat.

The present invention relates to a manufactured graphene/metal or metalloid core-shell composite and manufacturing method thereof. The method comprising: using a modified graphene oxide as a base, then performing concentration and steam drying followed by organic solvent replacement to obtain a modified graphene oxide organic solvent; using a liquid-phase self-assembly method to coat the modified graphene oxide onto a surface of the metal or metalloid to form a graphene/metal or metalloid coated particle solution, then filtering and drying to obtain the graphene metal/metalloid core-shell composite. The method improves upon a conventional organic and inorganic material coating technique, and reduces an impact of a water-based solvent and high temperature on a highly reactive metal and metalloid, thereby expanding the feasibility of the coating technique and addressing a barrier of applicability of graphene and reactive metal or metalloid in the field of energetic materials.

A combustible solid propellant composition is disclosed that includes an oxidizer of the reaction product under vacuum of potassium periodate and isocyanate, a polymer binder, a plasticizer, and a fuel.