An initiator assembly having a base, first and second conductive elements, a first electrically insulating member and an energetic material. The first conductive element, which is configured to receive an electrical input, is coupled to the base and includes a tip. The first electrically insulating member is disposed over the tip. The second conductive element has a bridge that is disposed over the first electrically insulating member. The bridge is configured to vaporize in response to transmission of the electrical input from the tip of the first conductive element to the bridge. The energetic material is disposed over the bridge. Energy produced during vaporization of the bridge is transmitted to the energetic material to initiate at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event in the energetic material. A method for operating an initiator assembly is also provided.

A metal fixing material leadthrough for igniters of airbags and/or belt tighteners includes at least one metal pin fused into a glass or glass-ceramic fixing material in a through-opening of a main body. The metal is present in a post-heated state, with an interface between the fixing material and the metal pin and an additional interface between the fixing material and an inner surface of the through-opening. The at least one metal pin, at least in its core region, consists of stainless steel, such as a chromium-containing stainless steel, the stainless steel having a thermal expansion coefficient.

A metal fixing material leadthrough for igniters of airbags and/or belt tighteners includes at least one metal pin fused into a glass or glass-ceramic fixing material in a through-opening of a main body. The metal is present in a post-heated state, with an interface between the fixing material and the metal pin and an additional interface between the fixing material and an inner surface of the through-opening. The at least one metal pin, at least in its core region, consists of stainless steel, such as a chromium-containing stainless steel, the stainless steel having a thermal expansion coefficient.

A metal fixing material leadthrough for an igniter of airbags and/or belt tensioners includes a main body having a through-opening formed therein and at least one metal pin fused into a glass or glass-ceramic fixing material in the through-opening and having a core region. The at least one metal pin, at least in its core region, consists of ferritic stainless steel made to the EN 10020 standard. The ferritic stainless steel is selected in such a way that, when converted to a standard dimensioning of a metal pin diameter of 1.000.03 mm and a metal pin length of 11.680.02 mm, the at least one metal pin has a maximum elastic deflection W.sub.max of less than 0.24 mm.

A metal fixing material leadthrough for an igniter of airbags and/or belt tensioners includes a main body having a through-opening formed therein and at least one metal pin fused into a glass or glass-ceramic fixing material in the through-opening and having a core region. The at least one metal pin, at least in its core region, consists of ferritic stainless steel made to the EN 10020 standard. The ferritic stainless steel is selected in such a way that, when converted to a standard dimensioning of a metal pin diameter of 1.000.03 mm and a metal pin length of 11.680.02 mm, the at least one metal pin has a maximum elastic deflection W.sub.max of less than 0.24 mm.

A system for a molded power charge with secondary pellet at each end. The molded power charge includes a solid outer wall which extends for the length. The solid outer wall has a first end and a second end. The power charge further includes a secondary pellet at each end. The first end and the second end of the outer wall include a secondary pellet with an exposed face. This allows the power charge to be ignited from either end.

An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

A portable decontamination chamber including an outer container defining a first internal volume; an interior receptacle positioned within the first internal volume and defining a second internal volume that is configured to receive an item to be decontaminated; an insulating liner configured to be positioned within the first internal volume between an interior surface of the outer container and an exterior surface of the interior receptacle; a thermite compact configured to be positioned within the first internal volume and in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surface of the interior receptacle; and an initiator configured to ignite the thermite compact to induce a biological decontamination temperature within the second internal volume in order to thoroughly and rapidly decontaminate material tainted with unwanted biological matter in a readily deployable package without the generation of additional gaseous products that increase the pressure within the decontamination chamber.