Patent Abstract:
This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to neutralize ordnance, more specifically improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). The current invention provides a simple method to neutralize the ordnance by taking advantage of a new class of energetic materials that includes nano-thermites, binary thermites and additionally powdered thermites. In the invention, a projectile is loaded with the new class of energetic materials and fired into the ordnance. The impact causes the energetic materials to react in such a fashion that the explosive compound or other material within the IED or UXO is burned in a self-propagating mode without exploding. Hence, the ordnance is neutralized.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to neutralize explosive devices, and more specifically to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). The current invention provides a simple method to neutralize such explosive devices by taking advantage of a new class of energetic materials called nano-thermites, binary thermites, and, additionally, powdered thermites. More particularly, the invention relates to a projectile that is loaded with the new class of materials and fired into the IED or UXO. The impact causes the nano-energetic materials to react in such a fashion that the explosive compound and/or material within the IED or UXO is burned in a self-propagating mode without exploding. Hence, the IED or UXO is neutralized.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     On the battlefield, the neutralization of UXOs, land mines and IEDs tend to fall into a gray area between the overlapping capabilities of combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. One common strategy is to identify threats, mark them, move around them, and subsequently neutralize them. Neutralization strategies range from destroying the threat with explosives, destroying it with another munition, burning it, or physically disarming it.  
         [0003]     Neutralizing the device using another explosive or munition generally results in a high order/high explosive effect. This process requires many considerations. For example, if the UXO is in a highly populated or public place, the detonation of the UXO can cause harm to people and personel as well as damaging the surrounding buildings and infrastructures. In these cases, neutralization of the UXO requires very specialized equipment and highly trained individuals. Many times, neutralization requires the specialized personnel to closely interact with the UXO or LED and puts them at considerable risk. However, in a battle field environment, these personel and techniques may not be readily available. Therefore there is a need for a simple solution to neutralize UXOs and IEDs that does not require highly specialized equipment and training.  
         [0004]     Physically disarming a UXO or IED is sometimes required, but it requires extremely intimate interaction with the device and highly specialized equipment and personel. In the battle field, IEDs have become much more complex using remote triggering devices, as well as conventional triggering devices. Thus, it is possible that an IED can be detonated by the enemy while it is being disarmed. This greatly enhances the risk to personel. Hence, there is a need to minimize intimate personel contact with the UXO and IED when neutralizing it.  
         [0005]     A method to minimize the potential damage while neutralizing a UXO or IED is to use non-explosive neutralization methods, such as those developed at the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. These methods include propellants, thermites and pyrotechnics and are designed to neutralize the device by deflagration (also referred to as burning or combustion) instead of detonation of the mine&#39;s main charge. Known non-explosive technologies for clearing mines and UXOs are (a) bullet with chemical capsule (BCC); bullet carrying chemical; reactive mine clearance (REMIC and REMIC-II); thermites; Mine Incinerator; Pyrotechnic Torch, and Humanitarian Demining Flare ( manufactured by Thiokol).  
         [0006]     Four of the more common systems are briefly described herein. The first two methods were developed under the Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining R&amp;D Program; the third method was developed by the United Kingdom&#39;s Defense Establishment Research Agency (DERA); and the fourth method was developed under the direction of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).  
         [0007]     The Humanitarian Demining Flare neutralizes mines by quickly burning through the casing and igniting the explosive fill without detonation. [See D. L. Patel, J. J. Regnier and S. P. Burke, “Humanitarian Demining Flare against Cluster Munitions and Hard Cased Landmines,”  U.S. Army CECOM, Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate,  2002] The flare is made from surplus solid rocket propellant manufactured by Thiokol for the Space Shuttle Program. The flare is positioned next to the mine or IED such that the low-thrust flame with an average temperature in excess of 3500° F. (2260° K) can burn through the mine&#39;s casing. The burn time of the flare can be controlled by altering the diameter and length of the flare. Typically, the flare is remotely actuated. A present embodiment of the Thiokol Flare is 5 inches long, one inch in diameter and burns for approximately 70 seconds.  
         [0008]     Two other similar devices to the Humanitarian Demining Flare are the Mine Incinerator (MI) and the FireAnt. [See D. L. Patel, “Can Currently Developed Deflagration Systems Neutralize Hard Case Mines?”,  UXO/Countermine Forum Conference Proceedings,  Apr. 9-12, 2001, New Orleans, USA; A. J. Tulis, J. L. Austing and D. L. Patel, “Rocket-Concept Pyrotechnic-Propellant Torch for the Non-Detonative Neutralization of Mines and UXO,”  Technologies of Mine Countermeasures,  Mar. 27-29, 2001, Sydney, Australia] The MI is based on a self-propagating solid-state reaction (conventional thermite). This device is also positioned within close proximity of the mine such that its liquid reaction products with a temperature up to 4000° K can burn through the mine&#39;s casing and burn the explosive material. The FireAnt is a pyrotechnic device designed to burn the explosives contained within a mine&#39;s casing. It contains a composition of aluminum, barium nitrate, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It contains about 80 gm of composition sealed in a 23.7 cm long, 3.9 cm diameter cardboard cylinder. An electrical match is inserted in the pyrotechnic mixture at the bottom of the cylinder and then it is placed above the UXO. A battery or a demolition device ignites the electrical match. The mixture burns at 1830° K for around 23-24 seconds.  
         [0009]     While these methods overcome the issues associated with the exploding the UXO and they are relatively simple, they still require personnel to intimately interact with the UXO. Hence, there is still a need for a simple and safe method to neutralize the UXOs.  
         [0010]     One method that has addressed the issue associated with the intimate contact with the UXO is the Zeus-Humvee laser ordnance neutralization system (HLONS) developed under the direction of the U.S. Army SMDC. [S. R Gourley, “Zeus-Humvee Laser Ordnance Neutralization System,”  Army Magazine  54, December 2004] This method represents the first high-power laser weapon system to successfully engage and neutralize unexploded ordnance (UXO). The system integrates an up-armored Humvee with a solid-state laser that has an effective stand-off engagement range of up to 300 meters against UXO and surface-laid land mines. The laser neutralizes or negates the ordnance by focusing energy on the outer casing of the target, heating the munition until it is destroyed by internal combustion. The combustion created by the laser produces low-level detonations rather than activating the explosive power designed into land mines and UXOs. This system is quite complex, is expensive and still requires specially trained personnel to operate the equipment.  
         [0011]     Hence, while the current state of the art each address certain aspects of the issues associated with neutralizing a UXO or IED, there is still a need for a simple, inexpensive and safe method for neutralizing explosive devices, particularly IEDs, and UXOs.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Briefly, the present invention provides for an apparatus or device for neutralizing explosive devices and weapons (collectively “ordnance”) containing explosive material that comprises a projectile containing energetic material, wherein, when the projectile contacts and penetrates the ordnance, the energetic material reacts with the explosive material of the ordnance to neutralize the ordnance. In one embodiment of the present invention, a novel apparatus or device uses a new class of materials referred to as Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MIC) or nano-thermites to simply and safely neutralize ordnance, particularly those in the form of IEDs and UXOs. Such new materials are commonly identified as nano-energetic materials. The apparatus is comprised of a small amount of the nano-energetic material packaged within a projectile that is launched from a small caliber rifle, kinetic energy gun, or other suitable launcher. Upon impact with the ordnance, the projectile penetrates the ordnance casing and the impact causes the nano-energetic material to react and neutralize the explosive material within the ordnance. The new apparatus eliminates the need for personnel to be in close or in intimate proximity to the ordnance and eliminates the need for highly specialized personnel and equipment.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the fuel and oxidizer of the MIC composite are segregated so that the projectile is less sensitive to handling issues (such as electrical static discharges), but still retains that ability to react upon impact and neutralize the explosive material within the UXO, IED, land mine or other ordnance.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment of the present invention, a powdered thermite is packaged into the projectile, such that, upon impact, the powdered thermite reacts and neutralizes the explosive material in the IED, UXO, or other ordnance. In that circumstance, the powder may be compacted or loosely contained within the projectile.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment of the present invention, metals that form intermetallic compounds via an exothermic reaction are packaged into the projectile, such that, upon impact, they react and neutralize the explosive material within the IED, UXO or other ordnance. Preferably the metals are powdered with a size in the low to submicron range. The metals may be compacted or loosely contained within the projectile. Additionally the metals may be segregated within the projectile to reduce their reaction sensitivity.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment of the present invention, an oxidizer or metal that reacts with at least one of the projectile casing or the ordnance casing is packaged into the projectile. This allows more energy to be released at the target by using the projectile body or ordnance casing as the fuel source.  
         [0017]     Additionally, a method for neutralizing the explosive material within an UXO, IED, or other ordnance is disclosed. The method involves loading a projectile with the energetic material, firing the projectile from a small caliber rifle, kinetic energy gun or other suitable launcher, and having the projectile penetrate the ordnance casing. The impact with the casing causes the energetic material to react and subsequently burn the explosive material within the UXO, IED or other ordnance. In this manner, the current invention provides a safe method that does not require complex equipment and specialized personnel to neutralize UXOs, IEDs or other ordnance.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention having an aluminum shell containing energetic material where the shell is encased within a sphere.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention having the energetic materials segregated within the projectile.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a physics representation of an embodiment of the present invention impacting an UXO. 
     
    
     DEFINITIONS  
       [0021]     “Improvised Explosive Device” and “IED” shall mean a device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. It may incorporate military stores, but is normally devised from nonmilitary components. An IED typically consists of an explosive charge, possibly a booster charge, a detonator and a mechanism either mechanical or electronic, known as the initiation system. IEDs are extremely diverse in design, and may contain any type of firing device or initiator, plus various commercial, military, or contrived chemical or explosive fillers. IEDs are mostly conventional high-explosive charges, also known as homemade bombs. However, there is the threat that toxic chemical, biological, or radioactive (dirty bomb) material can be included to add to the destructive power and psychological effect of the device. Device placement is generally based on ease of concealment, and the likelihood that an appropriate target (frequently a US military vehicle) will pass close by.  
         [0022]     “Unexploded Ordnance” and “(UXO)” shall mean an explosive weapon (such as a bomb, shell, grenade, etc.) that did not explode when it was employed, and still poses a risk of detonation, some time afterwards (even decades after the battle in which it was used). An explosive ordnance that has been primed, fused, armed or otherwise prepared for use or used but did not detonate is an UXO. The UXO could have been fired, dropped, launched, or projected yet remains unexploded either through malfunction or design or for any other cause.  
         [0023]     “Deflagration” shall mean combustion that propagates through a gas or along the surface of an explosive at a rapid rate driven by the transfer of heat; a reaction (typically chemical) accompanied by a vigorous evolution of heat, flame or spattering of burning particles. Although deflagration is classed as an explosion, generally this term implies the burning (exothermic chemical reaction) of a substance with self-contained oxygen so that the reaction zone advances into the unreacted material at less than the velocity of sound in the material. During deflagration, heat is transferred from the reacted to the unreacted material by conduction, convection and radiation. Burning rates are usually less than about 2,000 m/s.  
         [0024]     “Detonation” shall mean an explosion; a violent release of energy caused by a reaction (such as chemical or nuclear); a reaction front (typically chemical) that moves through an explosive material at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in the material. During a detonation, energy is transmitted from the reacted to the unreacted material by a shock wave through the high-temperature and high-pressure gradients generated at the wave front. The reaction generally occurs on a sub-microsecond time scale. Detonation velocities typically lie in the approximate range of about 2,000 m/s to about 9,000 m/s.  
         [0025]     “Nano-Energetic Material,” “Metastable Intermolecular Composite” and “(MIC)” shall mean a special class of materials generally consisting a of metal and a metal oxidizer in which one of the components has at least one nanoscale (less than about 500 nm) dimension and the pair form a reduction-oxidation reaction when activated.  
         [0026]     “Binary Energetic Material” shall mean a special class of energetic materials in which the components are segregated. Generally, the components are mixed upon impact.  
         [0027]     “Powdered Thermite Material” shall mean a thermite pair of materials generally comprising a metal and a metal oxidizer that forms a reduction-oxidation reaction when activated. At least one of the components is a micron or sub-micron powder.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     In one embodiment, the current invention uses a new class of materials often referred to as Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MIC), nano-energetics or nano-thermites. A key interest in MIC lies in its ability to release energy in a controllable fashion, coupled with its high energy density and variable mass density. It has become the most studied subset of nano-energetics, primarily because of its unusual and interesting characteristics, which are listed below:  
         [0029]     Super high-temperatures˜6000° K  
         [0030]     Higher energy density than organic explosives˜2× 
         [0031]     Variable mass density˜3 to 14 g/cc.  
         [0032]     Tunable energy release rate˜4 orders of magnitude  
         [0033]     By-products are benign˜“green” applications  
         [0034]     MIC formulations generally consist of metal, such as nano-aluminum (i.e., aluminum having at least one nanoscale dimension), plus a suitable metal oxidizer, such as bismuth trioxide or iron oxide, such that a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction occurs between the components. Examples of the metal (or fuel) that can utilized in MIC formulations include: aluminum, magnesium, tantalum, zirconium, tungsten, haffium, beryllium and combinations thereof. Examples of oxidizers include: bismuth trioxide, tantalum pentoxide, iron (III) oxide, iron (II, III) oxide, tungsten(IV) oxide, tungsten(VI) oxide, lead oxide, copper oxide, silver oxide, molybdenum trioxide and combinations thereof. One advantage of these reaction components is the ability to create formulations with high densities, which are desirable for ballistics such as bullets and reactive fragments. For example, the following formulations have high densities compared to common explosive materials, which are typically in the 1-2 grams/cc range. 
 
2 Al+Bi 2 O 3 =7.188 g/cc Ta+5 WO 2 =13.52 g/cc 
 
         [0035]     Other thermite reactions are shown in the following table  
                                                                                                                         TABLE 1a                           Thermite Reactions (in Alphabetical Order)                adiahatic reaction   state               reactants   temperture (K)   of products   gas production   heat of reaction                ρ TMD ,   w/o phase   w/ phase   state of   state of   moles gas   g of gas   −Q,   −Q,       constituents   g/cm 3     changes   changes   oxide   metal   per 100 g   per g   cal/g   cal/cm 3                      3Al + 3AgO   6.085   7503   3253   l-g   gas   0.7519   0.8083   896.7   5457       2Al + 3Ag 2 O   6.386   4941   2436   liquid   l-g   0.4298   0.4636   504.8   3224       2Al + B 2 O 3     2.524   2621   2327   s-l   solid   0.0000   0.0000   780.7   1971       2Al + Bi 2 O 3     7.188   3995   3253   l-g   gas   0.4731   0.8941   506.1   3638       2Al + 3CoO   5.077   3392   3201   liquid   l-g   0.0430   0.0254   824.7   4187       8Al + 3Co 3 O 4     4.716   3938   3201   liquid   l-g   0.2196   0.1294   1012   4772       2Al + Cr 2 O 3     4.190   2789   2327   s-l   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   622.0   2606       2Al + 3CuO   5.109   5718   2843   liquid   l-g   0.5400   0.3431   974.1   4976       2Al + 3Cu 2 O   5.280   4132   2843   liquid   l-g   0.1221   0.0776   575.5   3039       2Al + Fe 2 O 3     4.175   4382   3135   liquid   l-g   0.1404   0.0784   945.4   3947       8Al + 3Fe 3 O 4     4.264   4057   3135   liquid   l-g   0.0549   0.0307   878.8   3747       2Al + 3HgO   8.986   7169   3253   l-g   gas   0.5598   0.9913   476.6   4282       10Al + 3I 2 O 5     4.119   8680   &gt;3253   gas   gas   0.6293   1.0000   1486   6122       4Al + 3MnO 2     4.014   4829   2918   liquid   gas   0.8136   0.4470   1159   4651       2Al + MoO 3     3.808   5574   3253   l-g   liquid   0.2425   0.2473   1124   4279       10Al + 3Nb 2 O 5     4.089   3240   2705   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   600.2   2454       2Al + 3NiO   5.214   3968   3187   liquid   l-g   0.0108   0.0063   822.3   4288       2Al + Ni 2 O 3     4.045   5031   3187   liquid   l-g   0.4650   0.2729   1292   5229       2Al + 3PbO   8.018   3968   2327   s-l   gas   0.4146   0.8591   337.4   2705       4Al + 3PbO 2     7.085   6937   3253   l-g   gas   0.5366   0.9296   731.9   5185       8Al + 3Pb 3 O 4     7.428   5427   3253   l-g   gas   0.4215   0.8466   478.1   3551       2Al + 3PdO   7.281   5022   3237   liquid   l-g   0.6577   0.6998   754.3   5493       4Al + 3SiO 2     2.668   2010   1889   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   513.3   1370       2Al + 3SnO   5.540   3558   2876   liquid   l-g   0.1070   0.1270   427.0   2366       4Al + 3SnO 2     5.356   5019   2876   liquid   l-g   0.2928   0.3476   686.8   3678       10Al + 3Ta 2 O 5     6.339   3055   2452   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   335.6   2128       4Al + 3TiO 2     3.590   1955   1752   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   365.1   1311       16Al + 3U 3 O 8     4.957   1406   1406   solid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   487.6   2417       10Al + 3V 2 O 5     3.107   3953   3273   l-g   liquid   0.0699   0.0356   1092   3394       4Al + 3WO 2     8.085   4176   3253   l-g   solid   0.0662   0.0675   500.6   4047       2Al + WO 3     5.458   5544   3253   l-g   liquid   0.1434   0.1463   696.4   3801       2B + Cr 2 O 3     4.590   977   917   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   182.0   835.3       2B + 3CuO   5.665   4748   2843   gas   l-g   0.4463   0.2430   738.1   4182       2B + Fe 2 O 3     4.661   2646   2065   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   590.1   2751       8B + 3Fe 3 O 4     4.644   2338   1903   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   530.1   2462       4B + 3MnO 2     4.394   3000   2133   l-g   liquid   0.3198   0.1715   773.1   3397       8B + 3Pb 3 O 4     8.223   4217   2019   liquid   l-g   0.4126   0.8550   326.9   2688       3Be + B 2 O 3     1.850   3278   2573   liquid   s-l   0.0000   0.0000   1639   3033       3Be + Cr 2 O 3     4.089   3107   2820   s-l   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   915.0   3741       Be + CuO   5.119   3761   2820   s-l   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   1221   6249       3Be + Fe 2 O 3     4.163   4244   3135   liquid   l-g   0.1029   0.0568   1281   5332       4Be + Fe 3 O 4     4.180   4482   3135   liquid   l-g   0.0336   0.0188   1175   4910       2Be + MnO 2     3.882   6078   2969   liquid   gas   0.9527   0.5234   1586   6158       2Be + PbO 2     7.296   8622   4123   l-g   gas   0.4665   0.8250   875.5   6387       4Be + Pb 3 O 4     7.610   5673   3559   liquid   gas   0.4157   0.8614   567.8   4322       2Be + SiO 2     2.410   2580   2482   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   936.0   2256       3Hf + 2B 2 O 3     6.125   2656   2575   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   296.5   1816       3Hf + 2Cr 2 O 3     7.971   2721   2572   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   302.3   2410       Hf + 2CuO   8.332   5974   2843   solid   l-g   0.3881   0.2466   567.6   4730       3Hf + 2Fe 2 O 3     7.955   5031   2843   solid   l-g   0.2117   0.1183   473.3   3765       2Hf + Fe 3 O 4     7.760   4802   2843   solid   l-g   0.1835   0.1025   450.4   3496       Hf + MnO 2     8.054   5644   3083   s-l   gas   0.3263   0.3131   534.6   4305       2Hf + Pb 3 O 4     9.775   9382   4410   liquid   gas   0.2877   0.5962   345.9   3381       Hf + SiO 2     6.224   2117   1828   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   203.3   1265       2La + 3AgO   6.827   8177   4173   liquid   gas   0.4619   0.4983   646.7   4416       2La + 3CuO   6.263   6007   2843   liquid   l-g   0.3737   0.2374   606.4   3798       2La + Fe 2 O 3     5.729   4590   3135   liquid   l-g   0.1234   0.0689   529.6   3034       2La + 3HgO   8.962   7140   &gt;4472   l-g   gas   .32-.43   0.65-1    392.0   3513       10La + 3I 2 O 5     5.501   9107   &gt;4472   gas   gas   0.3347   1.0000   849.2   4672       4La + 3MnO 2     5.740   5270   3120   liquid   gas   0.3674   0.2019   593.4   3406       2La + 3PO   8.207   4598   2609   liquid   gas   0.3166   0.6561   287.4   2359       4La + 3PbO 2     7.629   7065   &gt;4472   gas   gas   0.3927   1.0000   518.8   3958       8La + 3Pb 3 O 4     7.789   5628   4049   liquid   gas   0.2841   0.5886   378.6   2949       2La + 3PdO   7.769   5635   3237   liquid   l-g   0.2450   0.2606   536.2   4166       4La + 3WO 2     8.366   3826   3218   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   361.2   3022       2La + WO 3     6.572   5808   4367   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   445.8   2930       6Li + B 2 O 3     0.891   2254   1843   s-l   solid   0.0000   0.0000   1293   1152       6Li + Cr 2 O 3     1.807   2151   1843   s-l   solid   0.0000   0.0000   799.5   1445       6Li + CuO   2.432   4152   2843   liquid   l-g   0.2248   0.1428   1125   2736       6Li + Fe 2 O 3     1.863   3193   2510   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   1143   2130       8Li + Fe 3 O 4     0.517   3076   2412   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   1053   2036       4Li + MnO 2     1.656   3336   2334   liquid   l-g   0.4098   0.2251   1399   2317       6Li + MoO 3     1.688   4035   2873   l-g   solid   0.2155   0.0644   1342   2265       8Li + Pb 3 O 4     4.133   4186   2873   l-g   liquid   0.1655   0.0496   536.7   2218       4Li + SiO 2     1.177   1712   1687   solid   s-l   0.0000   0.0000   763.9   898.7       6Li + WO 3     2.478   3700   2873   l-g   solid   0.0113   0.0034   825.4   2046       3Mg + B 2 O 3     1.785   6389   3873   l-g   liquid   0.4981   0.2007   2134   1195       3Mg + Cr 2 O 3     3.164   3788   2945   solid   l-g   0.1023   0.0532   813.1   2573       Mg + CuO   3.934   6502   2843   solid   l-g   0.8186   0.5201   1102   4336       3Mg + Fe 2 O 3     3.224   4703   3135   liquid   l-g   0.2021   0.1129   1110   3579       4Mg + Fe 3 O 4     3.274   4446   3135   liquid   l-g   0.1369   0.0764   1033   3383       2Mg + MnO 2     2.996   5209   3271   liquid   gas   0.7378   0.4053   1322   3961       4Mg + Pb 3 O 4     5.965   5883   3873   l-g   gas   0.4216   0.8095   556.0   3316       2Mg + SiO 2     2.148   3401   2628   solid   l-g   0.9200     0-.26   789.6   1695       2Nd + 3AgO   7.244   7628   3602   liquid   gas   0.4544   0.4902   625.9   4534       2Nd + 3CuO   6.719   5921   2843   liquid   l-g   0.3699   0.2350   603.4   4054       2Nd + 3HgO   9.430   7020   &lt;5374   gas   gas   0.4263   1.0000   392.7   3703       10Nd + 3I 2 O 5     5.896   10067   &lt;7580   gas   gas   0.3273   1.0000   840.6   4956       4Nd + 3MnO 2     6.241   5194   3287   liquid   gas   0.3580   0.1967   589.9   3682       4Nd + 3PbO 2     8.148   6938   &lt;5284   gas   gas   0.3862   1.0000   517.8   4219       8Nd + 3Pb 3 O 4     8.218   5553   3958   liquid   gas   0.2803   0.5808   379.6   3120       2Nd + 3PdO   8.297   6197   3237   liquid   l-g   0.2394   0.2547   532.7   4420       4Nd + 3WO 2     9.016   4792   3778   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   362.9   3272       2Nd + WO 3     7.074   5438   4245   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   446.1   3156       2Ta + 5AgO   9.341   6110   2436   liquid   l-g   0.4229   0.4562   466.2   4355       2Ta + 5CuO   9.049   4044   2843   liquid   l-g   0.0776   0.0493   390.3   3532       6Ta + 5Fe 2 O 3     9.185   2383   2138   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   235.0   2558       2Ta + 5HgO   12.140   5285   &lt;4200   liquid   gas   0.3460   0.6942   263.3   3120       2Ta + I 2 O 5     7.615   8462   7240   gas   gas   0.2875   1.0000   648.6   4939       2Ta + 5PbO   10.640   2752   2019   solid   l-g   0.1475   0.3056   154.5   1644       4Ta + 5PbO 2     11.215   4935   3472   liquid   gas   0.2604   0.5397   338.6   3797       8Ta + 5Pb 3 O 4     10.510   3601   2019   solid   l-g   0.2990   0.6196   225.0   2365       2Ta + 5PdO   11.472   4344   3237   liquid   l-g   0.0575   0.0612   360.4   4135       4Ta + 5WO 2     13.515   2556   2196   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   145.1   1962       6Ta + 5WO 3     9.876   2883   2633   liquid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   206.2   2036       3Th + 2B 2 O 3     6.688   3959   3135   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   337.8   2259       3Th + 2Cr 2 O 3     8.300   4051   2945   solid   l-g   0.0590   0.0307   334.5   2776       TH + 2CuO   8.582   7743   2843   solid   l-g   0.4301   0.3421   558.7   4795       3Th + 2Fe 2 O 3     8.280   6287   3135   solid   l-g   0.2619   0.1463   477.9   3957       2Th + Fe 3 O 4     8.092   5912   3135   solid   l-g   0.2257   0.1261   458.5   3710       Th + MnO 2     8.391   7151   3910   liquid   gas   0.3135   0.1722   529.2   4440       Th + PbO 2     10.19   10612   4673   l-g   gas   0.2817   0.6231   482.8   4922       2Th + Pb 3 O 4     9.845   8532   4673   l-g   gas   0.2695   0.5633   360.5   3549       Th + SiO 2     6.732   3813   2628   solid   l-g     0-.34     0-.10   258.2   1738       3Ti + 2B 2 O 3     2.791   1498   1498   solid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   276.6   772.0       3Ti + 2Cr 2 O 3     4.959   1814   1814   solid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   296.2   1469       Ti + 2CuO   5.830   5569   2843   liquid   l-g   0.3242   0.2060   730.5   4259       3Ti + 2Fe 2 O 3     5.010   3358   2614   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   612.0   3066       Ti + Fe 3 O 4     4.974   3113   2334   liquid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   563.0   2800       Ti + MnO 2     4.826   3993   2334   liquid   l-g   0.3783   0.2078   752.7   3633       2Ti + Pb 3 O 4     8.087   5508   2498   liquid   gas   0.3839   0.7955   358.1   2896       Ti + SiO 2     3.241   715   715   solid   solid   0.0000   0.0000   75.0   243.1       2Y + 3CuO   5.404   7668   3124   liquid   l-g   0.7204   0.4577   926.7   5008       8Y + 3Fe 3 O 4     4.803   5791   3135   liquid   l-g   0.3812   0.2129   856.3   4113       10Y + 3I 2 O 5     4.638   12416   &gt;4573   gas   gas   0.4231   1.0000   1144   5308       4Y + 3MnO 2     4.690   7405   &lt;5731   gas   gas   0.8110   1.0000   1022   4792       2Y + MoO 3     4.567   8778   &gt;4572   gas   liquid   0.6215   1.0000   1005   4589       2Y + Ni 2 O 3     4.636   7614   3955   liquid   gas   0.5827   0.3420   1120   5194       4Y + 3PbO 2     6.875   9166   &gt;4572   gas   gas   0.4659   1.0000   751.0   5163       2Y + 3PdO   7.020   8097   3237   liquid   l-g   0.4183   0.4451   768.1   5371       4Y + 3SnO 2     5.604   7022   4573   l-g   gas   .37-.62   0.44-1     726.1   4068       10Y + 3Ta 2 O 5     6.316   5564   &gt;4572   l-g   liquid     0-0.23     0-0.51   469.7   2966       10Y + 3V 2 O 5     3.970   7243   &gt;3652   l-g   gas   0.2130   0.4181   972.5   3861       2Y + WO 3     5.677   8296   &gt;4572   gas   liquid   0.2441   0.5512   732.2   4157       3Zr + 2B 2 O 3     3.782   2730   2573   solid   s-l   0.2930   0.0317   437.4   1654       3Zr + 2Cr 2 O 3     5.713   2915   2650   solid   liquid   0.0000   0.0000   423.0   2417       Zr + 2CuO   6.400   6103   2843   solid   l-g   0.5553   0.3529   752.9   4818       3Zr + 2Fe 2 O 3     5.744   4626   3135   liquid   l-g   0.0820   0.0458   666.2   3827       2Zr + Fe 3 O 4     5.668   4103   3135   liquid   l-g   0.0277   0.0155   625.1   3543       Zr + MnO 2     5.647   5385   2983   s-l   gas   0.5613   0.3084   778.7   4398       2Zr + Pb 3 O 4     8.359   6595   3300   l-g   gas   0.3683   0.7440   408.1   3412       Zr + SiO 2     4.098   2233   1687   solid   s-l   0.0000   0.0000   299.7   1228                  
 
         [0036]     There are other aspects of MIC that make it uniquely suited for the neutralization of IEDs, UXOs and similar ordnance. When incorporated into a ballistic device such as a bullet, the high density gives the bullet a high ballistic coefficient, as described above, which assists in penetrating the casing of the IED, UXO or other explosive ordnance. The MIC material also reacts upon impact but does not detonate like traditional explosive materials. Instead, its energy release is via a fast and controllable exothermic reaction inside the explosive material of an IED. The energy that is released by the MIC is primarily heat, which means that the overpressure produced by its reaction is modest unlike conventional explosive materials. The reaction rate of the MIC can also be tailored such that it is comparable to the penetration time scale. This is important in that the energy is released inside the IED and not wasted outside the IED.  
         [0037]     Another aspect that is desirable about the MIC and is different than conventional explosive materials is its extremely high adiabatic combustion temperature, which is favorable for initiation and burning or deflagration of the explosive. These properties have been shown to be desirable for creating a self-propagating reaction front of the explosive within the IED resulting in neutralization. Lastly, it has been shown that only a small amount, e.g., a few grams, of MIC can provide a satisfactory thermal initiation to deflagrate a kilogram or more of explosives.  
         [0038]     In addition to nano-thermites, powdered thermite material can also be used. Compacted powdered thermites have been shown to react upon impact when incorporated into a projectile. They have a high-energy release but a slower reaction rate relative to the nano-thermites.  
         [0039]     In an embodiment of the method of the current invention, MIC material is placed within a ballistic projectile and launched at an IED. Upon impact with the IED, the thermite reaction is initiated and the ballistic projectile penetrates into the IED. The subsequent energy release of the nanoenergetic material causes the explosive material within the IED to burn or deflagrate such that the IED is neutralized with minimal external damage. In one example of the current invention, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , 3 grams of MIC material  103  was prepared using 80 nm aluminum (manufactured by NovaCentrix Corp (formerly named Nanotechnologies, Inc.), of Austin, Tex.) and micron bismuth trioxide (distributed by Skylighter, Inc., P.O. Box 480-W, Round Hill, Va. 20142-0480) in the ratio by weight of 15/85, respectively. The entire mix was pressed into a 1 cm diameter by 1 cm high aluminum shell  101  and capped with an aluminum disk  102 . The top half of the fill was an additional 3 grams of bismuth trioxide. The assembly was then placed in a split half, polycarbonate sphere  110 . The polycarbonate sphere  110  was required to fit the projectile to the inner diameter (ID) of a 25 mm gun. To simulate the neutralization of a typical IED, the projectile was launched by the 25 mm powder gun into an 81-mm mortar shell. The 800 grams of Comp B explosive material within the mortar rapidly deflagrated and the mortar case split in half. Hence, the mortar was neutralized with minimal damage.  
         [0040]     While the current embodiment of the invention used an aluminum cylindrical shell contained within a polycarbonate sphere to contain and launch the MIC, more traditional ballistic devices, such as bullets, can be used. Also, thermite pairs other than the aluminum and bismuth trioxide can be used and more specifically reaction combinations that produce low amounts of gas. Combinations, such as, but not limited to, aluminum and molybdenum trioxide, aluminum and iron oxide, tantalum and tungsten oxide are examples of other thermite pairs that can be used. Depending on the parameters of the IED, such as shell thickness and composition, it may be desirable to adjust the reaction rate of the MIC. The reaction rate can be controlled by varying the size of the particles as well as the ratio and type of constituents. While 80 nm Al was used in the example, other sizes can be used. Generally, particles less than about 10 micron (powdered thermites), more specifically less than about 1 micron and even more specifically less than about 500 nm (i.e., nanoscale dimension) can be used. Particles having at least one dimension of less than about 250 nm (and, in some embodiments, less than about 100 nm) may further be utilized. Furthermore, while the example used 80 nm metal with a micron-sized metal oxide, both components can be nanoscale. If a faster reaction rate is desired, generally using one component that has a nanoscale dimension will result in a reaction rate that is much faster than conventional powdered thermites.  
         [0041]     Another embodiment of the current invention uses binary MIC or binary powdered thermite in which the two components are physically segregated within the projectile.  FIG. 2  shows an example similar to the previous embodiment in which the MIC material components are segregated. In this alternative embodiment, the metal  203  and the metal oxide  204  are pressed in discrete layers within the aluminum shell  201 . The shell is then capped with an aluminum disk  202  and placed inside a polycarbonate sphere  210 . Upon impact with the IED or UXO, the difference in densities between the components will cause intimate mixing of the components and still cause the material to react. In the powdered form, MIC is very sensitive to electrostatic discharges and to friction, however, once it is inside the shell is it relatively insensitive. By physically segregating the components within the ballistic shell, some of the safety concerns during loading the MIC into the ballistic are mitigated. The segregation can be performed by layering the components or by using layered particles.  
         [0042]     Again, the materials and configuration shown in  FIG. 2  are for illustrative purposes and one skilled in the art will recognize that these components can be varied without departing from the current invention. For example, the binary energetic material may be comprised of two micron powders poorly mixed or it may be comprised of one component, which is a powder while the other component is a solid or liquid. An example would be aluminum foil and bismuth powder.  
         [0043]     Another embodiment of the current invention utilizes metals that combine to exothermically form intermetallic compounds such as borides, carbides, and aluminides of titanium, zirconium, and nickel. Additional intermetallic compounds such as AlPd, RuAl, TiNi, FeAl, TiB2 also exhibit an exothermic reaction when combined. Generally, intermetallic reactions release minimal gas during their formation. This is advantageous for this invention as the energy release is primarily thermal and may be less likely to detonate the explosive in the IED. Metals that form intermetallic compounds of the current invention usually react in accordance with the following equation 
 
 a X+ b Y+ cZ =X bc Y ac   Z   ab +ΔEnergy 
 
         [0044]     While the reaction equation shows three metals, it could only include two metals as well as three or more metals. For the current invention, the metals are preferably in powdered form with particles at least in the low micron range, more preferably in the submicron range, and most preferably in the nanoscale range. The particles can be loosely or densely compacted within the projectile. Additionally the particles may be segregated in order to reduce the sensitivity during normal handling.  
         [0045]     Another embodiment of the current invention uses only the oxidizer or one of the metals that exothermically forms an intermetallic compound such that it reacts with the projectile body or the IED casing. For example, bismuth trioxide can be contained within an aluminum projectile such that upon impact, the aluminum projectile body will react with the bismuth trioxide powder. Alternatively, the bismuth trioxide in the projectile, without an aluminum casing, can react with the steel casing of an IED and release energy to neutralize the IED. Another example uses nickel powder within an aluminum projectile body such that the AlNi intermetallic compounds are formed and the released energy neutralizes the IED.  
         [0046]     Another embodiment of the current invention discloses a novel method to neutralize IED&#39;s, UXO&#39;s and similar ordnance. In this embodiment a projectile containing an energetic material comprising of at least one of MIC, binary energetic material, powdered thermite, or metals that exothermically form intermetallic compounds, or one component of the various material pairs such that it reacts with the projectile body or IED casing is launched into an IED or similar ordnance. Upon impact, the energetic material is initiated without a separate initiating device and the projectile penetrates the IED such that the explosive material within the IED or similar ordnance is exposed to the energetic material. The energetic material reacts at a rate such that the majority of the reaction energy is dissipated within the IED and causes the explosive material to burn or deflagrate rendering the IED or similar ordnance neutralized.  
         [0047]     For the current embodiments,  FIG. 3  illustrates the physics that the applicants believe may be occurring during neutralization. IED casing  301  contains an explosive material  302 . In  FIG. 3 , the MIC bullet has penetrated the casing  301  producing an opening  310 . The MIC material  320  is shown in the center of the explosive material  302  and releasing energy  321  as depicted by the arrows emanating from the MIC material. Initially, the radius of the MIC material and the cavity are R 1 . At some later time, the explosive material has been burned away to form a cavity of diameter R 2  and while producing gas  315 , which exits opening  310 . The surface expansion of the cavity recedes at the deflagration rate. Moreover, the cavity pressure is relatively low, but the temperature inside the cavity is extremely high.  
         [0048]     In the invention, the energetic materials are driven to rapid reaction by impact with the IED. The reaction of the components results in extremely high temperatures, however, the reaction pressures are quite modest since the reaction products are typically hot solids and liquids with only small amounts of gas. This highly exothermic, low-gaseous output may be a critical factor in preventing deflagration to detonation transition. The low gas generation is important because if the pressure inside the IED increases rapidly, it can cause any explosive material to detonate. Likewise, the size of the penetration hole in the IED can impact the internal pressure. Generally, a larger hole or multiple holes are desired to allow more gas to escape quicker.  
         [0049]     Additionally, the high temperature more likely causes the explosive material to combust in a self-propagating manner. An advantage of the thermite formulations, and, more specifically the nano-thermite formulations, are that the reaction temperature is extremely high. Since the heat transfer to the explosive composition is by radiation, which is proportional to T 4 , the radiation heat transfer can be significantly higher that other conventional exothermic formulations.  
         [0050]     The unique combination of high reaction rates, high reaction temperatures, high density and low gas output provides benefits over the current state of art in IED and UXO neutralization. For example, the high density of the energetic material gives the projectile a high ballistic coefficient comparable to standard bullets. This allows the projectile of the current invention to be fired from conventional firearms from large standoff distances to provide superior protection to personnel. Also, the high ballistic coefficient of the projectile allows for good accuracy at long distances and the ability to penetrate a wide range of IED or UXO casing thicknesses.  
         [0051]     Because the energetic material reacts upon impact, the current invention requires only one package to both penetrate and neutralize the IED, UXO or other ordnance. Additionally, unlike other methods, it does not require a separate trigger device to activate the energetic material. Moreover, because of the high reaction temperatures, only a small amount of material is required to neutralize a large amount of explosive.  
         [0052]     While the current invention is intended primarily to neutralize IED&#39;s and UXO&#39;s, one skilled in the art would recognize that the system could also be used against conventional explosive devices, such as land mines, incoming mortars, ballistic missiles, rockets, artillery and other explosive projectiles or devices.  
         [0053]     The above descriptions have been made by way of preferred examples, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the methods and compositions disclosed in the examples merely represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments described and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5