DOE Patents Database - Search Results

Patent Title	Inventor(s)	Issue Date	Patent Number
An ordered energetic composite structure according to one embodiment includes an ordered array of metal fuel portions; and an oxidizer in gaps located between the metal fuel portions. An ordered energetic composite structure according to another embodiment includes at least one metal fuel portion having an ordered array of nanopores; and an oxidizer in the nanopores. A method for forming an ordered energetic composite structure according to one embodiment includes forming an ordered array of metal fuel portions; and depositing an oxidizer in gaps located between the metal fuel portions. A method for forming an ordered energetic composite structure according to another embodiment includes forming an ordered array of nanopores in at least one metal fuel portion; and depositing an oxidizer in the nanopores. Organized energetic composites based on micro and nanostructures and methods thereof	Gash, Alexander E. , Han, Thomas Yong-Jin , Sirbuly, Donald J.	09/04/2012	8,257,520
A synthetic method for preparation of hybrid inorganic/organic energetic nanocomposites is disclosed herein. The method employs the use of stable metal in organic salts and organic solvents as well as an organic polymer with good solubility in the solvent system to produce novel nanocomposite energetic materials. In addition, fuel metal powders (particularly those that are oxophilic) can be incorporated into composition. This material has been characterized by thermal methods, energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), N.sub.2 adsoprtion/desorption methods, and Fourier-Transform (FT-IR) spectroscopy. According to these characterization methods the organic polymer phase fills the nanopores of the material, providing superb mixing of the component phases in the energetic nanocomposite. Inorganic Metal Oxide/Organic Polymer Nanocomposites And Method Thereof	Gash, Alexander E. , Satcher, Joe H. , Simpson, Randy	11/16/2004	US 6818081
Synthetic methods for the preparation of hydrophobic organics aerogels. One method involves the sol-gel polymerization of 1,3-dimethoxybenzene or 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene with formaldehyde in non-aqueous solvents. Using a procedure analogous to the preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels, this approach generates wet gels that can be dried using either supercritical solvent extraction to generate the new organic aerogels or air dried to produce an xerogel. Other methods involve the sol-gel polymerization of 1,3,5 trihydroxy benzene (phloroglucinol) or 1,3 dihydroxy benzene (resorcinol) and various aldehydes in non-aqueous solvents. These methods use a procedure analogous to the one-step base and two-step base/acid catalyzed polycondensation of phloroglucinol and formaldehyde, but the base catalyst used is triethylamine. These methods can be applied to a variety of other sol-gel precursors and solvent systems. These hydrophobic organics aerogels have numerous application potentials in the field of material absorbers and water-proof insulation. Preparation of hydrophobic organic aeorgels	Baumann, Theodore F. , Satcher, Jr., Joe H. , Gash, Alexander E.	11/06/2007	7,291,653
An energetic composition and system using amassed energetic multilayer pieces which are formed from the division, such as for example by cutting, scoring, breaking, crushing, shearing, etc., of a mechanically activatable monolithic energetic multilayer(s) (e.g. macro-scale sheets of multilayer films), for enhancing the sensitivity of the energetic composite and system to mechanical initiation of self-sustained reaction. In particular, mechanical initiation of the energetic composition may be achieved with significantly lower mechanical energy inputs than that typically required for initiating the monolithic energetic multilayers from which it is derived. Energetic composite and system with enhanced mechanical sensitivity to initiation of self-sustained reaction	Gash, Alexander E. , Barbee, Jr., Troy W.	05/29/2012	8,187,398
Sol-gel chemistry is used to prepare igniters comprising energetic multilayer structures coated with energetic materials. These igniters can be tailored to be stable to environmental aging, i.e., where the igniters are exposed to extremes of both hot and cold temperatures (-30 C to 150 C) and both low (0%) and high relative humidity (100%). Nano-laminate-based ignitors	Barbee, Jr., Troy W. , Simpson, Randall L. , Gash, Alexander E. , Satcher, Jr., Joe H.	12/11/2012	8,328,967
An energetic composite having a plurality of reactive particles each having a reactive multilayer construction formed by successively depositing reactive layers on a rod-shaped substrate having a longitudinal axis, dividing the reactive-layer-deposited rod-shaped substrate into a plurality of substantially uniform longitudinal segments, and removing the rod-shaped substrate from the longitudinal segments, so that the reactive particles have a controlled, substantially uniform, cylindrically curved or otherwise rod-contoured geometry which facilitates handling and improves its packing fraction, while the reactant multilayer construction controls the stability, reactivity and energy density of the energetic composite. Layered reactive particles with controlled geometries, energies, and reactivities, and methods for making the same	Fritz, Gregory M , Knepper, Robert Allen , Weihs, Timothy P , Gash, Alexander E , Sze, John S	04/30/2013	8,431,197
A heating apparatus comprising an energetic nanolaminate film that produces heat when initiated, a power source that provides an electric current, and a control that initiates the energetic nanolaminate film by directing the electric current to the energetic nanolaminate film and joule heating the energetic nanolaminate film to an initiation temperature. Also a method of heating comprising providing an energetic nanolaminate film that produces heat when initiated, and initiating the energetic nanolaminate film by directing an electric current to the energetic nanolaminate film and joule heating the energetic nanolaminate film to an initiation temperature. Electrical initiation of an energetic nanolaminate film	Tringe, Joseph W. , Gash, Alexander E. , Barbee, Jr., Troy W.	03/30/2010	7,687,746
Nanostructured chromium(III)-oxide-based materials using sol-gel processing and a synthetic route for producing such materials are disclosed herein. Monolithic aerogels and xerogels having surface areas between 150 m.sup.2/g and 520 m.sup.2/g have been produced. The synthetic method employs the use of stable and inexpensive hydrated-chromium(III) inorganic salts and common solvents such as water, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, t-butanol, 2-ethoxy ethanol, and ethylene glycol, DMSO, and dimethyl formamide. The synthesis involves the dissolution of the metal salt in a solvent followed by an addition of a proton scavenger, such as an epoxide, which induces gel formation in a timely manner. Both critical point (supercritical extraction) and atmospheric (low temperature evaporation) drying may be employed to produce monolithic aerogels and xerogels, respectively. Method for producing high surface area chromia materials for catalysis	Gash, Alexander E. , Satcher, Joe , Tillotson, Thomas , Hrubesh, Lawrence , Simpson, Randall	05/01/2007	7,211,607
Sol-gel chemistry is used to prepare igniters comprising energetic multilayer structures coated with energetic booster materials. These igniters can be tailored to be stable to environmental aging, i.e., where the igniters are exposed to extremes of both hot and cold temperatures (-30 C to 150 C) and both low (0%) and high relative humidity (100%). Nano-laminate-based ignitors	Barbee, Jr., Troy W. , Simpson, Randall L. , Gash, Alexander E. , Satcher, Jr., Joe H.	05/31/2011	7,951,247
A method for creating a pyrophoric material according to one embodiment includes thermally activating a carbon foam for creating micropores therein; contacting the activated carbon foam with a liquid solution comprising a metal salt for depositing metal ions in the carbon foam; and reducing the metal ions in the foam to metal particles. A pyrophoric material in yet another embodiment includes a pyrophoric metal-carbon foam composite comprising a carbon foam having micropores and mesopores and a surface area of greater than or equal to about 2000 m.sup.2/g, and metal particles in the pores of the carbon foam. Additional methods and materials are also disclosed. Pyrophoric metal-carbon foam composites and methods of making the same	Gash, Alexander E. , Satcher, Jr., Joe H. , Simpson, Randall L. , Baumann, Theodore F. , Worsley, Marcus A.	05/08/2012	8,172,964