The present invention provides a particle and a composition for e.g., hypergolic ignition of rocket propellant. The disclosed particle and the composition comprise an energetic fuel additive and an ignition agent wherein the ignition agent is deposited on a surface of the particle.

The present invention provides a particle and a composition for e.g., hypergolic ignition of rocket propellant. The disclosed particle and the composition comprise an energetic fuel additive and an ignition agent wherein the ignition agent is deposited on a surface of the particle.

An improved ignition and/or booster composition contains a boron-containing constituent such as boron carbide or a metal boride, and, an oxidizer such as potassium perchlorate. A gas generator and a vehicle occupant protection system containing the composition are also included.

Disclosed are hypergolic salts with borane cluster anions that ignite spontaneously upon contact with nitric acid (from 70% to 100% in water) with short ignition delay. The salts, when added as trigger additive to combustible solvent or ionic liquids, make the resulting formulation hypergolic. The salts with borane cluster anions also shorten ignition delay in hypergols, such as RP-1, and additionally allow nitric acid to be used to replace liquid oxygen as an oxidizer. In some examples, the borane salts are formed in situ in an ionic liquid.

Disclosed are hypergolic salts with borane cluster anions that ignite spontaneously upon contact with nitric acid (from 70% to 100% in water) with short ignition delay. The salts, when added as trigger additive to combustible solvent or ionic liquids, make the resulting formulation hypergolic. The salts with borane cluster anions also shorten ignition delay in hypergols, such as RP-1, and additionally allow nitric acid to be used to replace liquid oxygen as an oxidizer. In some examples, the borane salts are formed in situ in an ionic liquid.

A means for energy storage includes: a Li-B alloy, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A means for energy release includes: a LiB alloy adapted to react with oxygen at ambient temperature, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy includes the steps of: providing a LiB alloy placed in a container; and controlling oxygen flux to the container.

A means for energy storage includes: a Li-B alloy, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A means for energy release includes: a LiB alloy adapted to react with oxygen at ambient temperature, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy includes the steps of: providing a LiB alloy placed in a container; and controlling oxygen flux to the container.

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 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.