Nanoenergetics and High Hydrogen Content Materials for Space Propulsion

Abstract : Progress in the past year has occurred in the following areas: 1) understanding the role of pH and rheology on Al/water combustion, 2) encapsulation of nanoparticles in crystals for propellants, 3) disrupting ignition of aluminum with fluorocarbon inclusions, 4) the combustion of micron aluminum with hydrogen peroxide, and high speed PLIF applied to composite propellants, 5) the thermochemical behavior of Ni-coated Al particles, 6) the effects of particle size on melting, diffusion, and reactions, 7) the pyrophoricity of nano-aluminum particles, 8) the thermal decomposition and high temperature oxidation of ammonia borane (NH3BH3),particularly as an energetic fuel/additive, and 9) investigations of solid oxidizer and gaseous fuel combustion performance using counterflow burners and reverse hybrid motors. Each of these topics are described in more detail below.