A method of forming composite materials includes mixing a first metal precursor with a chelating agent to form a first metal-chelate complex. The first metal-chelate complex is added to a polymer binder having terminating hydroxyl groups to form a polymer binder-first metal-chelate. The polymer binder first metal-chelate complex is mixed with an aluminum precursor. The aluminum precursor decomposes forming aluminum nanoparticles dispersed in a continuous phase material having metallic aluminum cores. At least one of the first metal-chelate complex and the first metal is dissolved in the continuous phase. The aluminum nanoparticles can have a passivating coating layer thereon provided by the polymer binder, or can have a passivating coating layer formed by including an epoxide, alcohol, carboxylic acid, or amine in the adding that forms passivating compound(s) which add further protection that can provide complete protection from oxidation of the metallic aluminum cores by air.

A method for improving the characteristics of energetic materials uses amorphous metals as one or more reactant of said materials. Improvements in properties and energy release characteristics for a wide range of energetic materials are obtained thereby, particularly in terms of processability, mechanical properties, and ignition behavior for solid energetic materials.

A spark generating tube includes a single tube and a pyrotechnical mixture. The single tube only has a single layer of plastic material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene. The pyrotechnical mixture has formed a thin layer in contact with the single layer of the single tube. The pyrotechnical contains an oxidizer, a reducing agent, a substance with low temperature of Tammann and an agent for lubricating and adhering, wherein the agent for lubricating and adhering is either talc or graphite, and the reducing agent can be an aluminum powder in microscale. During the process for manufacturing a spark generating tube, the mixture of the oxidizers and additives is formed separately from the reducing agent. The final mixture is obtained only in the single tube formed with an extruder. In this way, only a very small amount of pyrotechnic mixture is formed at any instant.

A battery cell including a battery cell casing having a rupture membrane, an electrode unit disposed in the battery cell casing, and an ignitable material that is disposed in a region of the rupture membrane and is configured to ignite and thereby open the rupture membrane on overheating of the battery cell casing and/or of the battery cell is provided. A battery module including a plurality of battery cells is further provided.

A battery cell including a battery cell casing having a rupture membrane, an electrode unit disposed in the battery cell casing, and an ignitable material that is disposed in a region of the rupture membrane and is configured to ignite and thereby open the rupture membrane on overheating of the battery cell casing and/or of the battery cell is provided. A battery module including a plurality of battery cells is further provided.

Provided are devices for generating a desired gas or mixture of gases by thermally decomposing a gas-generating composition (e.g. a complex ion salt or a metal carbonyl) using the thermal energy generated by reaction of a heat-generating composition (e.g. a thermite mixture), and methods of making and using such devices. The devices of some embodiments include phase-changing separators, i.e. separators that at least partially melt, vaporize, or sublimate as a result of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating composition.

Provided are devices for generating a desired gas or mixture of gases by thermally decomposing a gas-generating composition (e.g. a complex ion salt or a metal carbonyl) using the thermal energy generated by reaction of a heat-generating composition (e.g. a thermite mixture), and methods of making and using such devices. The devices of some embodiments include phase-changing separators, i.e. separators that at least partially melt, vaporize, or sublimate as a result of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating composition.

A propellant applied to a thruster, especially a pulsed plasma thruster, has a composition including a polymer and a metal powder material mixed with the polymer. A method of manufacturing the propellant includes dissolving polymer particles in a solvent for generating a solution, adding a powdered metal material to the solution for obtaining a mixture, and drying the mixture for removing the solvent from the mixture. Accordingly, a dried mixture is acquired and defined as a metal composite polymer which serves as the composition of the propellant. Accordingly, the use of the propellant allows a decrease in the voltage involved in a punching process and an efficient reduction in the energy consumption and assists the thruster in increasing the propulsive efficiency.

A propellant applied to a thruster, especially a pulsed plasma thruster, has a composition including a polymer and a metal powder material mixed with the polymer. A method of manufacturing the propellant includes dissolving polymer particles in a solvent for generating a solution, adding a powdered metal material to the solution for obtaining a mixture, and drying the mixture for removing the solvent from the mixture. Accordingly, a dried mixture is acquired and defined as a metal composite polymer which serves as the composition of the propellant. Accordingly, the use of the propellant allows a decrease in the voltage involved in a punching process and an efficient reduction in the energy consumption and assists the thruster in increasing the propulsive efficiency.

A propellant applied to a thruster, especially a pulsed plasma thruster, has a composition including a polymer and a metal powder material mixed with the polymer. A method of manufacturing the propellant includes dissolving polymer particles in a solvent for generating a solution, adding a powdered metal material to the solution for obtaining a mixture, and drying the mixture for removing the solvent from the mixture. Accordingly, a dried mixture is acquired and defined as a metal composite polymer which serves as the composition of the propellant. Accordingly, the use of the propellant allows a decrease in the voltage involved in a punching process and an efficient reduction in the energy consumption and assists the thruster in increasing the propulsive efficiency.