The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, 2, 7-31

7Open Access

Active Thermitic Material Discovered in Dust from the 9/11 World Trade
Center Catastrophe
Niels H. Harrit*,1, Jeffrey Farrer2, Steven E. Jones*,3, Kevin R. Ryan4, Frank M. Legge5,
Daniel Farnsworth2, Gregg Roberts6, James R. Gourley7 and Bradley R. Larsen3
1

Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark2

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

3

S&J Scientific Co., Provo, UT, 84606, USA4

9/11 Working Group of Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA

5

Logical Systems Consulting, Perth, Western Australia

6Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

7

International Center for 9/11 Studies, Dallas, TX 75231, USA
Abstract: We have discovered distinctive red/gray chips in all the samples we have studied of the dust produced by thedestruction of the World Trade Center. Examination of four of these samples, collected from separate sites, is reported inthis paper. These red/gray chips show marked similarities in all four samples. One sample was collected by a Manhattan
resident about ten minutes after the collapse of the second WTC Tower, two the next day, and a fourth about a week later.
The properties of these chips were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy
dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The red material contains grains approximately 100 nm across which are largely iron oxide, while aluminum is contained in tiny plate-like structures. Separationof components using methyl ethyl ketone demonstrated that elemental aluminum is present. The iron oxide and aluminum
are intimately mixed in the red material. When ignited in a DSC device the chips exhibit large but narrow exotherms occurring at approximately 430 ˚C, far below the normal ignition temperature for conventional thermite. Numerous iron-rich
spheres are clearly observed in the residue following the ignition of these peculiar red/gray chips. The red portion of thesechips is found to be an unreacted thermitic material and highly energetic.

Keywords: Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, DSC
analysis, World Trade Center, WTC dust, 9/11, Iron-rich microspheres, Thermite, Super-thermite, Energetic nanocomposites,
Nano-thermite.
INTRODUCTION
The destruction of three skyscrapers (WTC 1, 2 and 7) on
September 11, 2001 was an immensely tragic catastrophethat not only impacted thousands of people and families directly, due to injury and loss of life, but also provided the
motivation for numerous expensive and radical changes indomestic and foreign policy. For these and other reasons,knowing what really happened that fateful day is of grave
importance.
A great deal of effort has been put forth by various government-sponsored and -funded investigations, which led, inlarge part, to the reports released by FEMA [1] and NIST[2]. Other studies of the destruction have been less well

*Address correspondence to these authors (NH) Department of Chemistry,
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark;Tel: (+45)35321846; Fax: (+45)35320460; E-mail: harrit@nano.ku.dk,(SEJ) at S&J Scientific Co., Provo, UT, 84606, USA; Tel: 801-735-5885;
E-mail: Hardevidence@gmail.com

1874-4125/09

publicized but are no less important to the outstanding obligation that remains to the victims of that tragedy, to determine
the whole truth of the events of that day [3-10]. A number ofthese studies have appropriately focused attention on the remaining physical material, and on available photographs andvideo footage, as sources of evidence still in public hands,
relating to the method of destruction of the three skyscrapers.
The collapses of the three tallest WTC buildings wereremarkable for their completeness, their near free-fall speed[11] their striking radial symmetry [1, 12] and the surprisingly large volume of fine toxic dust [13] that was generated.
In order to better understand these features of the destruction, the authors initiated an examination of this dust. In June
2007, Dr. Steven Jones observed distinctive bi-layered chips,with both a red and a gray layer, in a sample of the WTC
dust. Initially, it was suspected these might be dried paintchips, but after closer inspection and testing, it was shownthat this was not the case. Further testing was then performedon the red/gray chips in an attempt to ascertain their compo-

2009 Bentham Open

8 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

sition and properties. The authors also obtained and examined additional samples of WTC dust which had been collected by independent observers on, or very soon after, 9/11.
All of the samples examined contained these very small,peculiar red/gray chips. Previous studies discussing observations of the WTC dust include reports by the RJ Lee Company [14], the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) [15], McGeeet al. [13] and Lioy et al. [16] Some of these studies confirmed the finding of iron-rich microspheres, which are also
peculiar [5, 8, 11, 13-15] but the red/gray chips analyzed inthis study have apparently not been discussed in previously
published reports. It is worth emphasizing that one sample
was collected about ten minutes after the collapse of the second Tower, so it cannot possibly have been contaminated byclean-up operations [17].

tion [6], a general request was issued for samples of the
WTC dust. The expectation at that time was that a careful
examination of the dust might yield evidence to support the
hypothesis that explosive materials other than jet fuel caused
the extraordinarily rapid and essentially total destruction of
the WTC buildings.

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In a paper presented first online in autumn 2006 regarding anomalies observed in the World Trade Center destruc-betin

1. Provenance of the Samples Analyzed for this Report

Eliza

MATERIALS AND METHODSBow

It was learned that a number of people had saved samplesof the copious, dense dust, which spread and settled acrossManhattan. Several of these people sent portions of theirsamples to members of this research group. This paper discusses four separate dust samples collected on or shortly
after 9/11/2001. Each sample was found to contain red/graychips. All four samples were originally collected by private
citizens who lived in New York City at the time of the tragedy. These citizens came forward and provided samples foranalysis in the public interest, allowing study of the 9/11
dust for whatever facts about the day might be learned fromthe dust. A map showing the locations where the four samples were collected is presented as Fig. (1).

Yo rk St

Fig. (1). Map showing collection locations of dust samples analyzed in this study with respect to the location of the WTC complex (marked
area near location 1). 1: MacKinlay (113 Cedar St./110 Liberty St); 2: Delessio/Breidenbach (Brooklyn Bridge); 3: Intermont (16 Hudson
St); 4: White (1 Hudson St). (Base map courtesy of http://www.openstreetmap.org; copyright terms at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by-sa/2.0/).

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The earliest-collected sample came from Mr. Frank Delessio who, according to his videotaped testimony [17], wason the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge about the time
the second tower, the North Tower, fell to the ground. He
saw the tower fall and was enveloped by the resulting thickdust which settled throughout the area. He swept a handfulof the dust from a rail on the pedestrian walkway near theend of the bridge, about ten minutes after the fall of theNorth Tower. He then went to visit his friend, Mr. Tom
Breidenbach, carrying the dust in his hand, and the two ofthem discussed the dust and decided to save it in a plasticbag. On 11/15/2007, Breidenbach sent a portion of this dust
to Dr. Jones for analysis. Breidenbach has also recorded his
testimony about the collection of this dust sample on videotape [17]. Thus, the Delessio/Breidenbach sample was collected about ten minutes after the second tower collapsed. Itwas, therefore, definitely not contaminated by the steelcutting or clean-up operations at Ground Zero, which began
later. Furthermore, it is not mixed with dust from WTC 7,
which fell hours later.
On the morning of 9/12/2001, Mr. Stephen White of New
York City entered a room in his apartment on the 8th floor of
1 Hudson Street, about five blocks from the WTC. He founda layer of dust about an inch thick on a stack of folded laundry near a window which was open about 4 inches (10 cm).
Evidently the open window had allowed a significant amountof dust from the WTC destruction the day before to enter theroom and cover the laundry. He saved some of the dust and,on 2/02/2008, sent a sample directly to Dr. Jones for analysis.
Another sample was collected from the apartment building at 16 Hudson Street by Mr. Jody Intermont at about 2 pm
on 9/12/2001. Two small samples of this dust were simultaneously sent to Dr. Jones and to Kevin Ryan on 2/02/2008
for analysis. Intermont sent a signed affidavit with eachsample verifying that he had personally collected the (nowsplit) sample; he wrote:“This dust, which came from the ‘collapsed’
World Trade Center Towers, was collected frommy loft at the corner of Reade Street and Hudson Street on September 12, 2001. I give permission to use my name in connection to thisevidence”. [Signed 31 January 2008 in the presence of a witness who also signed his name].

On the morning of 9/11/2001, Ms. Janette MacKinlay
was in her fourth-floor apartment at 113 Cedar St./110 Liberty St. in New York City, across the street from the WTC
plaza. As the South Tower collapsed, the flowing cloud of
dust and debris caused windows of her apartment to breakinward and dust filled her apartment. She escaped by quickly
wrapping a wet towel around her head and exiting the building. The building was closed for entry for about a week. As
soon as Ms. MacKinlay was allowed to re-enter her apartment, she did so and began cleaning up. There was a thicklayer of dust on the floor. She collected some of it into alarge sealable plastic bag for possible later use in an art
piece. Ms. MacKinlay responded to the request in the 2006
paper by Dr. Jones by sending him a dust sample. In No-

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 29vember 2006, Dr. Jones traveled to California to visit Ms.
MacKinlay at her new location, and in the company of several witnesses collected a second sample of the WTC dust
directly from her large plastic bag where the dust was stored.
She has also sent samples directly to Dr. Jeffrey Farrer and
Kevin Ryan. Results from their studies form part of this report.
Another dust sample was collected by an individual froma window sill of a building on Potter Street in NYC. He has
not given permission for his name to be disclosed, therefore
his material is not included in this study. That sample, however, contained red/gray chips of the same general composition as the samples described here.
2. Chip Size, Isolation, and Examination
For clarification, the dust samples collected and sent tothe authors by Ms. Janette MacKinlay will be sample 1; thesample collected by Mr. Frank Delassio, or the Delassio/Breidenbach sample, will be sample 2; the sample collected by Mr. Jody Intermont will be sample 3; and the sample collected by Mr. Stephen White will be sample 4. The
red/gray chips are attracted by a magnet, which facilitatescollection and separation of the chips from the bulk of thedust. A small permanent magnet in its own plastic bag wasused to attract and collect the chips from dust samples. The
chips are typically small but readily discernible by eye due totheir distinctive color. They are of variable size with major
dimensions of roughly 0.2 to 3 mm. Thicknesses vary fromroughly 10 to 100 microns for each layer (red and gray).
Samples of WTC dust from these and other collectors havebeen sent directly from collectors to various scientists (including some not on this research team) who have also foundsuch red/gray chips in the dust from the World Trade Center
destruction.
An FEI XL30-SFEG scanning electron microscope(SEM) was used to perform secondary-electron (SE) imaging and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. The SE imaging was used to look at the surface topography and porosityof the red/gray chips, while the BSE imaging was used to
distinguish variations in average atomic number, Z. The microscope was also equipped with an EDAX X-ray energy
dispersive spectrometry (XEDS) system. The XEDS system
uses a silicon detector (SiLi) with resolution better than 135
eV. The spectrum resolution was set to 10 eV per channel.
Operating conditions for the acquired XEDS spectra were 20
keV beam energy (unless otherwise specified) and 40-120
second acquisition time (livetime). XEDS maps were acquired using the same system at a beam energy of 10 keV.
For general surface analysis in the SEM, dust samples
were mounted to carbon conductive tabs. The samples wereleft unwashed and uncoated unless otherwise specified. Inorder to more closely observe the characteristics of the red
and gray layers, and to eliminate the possibility of surface
contamination from other dust particles, several red/graychips from each of the four WTC dust samples were fractured. The clean, cross-section surfaces were then studied by
BSE imaging and XEDS.

10 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2Some samples were also tested in a differential scanningcalorimeter (Netzsch DSC 404C) to measure heat flow intoor out of the red/gray chips. The DSC tests were conductedwith a linear heating rate of 10 ˚C per minute up to a temperature of 700 ˚C. During heating, the samples were contained in alumina pans and air was allowed to flow at 55
milliliters per minute during the heating. The plots were generated by acquiring data points at a rate of 20 points per ˚Cor 200 points per minute. The equipment was calibrated todisplay the data in watts per gram. The plots were set to display positive heat flow out of the sample such that exothermic behavior of the sample would yield a peak and endothermic behavior a trough.
The dust samples were also examined by visible-lightmicroscopy (VLM) through a Nikon Epiphot 200 stereomicroscope, an Olympus BX60 stereomicroscope and a Nikon
Labophot microscope and camera.
RESULTS
1. Characterization of the Red/Gray Chips
Red/gray chips were found in all of the dust samples collected. An analysis of the chips was performed to assess thesimilarity of the chips and to determine the chemistry andmaterials that make up the chips. Fig. (2) displays photomi-

Harrit et al.

crographs of red/gray chips from each of the four WTC dust
samples. Note the scale marker in each image as they wereacquired at different magnifications. At approximately
2.5 mm in length, the chip in Fig. (2a) was one of the larger
chips collected. The mass of this chip was approximately 0.7
mg. All of the chips used in the study had a gray layer and a
red layer and were attracted by a magnet. The inset image in
Fig. (2d) shows the chip in cross section, which reveals thegray layer. The gray layer is also partially visible in Fig.
(2b). Similarities between the samples are already evident
from these photographs.
Fig. (3) shows three images for comparison of views of
the same set of chips using different methods. Fig. (3a) is a
VLM photomicrograph of a group of particles, which shows
the red material and in some cases the adhering gray material. Fig. (3b, c) are, respectively, a secondary electron (SE)image and a backscattered electron (BSE) image of the samegroup of particles, using a scanning electron microscope(SEM) without a conductive coating over the sample. It canbe seen in the SE image that the red layer of the particles hasvery bright regions caused by a slight accumulation of
charge under the electron beam, owing to the relatively poor
conductivity of the red layer (see Discussion section). The
BSE image shows the red layer darker than the gray layer,

Fig. (2). Photomicrographs of red/gray chips from samples 1-4 of the WTC dust involved in this study, shown in (a)-(d) respectively. The
inset in (d) shows the chip edge on, which reveals the gray layer. The red/gray chips are mounted on an aluminum pedestal, using a carbon
conductive tab, for viewing in the scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

11

Fig. (3). A series of images of the same group of particles extracted by magnet from sample 2. The color photomicrograph in (a), obtained by
VLM, locates and identifies the red/gray particles. An SE image (b) acquired by SEM gives a better indication of size and shape of the particles, and a BSE image (c) shows, by grayscale intensity, the difference in average atomic number between the red layer, gray layer and other
dust particles.

indicating that the red layer is composed of material that hasa relatively lower average atomic number than the graylayer.
A higher-magnification BSE image of the corner of oneof the chips, shown in Fig. (4), allows for closer examinationof the difference in grayscale intensity of the two layers andconfirms the higher average atomic number of the gray layer.
The red material also shows specks and other heterogeneities, in marked contrast to the smooth gray layer.

Newly fractured cross sections of red/gray chips from thefour different dust samples are shown by BSE imaging in
Fig. (5). These four cross sections are representative of all
the red/gray chips studied from the dust samples. The BSE
images illustrate the finding that all of the red layers studied
contained small bright particles or grains characterized by ahigh average atomic number. The size and presence of theparticles was found to be consistent throughout the layers,
but the concentration of the particles was found to vary locally, as can be seen from the images.

Red Layer
Gray
Layer

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 6.0 2400x

Det WD Exp
BSE 7.5 1

20 mm

Fig. (4). Higher magnification BSE image of one of the chips in previous image. The red layer appears darker and is on top of the gray layer.

12 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

(a)
(a)

10 mm

(c)
(c)

5 mm
m

Harrit et al.

(b)
(b)

Acc.V Spot Magn
Spot 5000x
Acc.V
Magn
10.0
kV 3.010.0 kV 3.0 5000x

Det WD Exp
Det 4.9
WD 1Exp
BSE
BSE 4.9 1

10 mm
 m

(d)
(d)

10
 mm
m

Fig. (5). BSE images of cross sections of red/gray chips from samples 1-4 shown in (a)-(d) respectively. The cross sections from sample 2(b) and 4 (d) also show the adhering gray layer.

X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) analyses
of both the red and gray layers from cross sections preparedfrom the four dust samples were performed and representative spectra are shown in Figs. (6, 7). The four spectra in Fig.
(6) indicate that the gray layers are consistently characterizedby high iron and oxygen content including a smaller amountof carbon. The chemical signatures found in the red layers
are also quite consistent (Fig. 7), each showing the presenceof aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), iron (Fe) and oxygen (O), anda significant carbon (C) peak as well.
At still higher magnifications, BSE imaging of the redlayer illustrates the similarity between the different dust
samples. BSE images of small but representative portions ofeach red-layer cross section are shown in Fig. (8). The results indicate that the small particles with very high BSE
intensity (brightness) are consistently 100 nm in size andhave a faceted appearance. These bright particles are seenintermixed with plate-like particles that have intermediate
BSE intensity and are approximately 40 nm thick and up to
about 1 micron across. Furthermore, by comparing the BSE
image in Fig. (8a) to the SE image in Fig. (9), it can be seenthat all of the particles are embedded in an unstructured matrix which gives a dark BSE intensity.

XEDS maps of the cross-section surface of the red layer
were acquired at a beam energy of 10 kV. The acquisitionarea of the maps is shown by the BSE image in Fig. (10a).
The XEDS maps, several of which are shown in Fig. (10b-f),
indicate by color, the degree to which the particular element
is present at or near the surface from point to point across thearea. The results indicate that the smaller particles with very
bright BSE intensity are associated with the regions of highFe and O. The plate-like particles with intermediate BSE
intensity appear to be associated with the regions of high Al
and Si. The O map (d) also indicates oxygen present, to alesser degree, in the location of the Al and Si. However, it isinconclusive from these data whether the O is associatedwith Si or Al or both. The carbon map appears less definitive, that is, it does not appear to be associated with a particular particle or group of particles, but rather with the matrix material.
In order to learn more from these findings, a focusedelectron beam was placed directly onto the different particles, and the XEDS data were collected. By placing the beam
on a cluster of plate-like particles, the spectrum in Fig. (11a)
was generated. The spectrum in Fig. (11b) was acquiredActive Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Fe

O

13

(a)

Fe
Fe

C
Fe

O

(b)

Fe
Fe

C
Fe

O

(c)

Fe
Fe

C
Fe

O

(d)

Fe
Fe

C
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9



Fig. (6). XEDS spectra obtained from the gray layers from each of the four WTC dust samples, with (a) corresponding to sample 1, and soon (b-d).

14 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

(a)

C

O
Fe

Al

Fe

Si

Fe

(b)

C

O
Al

Fe

Si

Fe
Fe

(c)

C

O
Fe

Al

Si

Fe
K

S

Na

Ca

Fe

(d)

C

O

Al

Si
Fe

Fe
0

1

Fe
2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9



Fig. (7). XEDS spectra obtained from the red layers from each of the four WTC dust samples, with (a) corresponding to sample 1 and so on(b-d).

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

15

Fig. (8). BSE images of cross sections of the red layer from each of the dust samples 1-4 shown in (a)-(d) respectively.

spectra display significant carbon and oxygen, which may bepartially due to the beam spreading and receiving an overlapping X-ray signal from the matrix material as well as particles below the surface. The beam energy (20 keV) is suchthat the volume of material from which the X-ray signal isgenerated is larger than the particles. Hence, some Al and Si
are seen in Fig. (11b) which may not be inherent in the faceted grains, and some Fe is seen in Fig. (11a), which may
not be inherent in the plate-like particles.

Acc.V Spot Magn Det WD Exp
10.0 kV 3.0 50000x SE 8.0 1

1 mm

The consistently rhombic-shaped, faceted appearance of
the iron-rich grains strongly suggests that they are crystalline. From these data, it is determined that the red/gray chips
from different WTC dust samples are extremely similar in
their chemical and structural makeup. It is also shown thatwithin the red layer there is an intimate mixing of the Fe-richgrains and Al/Si plate-like particles and that these particles
are embedded in a carbon-rich matrix.

Fig. (9). SE image of the cross section shown in Fig. (8a).

2. Test Using Methyl Ethyl Ketone Solvent

from a cluster of the smaller bright faceted grains. Again it
was observed that the thin sheet-like particles are rich in Al
and Si whereas the bright faceted grains are rich in Fe. BothBy employing some means to separate the different
components of the material, the chemical compositions of
the different particles in the red layer were more accurately

16 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

Fig. (10). This shows a BSE image (a) and XEDS maps (b-f) of the red-layer cross section of a red/gray chip from dust sample 1. The elements displayed are: (b) Fe, (c) Al, (d) O, (e) Si, and (f) C.
O

(a)

C

Al

Fe

Si

Na

Fe

K

Fe

C

(b)

O
Fe
Fe
Na

0

1

Al

Si
Fe

K

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9



Fig. (11). XEDS spectra showing the elemental compositions of a grouping of thin platelets (a) and of a grouping of whitish particles (b), as
seen in the high-magnification images of red layers (see Fig. (8)).

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

determined. The initial objective was to compare the behavior of the red layer with paint when soaked in a strong organic solvent known to soften and dissolve paint. Red/graychips were soaked in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) for 55
hours with frequent agitation and subsequently dried in air
over several days. The chips showed significant swelling of
the red layer, but with no apparent dissolution. In marked
contrast, paint chips softened and partly dissolved whensimilarly soaked in MEK. It was discovered in this processthat a significant migration and segregation of aluminum hadoccurred in the red-chip material. This allowed us to assess
whether some of the aluminum was in elemental form.
The chip that was used for this experiment was extracted
from dust sample 2 and is shown in the images below. Fig.
(12a) shows an SE image of the chip prior to the MEK
treatment. It is positioned with the interface between the red
and gray layers nearly parallel to the plane of the image. Fig.
(12b) shows a BSE image of the chip after the MEK soak.
Note that the chip fractured during the MEK treatment andhandling. In this image the red layer and gray layer are side
by side so that the interface between the layers is edge-on(perpendicular to the plane of the image) with the gray layeron the right. The red layer of the chip was found, by visualinspection, to have swelled out from the gray layer by a fac-

(a)

17

tor of roughly 5 times its original thickness. The photomicrograph shown in Fig. (13) also shows the chip after the
MEK soak. The red layer can be seen extending out from thegray layer.

Fig. (13). Photomicrograph of the MEK treated chip.

Prior to soaking the chip in MEK an XEDS spectrum was
acquired from an area of the red-layer surface. The resulting
spectrum, shown in Fig. (14), produced the expected peaks
for Fe, Si, Al, O, and C. Other peaks included calcium, sulfur, zinc, chromium and potassium. The occurrence of theseelements could be attributed to surface contamination due tothe fact that the analysis was performed on the as-collectedsurface of the red layer. The large Ca and S peaks may be
due to contamination with gypsum from the pulverized wallboard material in the buildings.
O

Ca

C

500 mm

Fe
Si
Fe

(b)

Zn
1

S

Al

Ca

2

3

4

Fe

Cr
5

6

7

Zn
8

9

keV

Fig. (14). XEDS spectrum of red side before soaking in MEK. Notice the presence of Zn and Cr, which are sometimes seen in the redlayers. The large Ca and S peaks may be due to surface contamination with wallboard material.

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 3.0 400x

Det WD Exp
BSE 9.8 1

100 mmFig. (12). SE images of the red/gray chip that was soaked in methyl
ethyl ketone for 55 hours, (a) prior to and (b) after MEK soaking.

XEDS maps were acquired from the swollen red material
at a beam energy of 10 kV, in order to determine the locations of various elements following the MEK treatment. The
data shown in Fig. (15) illustrate regions where iron, aluminum and silicon are concentrated. Furthermore, the data indicate that wherever silicon or iron is concentrated, oxygenis also concentrated. On the other hand, there also exist regions where the aluminum is concentrated but where the18 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

Fig. (15). (a) BSE image and (b)-(f) accompanying XEDS maps from the red layer of the chip which was soaked in methyl ethyl ketone for
55 hours. The maps for (b) Fe, (c) Al, (d) O, (e) Si, and (f) C are shown.

oxygen may not accompany it commensurately. To confirm
and to quantify these observations, XEDS spectra (subsequent plots) were acquired from specific regions of high Si,
Al and Fe concentrations.
Focusing the electron beam on a region rich in silicon,
located in Fig. (15e), we find silicon and oxygen and very
little else (Fig. 16). Evidently the solvent has disrupted thematrix holding the various particles, allowing some migration and separation of the components. This is a significant
result for it means that the aluminum and silicon are notbound chemically.

The next XEDS spectrum (Fig. 17) was acquired from a
region that showed a high concentration of aluminum. Usinga conventional quantification routine, it was found that thealuminum significantly exceeded the oxygen present (approximately a 3:1 ratio). Thus, while some of the aluminum
may be oxidized, there is insufficient oxygen present to account for all of the aluminum; some of the aluminum must
therefore exist in elemental form in the red material. This is
an important result. Aluminum particles are covered with alayer of aluminum oxide irrespective of size, thus it is reasonable to find a significant oxygen content with the aluminum, given the very high surface area to volume ratio ofthese very fine particles.

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Si

spectra, and after accounting for oxygen fractions to trace elements, it is found that the Fe:O ratio for the spectrum in Fig.
(18) is approximately 2:3. This indicates that the iron is oxidized
and apparently in oxidation state III, indicating that Fe2O3, orperhaps an iron (III) oxo-bridged polymer, is present.

O

Fe

C

To check the quantification method, tests were performed
with the known chemical, iron (III) oxide, and the elementalquantification was found to yield consistent and repeatable
results for iron and oxygen. In particular we made eight 50second measurements on Fe2O3 samples and found consistency for iron (± 6.2%, 1 sigma) and for oxygen (± 3.4%, 1
sigma) with the O/Fe ratio consistently near 1.5 as expected.

Fe

1

0

2

3

4

5

7

6

8

9

keV

Fig. (16). XEDS spectrum from a silicon-rich region on the porous
red matrix of the MEK-treated red material.
AI

The existence of elemental aluminum and iron oxide leads
to the obvious hypothesis that the material may contain thermite. However, before concluding that the red material found in
the WTC dust is thermitic, further testing would be required.
For example, how does the material behave when heated in asensitive calorimeter? If the material does not react vigorously it
may be argued that although ingredients of thermite are present,
the material may not really be thermitic.
3. Thermal
CalorimetryCO
Fe Mg Si
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

keV

Fig. (17). XEDS spectrum obtained at 10 kV from a probe of theregion of high aluminum concentration on the MEK-soaked red
chip.

Next a region of particularly high iron concentration was
analyzed, yielding the XEDS spectrum shown in Fig. (18).
O

Analysisusing

Differential

Scanning

Red/gray chips were subjected to heating using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The data shown in Fig.
(19) demonstrate that the red/gray chips from different WTC
samples all ignited in the range 415-435 ˚C. The energy release for each exotherm can be estimated by integrating withrespect to time under the narrow peak. Proceeding from thesmallest to largest peaks, the yields are estimated to be approximately 1.5, 3, 6 and 7.5 kJ/g respectively. Variations inpeak height as well as yield estimates are not surprising,since the mass used to determine the scale of the signal,
shown in the DSC traces, included the mass of the graylayer. The gray layer was found to consist mostly of ironoxide so that it probably does not contribute to the exotherm,
and yet this layer varies greatly in mass from chip to chip.
4. Observation of Iron-Rich Sphere Formation Upon
Ignition of Chips in a Differential Scanning CalorimeterIn the post-DSC residue, charred-porous material andnumerous microspheres and spheroids were observed. Manyof these were analyzed, and it was found that some wereiron-rich, which appear shiny and silvery in the optical microscope, and some were silicon-rich, which appear transparent or translucent when viewed with white light; see photographs taken using a Nikon microscope (Fig. 20).

Fe
Fe

Si

C
Na
0

19

1

AI

P
2

S

Fe

CI
3

4

5

6

7

8

9



Fig. (18). XEDS spectrum obtained from a probe of the region ofhigh iron concentration on the MEK-soaked red chip, acquired witha 15 kV beam.

Oxygen is very consistently found in high concentration
with the iron in the red material even after soaking in MEK
solvent (Fig. 15), and in Fig. (18) an abundance of oxygen isfound relative to iron. Based on quantification of the XEDSThe abundant iron-rich spheres are of particular interestin this study; none were observed in these particular chips
prior to DSC-heating. Spheres rich in iron already demonstrate the occurrence of very high temperatures, well above
the 700 ˚C temperature reached in the DSC, in view of thehigh melting point of iron and iron oxide [5]. Such high temperatures indicate that a chemical reaction occurred.
Using back-scattered electron (BSE) imaging, spheres
were selected in the post-DSC residue which appeared to berich in iron. An example is shown in Fig. (21) along with thecorresponding XEDS spectrum for this sphere.

20 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

MacKinlay 1
Mackinlay 2
Intermont
White

22
18

DSC(W/g)Harrit et al.

14
10
6
2
-2
20

70

120 170 220 270 320 370

420

4 7 0 5 2 0 570 6 2 0 6 7 0

Te m p e r a t u r e ( C )O

Fig. (19). Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) traces for four red/gray chip samples found in World Trade Center dust collections.

Fig. (20). Photomicrographs of residues from red/gray chips ignited in the DSC. Notice the shiny-metallic spheres and also the translucent
spheres. Each blue scale-marker represents 50 microns.

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

21

Fig. (21). Spheroid found in post-DSC residue showing iron-rich sphere and the corresponding XEDS spectrum. The carbon peak must be
considered indeterminate here since this sample was flashed with a thin carbon layer in order to preclude charging under the electron beam.

A conventional quantitative analysis routine was used toestimate the elemental contents. In the case of this iron-rich
spheroid, the iron content exceeds the oxygen content byapproximately a factor of two, so substantial elemental ironmust be present. This result was repeated in other iron-rich
spheroids in the post-DSC sample as well as in spots in theresidue which did not form into spheres. Spheroids wereobserved with Fe:O ratios up to approximately 4:1. Otheriron-rich spheres were found in the post-DSC residue whichcontained iron along with aluminum and oxygen (see Discussion section).

430 ˚C, 2) iron-rich sphere formation so that the productmust have been sufficiently hot to be molten (over 1400 ˚C
for iron and iron oxide), 3) spheres, spheroids and nonspheroidal residues in which the iron content exceeds theoxygen content. Significant elemental iron is now present as
expected from the thermitic reduction-oxidation reaction ofaluminum and iron oxide.

That thermitic reactions from the red/gray chips haveindeed occurred in the DSC (rising temperature method of
ignition) is confirmed by the combined observation of 1)
highly energetic reactions occurring at approximately

The DSC used in our studies does not allow for visual inspection of the energetic reaction. Therefore tests were also
performed with a small oxyacetylene flame applied to red/graychips. Samples were either heated on a graphite block (Fig. 22)

The evidence for active, highly energetic thermitic material in the WTC dust is compelling.
5. Flame/Ignition Tests

22 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

Fig. (22). Applying a small torch to a minute red chip (left), followed a few seconds later by ejection of material, producing a horizontal
orange streak running toward the operator’s hand (right). (Frames from video of this flame/ignition test).

or held with tweezers in the flame. Several paint samples werealso tested and in each case, the paint sample was immediately
reduced to fragile ashes by the hot flame. This was not thecase, however, with any of the red/gray chips from the World
Trade Center dust.
The first WTC red/gray chip so tested was approximately
1mm  1mm. After a few seconds of heating, the high-speed
ejection of a hot particle was observed under the hand of theperson holding the torch (Fig. 22). The intense light andbright orange color of the particle attest to its high temperature. In this case, the attempt to recover the diminutive endproduct of the reaction was unsuccessful. A short video clipof the test (including slow-motion) is available here:
http://journalof911studies.com/volume/2008/oxy_redchip_sl
ow.mov

In a later flame-ignition test, the end product was recovered and is shown in the photomicrograph and SEM image in
Fig. (23). Once again, the formation of iron-rich semispherical shapes shows that the residue had been melted,
enabling surface tension of the liquid to pull it into sphericalshapes. However, the evidence obtained in the DSC analyses
is more compelling that a thermitic reaction actually occurs
as in that case ignition is observed when the red material isheated to no more than 430 ˚C.
DISCUSSION
All of the dust samples that were inspected were found tocontain red/gray chips. The chips are characterized by a redlayer in which XEDS analysis identifies carbon, oxygen,aluminum, silicon, and iron, and a gray layer in whichmainly iron and oxygen are found. The ratios of these ele-

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 3.0 510x

Det WD Exp
SE 10.0 1

100 mmFig. (23). Silvery-gray spheroids (left) are seen after the ignition test of red/gray chip from sample 1; some of the porous red material remains; both can be seen in the corresponding SEM image (right).

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2ments appear to be similar especially when this analysis isperformed on a clean cross-section of the layers. The BSE
imaging also shows the consistency of the red layers by revealing the size and morphology of the particles that are contained in the bulk of the layers. The results clearly show thesimilarities of the red/gray chips from the different dust
samples from all four sites.

23

There are a number of questions raised by our results.

fine grain (UFG) aluminum in air [18]. These observations
reminded us of nano-thermite fabricated at the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory and elsewhere; available
papers describe this material as an intimate mixture of UFG
aluminum and iron oxide in nano-thermite composites toform pyrotechnics or explosives [19-21]. The thermite reaction involves aluminum and a metal oxide, as in this typicalreaction with iron oxide:

1. How Much of the Energetic Red Material Survived
During the WTC Destruction?

2Al + Fe2O3  Al2O3 + 2Fe (molten iron), H =  853.5
kJ/mole.

In the sample provided by collector J. MacKinlay thefraction of red/gray chips was roughly estimated. Fifteen
small chips having a total mass of 1.74 mg were extracted
from a 1.6 g sample of dust from which readily identifiable
glass and concrete fragments had been removed byhand. Thus the fraction of red/gray chips was approximately
0.1% by weight in the separated dust Another sampling
showed 69 small red/gray chips in a 4.9 g sample of separated dust. Further samples are being analyzed to refine thisestimate. The fall of the WTC Towers produced enormous
clouds of dust whose total mass is difficult to ascertain; but
clearly the total mass of red/gray chips in the WTC dust
must be substantial given the fraction observed in these samplings.
2. Is the Red Material Thermitic in Nature?
Our observations show that the red material contains substantial amounts of aluminum, iron and oxygen, mixed together very finely. In the sample soaked in MEK, we observed a clear migration and aggregation of the aluminumaway from other elements and determined that elemental
aluminum and iron oxide must be present. In the productcollected after DSC ignition, we found spheres which were
not initially present. Many of these spheres were iron richand elemental iron was found in the post-ignition debris.
Further, the DSC traces demonstrate that the red/gray chips
react vigorously at a temperature below the melting point ofaluminum and below the ignition (oxidation) point of ultraImages of spheroids

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 3.0 64x

Det WD Exp
SE 9.7 1

Commercially available thermite behaves as an incendiary when ignited [6], but when the ingredients are ultra-finegrain (UFG) and are intimately mixed, this “nano-thermite”
reacts very rapidly, even explosively, and is sometimes referred to as “super-thermite” [20, 22].
We would like to make detailed comparisons of the redchips with known super-thermite composites, along withcomparisons of the products following ignition, but there aremany forms of this high-tech thermite, and this comparison
must wait for a future study. Meanwhile, we compare withproducts of commercially available (macro-) thermite. During ignition of thermite, we have observed that many spheres
and spheroids are formed as part of the molten product of thereaction is vigorously scattered. These particles tend to become spherical due to surface tension and, being small, arerapidly cooled and solidify as they fall through the air, thus
their spherical shape is preserved.
To facilitate comparisons between the products ofred/gray chip ignition and commercial thermite ignition, we
juxtapose the respective images and XEDS spectra.
We observe that the spheroidal residues from ignition of
red chips (Figs. 25, 26) possess a strikingly similar chemicalsignature to a typical XEDS spectrum from a spheroid generated by commercial thermite (Fig. 24). This similarity supports our hypothesis that the red chips are indeed a form of
thermite.

XEDS spectra of spheroids

1 mm

Fig. (24). Spheres formed during ignition of commercial thermite, with corresponding typical XEDS spectrum.

24 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

Fe

O
Si

AI

C
Ca
Fe

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 3.0 4322x

Det WD Exp
BSE 7.4 1

Fe

Ti

S

10 mm
1

0

3

2

5

4

7

6

8

9

keV

Fig. (25). Spheres formed during ignition of red/gray chip in DSC, with corresponding typical XEDS spectrum (although spheres with predominately iron and some oxygen are also seen in the post-ignition residue).
O

Fe

Si
Fe
AI



Ca

C

m
0

Fe

1

4

3

2

5

7

6

9

8

keV

Fig. (26). Residue of red chip subjected to flame test; XEDS spectrum of left-most microsphere.
O
Fe

Si

AI

Fe

Ca
Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 4.0 1600x

Det WD Exp
SE 10.0.1

Fig. (27). Spheres extracted from WTC dust.

20 mm

C

Mg

0

1

S
2

Fe

K
3

Ti
4

5

6

7

8

9

Fig. (28). XEDS spectrum from a sphere found in the WTC dust.

keVActive Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

In addition to the red/gray chips, many small spheres
have been found by our group in the WTC dust. These contain the same elements as the residue of thermite, as noted ina previous paper [5]. We show spheres found in the WTC
dust (Fig. 27) and a representative XEDS spectrum fromsuch a sphere (Fig. 28); we invite the reader to compare
these results with those found for ignition of commercial
thermite and for ignition of red/gray chips (above).

25

which are intimately mixed at a scale of approximately 100
nanometers (nm) or less. Now we compare a DSC trace obtained for a WTC red/gray chip with a DSC trace obtainedfor known super-thermite (see Fig. (29)).
Ordinary thermite ignites at a much higher temperature(about 900 ˚C or above) and gives a significantly broader
trace than super-thermite [21]. All these data suggest that thethermitic material found in the WTC dust is a form of nanothermite, not ordinary (macro-) thermite. We make no attempt to specify the particular form of nano-thermite present
until more is learned about the red material and especiallyabout the nature of the organic material it contains.

3. Could the Red Material Be Unreacted “SuperThermite”?
We have noted that ordinary thermite acts as an incendiary when ignited. However, when the ingredients are ultrafine-grain and are intimately mixed, the mixture reacts very
rapidly, even explosively [20]. Thus, there is a highly energetic form of thermite known as an energetic nanocomposite
or “super-thermite,” composed of aluminum and iron oxidewith at least one component being approximately 100 nm or
less, often along with silicon and carbon [19-28].

4. Did the Technology to Make Highly Exothermic Nanocomposites Exist Prior to 9/11/2001?
We find the answer in a report by Gash et al. dated April
2000, seventeen months before the tragedy:“Nanostructured composites are multicomponent materials in which at least one of the component phases has one or more dimensions(length, width, or thickness) in the nanometersize range, defined as 1 to 100 nm. Energetic
nanocomposites are a class of material that haveboth a fuel and oxidizer component intimately
mixed and where at least one of the component
phases meets the size definition. A sol-gel derived pyrotechnic is an example of an energetic
nanocomposite, in which metal-oxide nanoparticles react with metals or other fuels in very
exothermic reactions. The fuel resides within
the pores of the solid matrix while the oxidizer
comprises at least a portion of the skeletal ma-“Reaction rates between nanosize aluminumand metal oxides can be significantly greaterthan those observed with traditional micron-size
thermite powders. Reactions occurring between
metal and metal oxide powders are accompanied by the generation of high temperatures(>3000 K). Super-thermites, formed by mixingof aluminum and metal oxide nanopowders result in energy release rate by two orders ofmagnitude higher than similar mixtures consisting of micron size reactants” [22].

The red layer of the red/gray chips is most interesting inthat it contains aluminum, iron and oxygen components
Red/gray chip (Mackinlay WTC dust sample)

10

Xerogel Fe2 O3 /UFG Al(s) energetic nanocomposite(T.M. Tillotson et al. 2001)
8

Watts/gram

6

4

2

0

660

640

620

600

580

560

540

520

500

480

460

440

420

400

380

360

340

320

300

280

260

240

220

200

160

180

140

120

80

100

60

40

20

-2

C

O

Fig. (29). DSC trace of sample 1 (blue line) compared with DSC of xerogel Fe2O3/UFG Al nanocomposite (from Tillotson et al. [28]). BothDSC traces show completion of reaction at temperatures below 560 ˚C.

26 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

trix.” “As an example, energetic nanocomposites of FexOy and metallic aluminum are easily
synthesized. The compositions are stable, safe
and can be readily ignited” [19].

We gather that the technology to make materials remarkably fitting the characterization of the red chips wasavailable by April 2000. In the same report, the scientists
noted that “polymers” can be added to the nanocomposite:“This sol-gel method allows for the addition of
insoluble materials (e.g., metals or polymers) tothe viscous sol, just before gelation, to produce
a uniformly distributed and energetic nanocomposite upon gelation. Al metal (as a fine powder, ~6μm diameter) was added to some FexOy
gel syntheses just before gelation to produce
FexOy /Al(s) pyrotechnic nanocomposites….
These nanocomposites were subsequently processed to make both a xerogel and aerogel of thematerial…. The pyrotechnic nanocomposite canbe ignited using a propane torch” [19].

Indeed, the red chips can be ignited using a torch andthey have properties of a pyrotechnic nanocomposite. All therequired ingredients are present – aluminum, iron, oxygen,silicon, and carbon – and they are incorporated in such a waythat the chip forms (and sometimes ejects) very hot material
when ignited. The Gash report describes FTIR spectra whichcharacterize this energetic material. We have performed
these same tests and will report the results elsewhere. We
note that polymers in the matrix may be responsible for absorption of MEK and the subsequent swelling which we observed [29].
A report on an April 2001 conference discloses who was
known to be working on such explosives at that time:The 221st National Meeting of the American
Chemical Society held during April 2001 in San
Diego featured a symposium on Defense Applications of Nanomaterials. One of the 4 sessions
was titled nanoenergetics…. This session provided a good representation of the breadth ofwork ongoing in this field, which is roughly 10
years old.… At this point in time, all of themilitary services and some DOE and academic
laboratories have active R&D programs aimed
at exploiting the unique properties of nanomaterials that have potential to be used inenergetic formulations for advanced explosives…. nanoenergetics hold promise as useful ingredients for the thermobaric (TBX)
and TBX-like weapons, particularly due totheir high degree of tailorability with regards toenergy release and impulse management [20].

The feature of “impulse management” may be significant. It is possible that formulations may be chosen to havejust sufficient percussive effect to achieve the desired fragmentation while minimizing the noise level.
5. Can Super-Thermite be Handled Safely?
The April 2000 report by Gash et al. states:

Harrit et al.

“The nature of the wet nanocomposites also affords an additional degree of safety. In ourhands, the wet pyrotechnic nanocomposites
cannot be ignited until the drying process iscomplete. This property should allow the production of a large quantity of the pyrotechnics
that can be stored safely for some time anddried shortly before its use” [19].

Safe handling of the malleable sol-gel material allows
easy coating of surfaces (such as steel), which the samegroup, in a subsequent report, says they have achieved.
“The sol-gel process is very amenable to dip-,
spin-, and spray-coating technologies to coatsurfaces. We have utilized this property to dipcoat various substrates to make sol-gel
Fe2O3/Al/Viton coatings. The energetic coating
dries to give a nice adherent film.” “We have
prepared fine powders, pressed pellets, castmonoliths, and thin films of the hybrid inorganic/organic energetic nanocomposite” [25].

Thus, the energetic nano-composite can be sprayed oreven “painted” onto surfaces, effectively forming an energetic or even explosive paint. The red chips we found in the
WTC dust conform to their description of “thin films” of“hybrid inorganic/organic energetic nanocomposite”. Indeed,
the descriptive terms “energetic coating” and “nice adherentfilm” fit very well with our observations of the red-chips
which survived the WTC destruction. We cannot determine
at this time, however, whether the thinness of the chips resulted from the application method or the manner of reaction. While the application of a thin film might have suitedspecific desired outcomes, it is also possible that the quenching effect of the steel the material was in contact with may
have prevented a thin film of a larger mass from reacting.
The fact that most of the chips have a distinctive gray layer
suggests that the unreacted material was in close contact
with something else, either its target, a container, or an adhesive.
Clapsaddle et al. further noted in their report:“These results indicate that under ambient conditions the hybrid inorganic/organic energetic
composite is very stable to impact, is spark insensitive, and only very slightly friction sensitive. As noted in the Experimental section ofthis report, in our hands wet hybrid nanocomposites are safe to handle and difficult to thermal[sic] ignite. However, once dry the material
burns very vigorously and rapidly with the evolution of significant amounts of gaseous species” [24].

The organic component contributes to the rapid gas evolution and explosive nature of these energetic superthermites when dry [24].
“Super-thermite electric matches” have been developedat Los Alamos National Laboratory for which “applications
include triggering explosives for ... demolition” [30]. It isindeed possible that such matches, which are designed to be
ignited by a simple electric pulse, could contain material

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2similar to the red material we have found in the WTC dust.
With regard to the safety of super-thermite matches, the Los
Alamos announcement notes:“Unfortunately, conventional electric matches
use lead containing compounds that are extremely sensitive to impact, friction, static, andheat stimuli, thereby making them dangerous tohandle. In addition, these compounds produce
toxic smoke. The Super-Thermite electricmatches produce no toxic lead smoke and aresafer to use because they resist friction, impact, heat, and static discharge through thecomposition, thereby minimizing accidental ignition. They can be designed to create various
thermal-initiating outputs—simple sparks, hotslag, droplets, or flames—depending on theneeds of different applications” [30].

27some of the enhancement of energy output may have comefrom air oxidation of the organic component.
7. Could the Red Chip Material be Ordinary Paint?
We measured the resistivity of the red material (with very
little gray adhering to one side) using a Fluke 8842A multimeter in order to compare with ordinary paints, using theformula:Specific resistivity = RA / L
where R = resistance (ohms); A = cross-sectional area (m2); L= thickness (m).
Given the small size of the red chip, about 0.5 mm x 0.5mm, we used two probes and obtained a rough value of approximately 10 ohm-m. This is several orders of magnitudeless than paint coatings we found tabulated which are typically over 1010 ohm-m [31].

6. What is the Energy Release of Super-Thermite Compared to Conventional Explosives?
A graph in an article on nanostructured energetic materials [21] shows that the energy/volume yield for Al/Fe2O3
composite material exceeds that of TNT, HMX and TATB
explosives commonly used in demolitions (see Fig. (30)).
It is striking that some of the red/gray chips release moreenergy in kJ/g than does ordinary thermite, as shown in theblue bar graphs above. The theoretical maximum for thermite is 3.9 kJ/g [27]. We suggest that the organic material inevidence in the red/gray chips is also highly energetic, most
likely producing gas to provide explosive pressure. Again,
conventional thermite is regarded as an incendiary whereas
super-thermite, which may include organic ingredients for
rapid gas generation, is considered a pyrotechnic or explosive [6, 24]. As this test was done in air it is possible that

Another test, described above, involved subjection of red
chips to methyl ethyl ketone solvent for tens of hours, withagitation. The red material did swell but did not dissolve, anda hard silicon-rich matrix remained after this procedure. On
the other hand, paint samples in the same exposure to MEK
solvent became limp and showed significant dissolution, as
expected since MEK is a paint solvent.
Further, we have shown that the red material contains
both elemental aluminum and iron oxide, the ingredients ofthermite, in interesting configuration and intimate mixing inthe surviving chips (see Results, section 1). The species are
small (e.g., the iron oxide grains are roughly 100 nm across)in a matrix including silicon and carbon, suggesting a superthermite composite. Red chips when ignited produce very
high temperatures even now, several years after the 9/11
tragedy, as shown by the bright flash observed and the pro-

18
Energy by volume (kJ/cc)
16

Energy by mass (kJ/g)

14

Energy (kJ)

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
HMX

TNT

TATB

Al/Fe2O3WTC Chip WTC Chip WTC Chip WTC Chip
1
2
3
4

Fig. (30). Energy release for monomolecular explosives HMX, TNT and TATB, for energetic composite Al/Fe2O3, [21] and energy releaseby mass for four red/gray chips found in the WTC dust as measured in a Differential Scanning Calorimeter.

28 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

Harrit et al.

duction of molten iron-rich spheres (see photomicrographs in
Fig. (20) above). Correspondingly, the DSC tests demonstrate the release of high enthalpy, actually exceeding that ofpure thermite. Furthermore, the energy is released over ashort period of time, shown by the narrowness of the peak in
Fig. (29). The post-DSC-test residue contains microspheresin which the iron exceeds the oxygen content, implying thatat least some of the iron oxide has been reduced in the reaction. If a paint were devised that incorporated these very
energetic materials, it would be highly dangerous when dry
and most unlikely to receive regulatory approval for buildinguse. To merit consideration, any assertion that a prosaic substance such as paint could match the characteristics we havedescribed would have to be accompanied by empirical demonstration using a sample of the proposed material, including
SEM/XEDS and DSC analyses.
8. What Future Studies are Contemplated?
We observe that the total energy released from some of
the red chips exceeds the theoretical limit for thermite alone(3.9 kJ/g). One possibility is that the organic material in the
red layer is itself energetic. Determination of the chemicalcompound(s) involved in the organic component of the redmaterial would promote understanding. Further studies of the
red material (separated from the gray material) compared toknown super-thermite variants using DSC, TGA, FTIR (etc.)
analyses would certainly be in order. In particular, NMR and
GC-mass spectroscopy and related studies are urged to identify the organic material.
We have observed that some chips have additional elements such as potassium, lead, barium and copper. Are thesesignificant, and why do such elements appear in some redchips and not others? An example is shown in Fig. (31)which shows significant Pb along with C, O, Fe, and Al anddisplays multiple red and gray layers.
In addition, the gray-layer material demands further
study. What is its purpose? Sometimes the gray material appears in multiple layers, as seen in Fig. (32).

Acc.V Spot Magn
20.0 kV 3.0 979x

Det WD Exp
SE 10.0 1

Fig. (31). Photomicrograph of a red/gray chip found in sample 3,
showing multiple layers and an unusual light-gray layer between
the red layers.

The red-mesoporous material is on the left in this view,
with the touching dark-gray layer next and a lighter-graymaterial on the right as seen in a photograph of the samechip (right hand image in Fig. (32)). The gray layer in contact with the red layer has the XEDS spectrum shown in Fig.
(33) in which iron is not seen, while the outer gray material
had an XEDS spectrum just like those displayed in Fig. (6).
Thus, the middle-layer gray material contains carbon andoxygen and presumably also contains hydrogen, too light tobe seen using this method. Since the gray inner layer appears
between two other layers, it may be a type of adhesive, binding a red porous thermitic material to another, iron-rich material. One might speculate that the red thermitic material has
been attached to rusty iron by an adhesive. The cooling effect of the iron in such close proximity, acting as a heat sink,might quench the reaction and explain the fact that unreacted
red thermitic material, always found by us in thin layers,
remains in the dust. These hypotheses invite further experiments.

50 mm

Fig. (32). Close-up SEM image of the chip pictured on the right, the same chip but not precisely the same spot. This chip had been treated in
MEK solvent so that the red layer has expanded and porosity is evident.

Active Thermitic Material Found in WTC Dust

The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

C

O
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

4.

Iron oxide appears in faceted grains roughly 100 nm
across whereas the aluminum appears in thin platelike structures. The small size of the iron oxide particles qualifies the material to be characterized as nanothermite or super-thermite.

5.

Analysis shows that iron and oxygen are present in aratio consistent with Fe2O3. The red material in all
four WTC dust samples was similar in this way. Iron
oxide was found in the pre-ignition material whereas
elemental iron was not.

6.

From the presence of elemental aluminum and ironoxide in the red material, we conclude that it contains
the ingredients of thermite.

7.

As measured using DSC, the material ignites and reacts vigorously at a temperature of approximately
430 ˚C, with a rather narrow exotherm, matching
fairly closely an independent observation on a known
super-thermite sample. The low temperature of ignition and the presence of iron oxide grains less than
120 nm show that the material is not conventional
thermite (which ignites at temperatures above 900 ˚C)
but very likely a form of super-thermite.

8.

After igniting several red/gray chips in a DSC run to700 ˚C, we found numerous iron-rich spheres andspheroids in the residue, indicating that a very hightemperature reaction had occurred, since the iron-richproduct clearly must have been molten to form theseshapes. In several spheres, elemental iron was verified since the iron content significantly exceeded theoxygen content. We conclude that a high-temperature
reduction-oxidation reaction has occurred in theheated chips, namely, the thermite reaction.

9.

The spheroids produced by the DSC tests and by theflame test have an XEDS signature (Al, Fe, O, Si, C)
which is depleted in carbon and aluminum relative tothe original red material. This chemical signature
strikingly matches the chemical signature of the spheroids produced by igniting commercial thermite, andalso matches the signatures of many of the microspheres found in the WTC dust [5].

10.

The carbon content of the red material indicates thatan organic substance is present. This would be expected for super-thermite formulations in order toproduce high gas pressures upon ignition and thus
make them explosive. The nature of the organic material in these chips merits further exploration. We notethat it is likely also an energetic material, in that the
total energy release sometimes observed in DSC tests
exceeds the theoretical maximum energy of the classic thermite reaction.

keV

Fig. (33). XEDS spectrum for gray layer which touches the redlayer of the chip shown above.

No red/gray chips having the characteristics delineatedhere were found in dust generated by controlled demolition
using conventional explosives and methods, for the Stardust
Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (demolished 13 March 2007)
and the Key Bank in Salt Lake City (demolished 18 August2007). Of course, we do not assume that the destruction of
the WTC skyscrapers occurred conventionally.
The red material does burn quickly as shown in the DSC,
and we have observed a bright flash on ignition, but determination of the burn rate of the red material may help to classify
this as a slow or fast explosive. It may be that this material isused not as a cutter-charge itself, but rather as a means to ignite high explosives, as in super-thermite matches [30]. Having observed unignited thermitic material in the WTC residue,
we suggest that other energetic materials suitable for cutter
charges or explosives should also be looked for in the WTC
dust. NIST has admitted that they have not yet looked for such
residues [11].
CONCLUSIONS
We have discovered distinctive red/gray chips in significant numbers in dust associated with the World Trade Center
destruction. We have applied SEM/XEDS and other methods
to characterize the small-scale structure and chemical signature of these chips, especially of their red component. The
red material is most interesting and has the following characteristics:
1.

It is composed of aluminum, iron, oxygen, silicon andcarbon. Lesser amounts of other potentially reactive
elements are sometimes present, such as potassium,
sulfur, lead, barium and copper.

2.

The primary elements (Al, Fe, O, Si, C) are typicallyall present in particles at the scale of tens to hundredsof nanometers, and detailed XEDS mapping shows
intimate mixing.

3.

On treatment with methyl ethyl ketone solvent, somesegregation of components occurred. Elemental aluminum became sufficiently concentrated to be clearly
identified in the pre-ignition material.

29

Based on these observations, we conclude that the redlayer of the red/gray chips we have discovered in the WTC
dust is active, unreacted thermitic material, incorporating
nanotechnology, and is a highly energetic pyrotechnic or
explosive material.

30 The Open Chemical Physics Journal, 2009, Volume 2

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank Tom Breidenbach, Frank Delessio, Jody Intermont, Janette MacKinlay, and Steve Whitefor dust samples acquired soon after the WTC 9/11 catastrophe. We thank David Griscom, Mark Basile, David Allan,
Branton Campbell, Wes Lifferth, Crockett Grabbe, David

Harrit et al.

Ray Griffin, Mike Berger, Frank Carmen, Richard Gage,
Shane Geiger, Justin Keogh, Janice Matthews, John Parulis,
Phillipe Rivera, Allan South and Jared Stocksmith for elucidating discussions and encouragement. Thanks to John Parulis for gathering samples of residues from reacted commercial thermite.

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Received: August 12, 2008

Revised: February 10, 2009

Accepted: February 13, 2009

© Harrit et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.
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