Licensable Technologies : Security & Defense

Lead-Free Electric Match Compositions

Abstract
An alternative to lead-containing compounds is nanoscale thermite materials (metastable intermolecular composites or MIC).  These superthermite materials previously developed at LANL can be formulated to be extremely sensitive to thermal stimuli.  LANL has formulated and developed working lead-free electric matches based on nanoscale Al/MoO3 mixtures.  These matches appear to be safer from impact and friction when compared to similar matches on the market.

Application(s)

• Used in pyrotechnics to initiate devices electrically rather than by burning fuses, which have the disadvantage of burning with a long delay.
• Electric matches can instantaneously fire a device at a user�s command and at a safe distance.

Advantages

• Safer to use
• Extremely sensitive to thermal stimuli

IP Status: Existing License Option for an Exclusive License

Reference Number: 481

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 104,831; 97,809

Patents & Applications:
Application(s) Pending

Posted: 10-05-2004

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