Licensable Technologies : Security & Defense

Variable Impulse Explosive Device Using Microwave Energy and Microwave Sensitized Explosives

Abstract
Method and apparatus for delivering customizable energy release rates in explosives.  More specifically, the technology consists of variable impulse characteristics (i.e. variable peak pressure and pressure pulse duration).  Conventional explosive devices release energy at fixed pressures.

Application(s)
Commercial application:   oil and gas industry.  An advantage of this type of explosive would be tuning the energy release rate of the explosive for better impedance matching to the surrounding rock structure. This would very likely allow the user to have some control over the extent and depth of fragmentation of the surrounding rock.  This control would result in greater amounts of oil and gas being recovered per well.  Noncommercial application:  For use in thermobaric weapons (�smart bombs�) to destroy underground targets.  The bombs release in two explosions.  The first blast scatters solid-fuel particles throughout the underground target.  A delayed fuse ignites the explosive fuel.

Advantages
Ability to control fragmentation of material, therefore, increasing yield

IP Status: Available for Exclusive or Non-Exclusive Licensing

Reference Number: 303

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 102,360

Patents & Applications:
Application(s) Pending

Posted: 09-30-2004

Contact
Laura Barber
Technology Transfer Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.O. Box 1663, MailStop C334
(505) 667-9266
ljbb@lanl.gov