Physical Sciences Inc. SBIR Phase II Award, February 2019

Physical Sciences Inc. and BAE Systems have developed and demonstrated a scalable process to oxidatively resistant nanometallic matrices for use in energetic materials. The multi-functional coated nanometallic matrices will provide an oxidatively stable, hydrophobic, PAX binder compatible nanoparticle fuel to augment explosive performance and insensitive munition compliancy. The Phase I program demonstrated a process to tailor particle size and covalently bond molecular monolayers to the nanoparticle surface by a simple process that is amendable to large-scale manufacturing at BAE Systems. In Phase II, the process will be sequentially scaled-up while maintaining thermophysical properties, binder compatibility, insensitivity, and will be quantified for blast performance in 1 kg high explosive formulations.