A technique facilitates a welding operation in a variety of difficult environments, including downhole environments, to enable formation of a dependable connection between components. A tool may be constructed to contain a material mixture used in the welding operation. The tool is conveyed to a position adjacent a weld region of components to be welded together. The material mixture is of a type which may be ignited to initiate a reaction which forms a molten metal from at least one constituent in the material mixture. Additionally, the tool comprises a nozzle oriented to direct the molten metal to the weld region so as to form a secure, welded connection between the components.

The combustion system includes a metal additive and a polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The metal additive is solvated in the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent may include liquid ammonia, methylamine, and/or hexamethylphosphoramide. The metal additive may include an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal. For instance, the metal additive may include lithium, sodium, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, yttrium, hafnium, and/or magnesium.

The combustion system includes a metal additive and a polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The metal additive is solvated in the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent may include liquid ammonia, methylamine, and/or hexamethylphosphoramide. The metal additive may include an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal. For instance, the metal additive may include lithium, sodium, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, yttrium, hafnium, and/or magnesium.

Provided are systems, devices, and methods for a smart thermal control. The thermal control system may include an energy source, a first deposit of energetic particles having an inherent Curie temperature, and at least one heat receiving object. Upon application of energy from the energy source to the first deposit of energetic particles the energetic particles are heated and can transfer heat to the at least one heat receiving object. The temperature of the first deposit can be controlled by the application of energy to be heated to various specific temperatures up to the Curie temperature. Applications including de-icing, ice prevention, cooking, medical devices, ignition systems and autonomous vehicles, as well as applications in space, are discussed.

Provided are systems, devices, and methods for a smart thermal control. The thermal control system may include an energy source, a first deposit of energetic particles having an inherent Curie temperature, and at least one heat receiving object. Upon application of energy from the energy source to the first deposit of energetic particles the energetic particles are heated and can transfer heat to the at least one heat receiving object. The temperature of the first deposit can be controlled by the application of energy to be heated to various specific temperatures up to the Curie temperature. Applications including de-icing, ice prevention, cooking, medical devices, ignition systems and autonomous vehicles, as well as applications in space, are discussed.

Provided are systems and methods for propulsion and powering systems using recyclable metallic fuels. The method includes capturing fuel products, including a metal oxide and unburnt fuel from combustion of a metallic fuel, storing the unburnt metallic fuel and the fuel products to generate power and/or thrust, and recycling the metal oxide to recreate the metallic fuel and/or byproducts. A system for propulsion and power generation using a metallic fuel includes a combustion chamber for combusting the metallic fuel to provide propulsion, a reaction chamber for generating electricity and thermal power using heat from unburnt metallic fuel and fuel products, a storage system for capturing the unburnt metallic fuel and the fuel products and at least one recycling system for directing the captured unburnt metallic fuel and/or the fuel products to the combustion chamber and/or the reaction chamber.

Provided are systems and methods for propulsion and powering systems using recyclable metallic fuels. The method includes capturing fuel products, including a metal oxide and unburnt fuel from combustion of a metallic fuel, storing the unburnt metallic fuel and the fuel products to generate power and/or thrust, and recycling the metal oxide to recreate the metallic fuel and/or byproducts. A system for propulsion and power generation using a metallic fuel includes a combustion chamber for combusting the metallic fuel to provide propulsion, a reaction chamber for generating electricity and thermal power using heat from unburnt metallic fuel and fuel products, a storage system for capturing the unburnt metallic fuel and the fuel products and at least one recycling system for directing the captured unburnt metallic fuel and/or the fuel products to the combustion chamber and/or the reaction chamber.

A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element. A means of transportation having an accumulation of ice comprises a structural element, and nano-energetic actuators, each configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element great enough to generate cracks in the ice.

A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element. A means of transportation having an accumulation of ice comprises a structural element, and nano-energetic actuators, each configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element great enough to generate cracks in the ice.

Disclosed are a nanoenergetic material composite-based solid propellant, a method of preparing the same, and a projectile using the same. The propellant includes: potassium nitrate-sucrose (KNSU) composite powder; and nanoenergetic material (nEM) composite powder in a solid powder form mixed with the KNSU composite powder to prepare a KNSU/nEM propellant. The method includes: preparing KNSU composite powder; preparing nEM composite powder; and preparing a KNSU/nEM propellant by mixing the KNSU composite powder and the nEM composite powder in a solid powder form. The projectile includes: a clay block; a clay nozzle responsible for releasing the pressure generated by explosion of a propellant; and a propellant lamination area disposed between the clay block and the clay nozzle. Upon ignition of the KNSU/nEM propellant, the nEM composite powder increases the combustion rate and combustion temperature of a potassium nitrate-sucrose (KNSU) propellant.