A handheld tool configured to procure fuel is described. Embodiments of the fuel procurement tool include a handhold having a cutting mechanism located proximate one end of the handhold. Typically, the cutting mechanism can include at least one cutter link having a depth gauge, a top plate, and a gullet formed between the depth gauge and the top plate. The fuel procurement tool can be implemented to procure kindling from a piece of wood.

A high energy explosive having reduced shock sensitivity for tactical weapon platforms to increase the safety margins to the warfighter if the weapon became involved in an unplanned event on the battlefield. The high energy explosive having a reduced crystalline particle size below about 30 microns, preferably 10 microns, and coated with a thermoplastic elastomer, which is capable of being compressed into a warhead configuration and attached to a weapon. The high energy explosive having a greater than 25% reduction in shock sensitivity compared to the same crystalline energetic material without undergoing size reduction prior to being coated.

The present invention generally concerns decomposing a ternary metal hydride to isolate nanoparticles to use in a fuel grain. More specifically, the present invention harnesses increased energy densities from two distinct nanoparticles isolated by a precise decomposition of LiAlH.sub.4. The singular material is air stable and is a nanocomposite of Li.sub.3AlH.sub.6 nanoparticles, elemental Al nanoparticles, an amount of Ti metal, and a nanoscale organic layer. We call this nanocomposite nMx, which protects and preserves the high energy densities of the core metals isolated from the controlled reaction, making the nanoparticles safe to handle in air. The narrow distribution of nanoparticles has no byproducts or phase transitions that decrease energy output. The unique burning characteristics of nMx enhance the combustion of solid propellant formulations compatible with solid or hybrid rocket motors, where fuel grains are cast, pressed, or 3D printed with nMx powder, a polymeric binder, or optional additives.

A concealed amalgamated neutralizer covertly combines neutralizer material comprised of various combinations of inert materials such as calcium carbonate or silicates with common explosive material for the prevention of malicious use of the explosive material in improvised explosive devices. The concealed amalgamated neutralizer device may vary in shape, size, and color and is therefore adaptable to varying methods of containment typified by common pyrotechnic products. The neutralizer material mimics the explosive material of the pyrotechnic products without detection. Upon disassembly of a concealed amalgamated neutralizer device, the neutralizer material is mixed with and neutralizes the explosive material rendering the explosive material useless as a component for an improvised explosive device. A biodegradable container is also provided for the amalgamated neutralizer and the explosive material.

Employing non-energetic MCPs as hosts (fuel) for the adsorption of oxidant molecules enables the intimate and molecular scale mixing of fuel and oxidizer on a level that is not commonly achievable in traditional energetic mixtures. The adsorption of the oxidants into MOF-5 resulted in increased heat released upon decomposition, which shows potential for utilization of this method as a platform to develop high-performance primary energetic materials.

The invention is directed to a co-layered propellant grain having an exposed outer surface, wherein said propellant grain comprises an outer layer comprising a slow burning propellant composition located on essentially the entire outer surface of the grain, and an inner layer comprising a fast burning propellant composition having a higher linear burn rate than said slow burning propellant composition; wherein said propellant grain has a structure such that after ignition, the inner layer becomes increasingly exposed at the outer surface.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to the field of coatings on high-energy materials, devices or products that comprise the coated high-energy materials, functional coating materials and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to energetic materials having initiated release coatings to improve the performance and shelf-life of the devices, products and/or raw materials, suitable for use as energetics or propellants for munitions, rockets, pyrotechnics, flares or other devices or components.

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.