TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A12-012
TDA RESEARCH, INC. — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Defense.
- Amount
- $494,719
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Army
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- A12-012
- Solicitation
- 12.1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CO
- Period
- 2018-10-31 → 2020-07-31
Description
Due to its favorable combustion properties, aluminum is the material of choice in metalized nanoparticle formulations for energetic materials; however, the full potential of aluminum nanoparticles has not been realized due to the presence of a nascent oxide layer (Al2O3) that surrounds the nanoparticles and retards their combustion. As a result, the military is looking for novel surface modification techniques that make use of the oxide layer to make the Al-nanoparticles more reactive. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) has previously developed surface modification chemistry that functionalizes Al-oxide passivation layers to enhance the reactivity of Al-nanoparticles. Using nanoparticle chemistry previously developed at TDA, we have demonstrated enhanced blast effects in metallized explosives. In this project, we will continue to develop these explosive formulations and optimize their performance for enhancing blast effects upon detonation.