Layered energetic material having multiple ignition points

摘要

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.

主权项

1. In combination, an energetic material and an ignition system, comprising:
a metal oxide layer having a first thickness, the first thickness being between about 5 am and about 1,000 nm; a reducing metal layer having a second thickness, the second thickness being between about 5 nm and about 1,000 nm; an interface between the metal oxide layer and reducing metal layer, the interface being either substantially free of reducing metal oxide, or the interface being a reducing metal oxide layer having an average thickness of less than 2 nm; and the combination being of unitary construction with the ignition system forming a layer of the combination, the layer having a plurality of ignition signal conductors therewithin, the ignition system further having an ignition point corresponding to each ignition signal conductor, the ignition system being structured to provide an ignition signal to each ignition point at a predetermined time and with a predetermined sequence with respect to ignition signals provided to other ignition points.