Microscale techniques for investigating the chemistry and energy release of reactive materials

Microscale techniques for relatively inexpensive, high-throughput characterization of novel reactive materials using minimal quantities of sample are desirable. We have developed microscale techniques for evaluating the potential suitability of reactive materials in energetic formulations and increasing our fundamental understanding of the relationship between the structure and chemistry of reactive materials and their sensitivity or energy release behavior. To evaluate the influence of structural properties on the sensitivity of reactive materials, electrostatic discharge, impact, and friction tests with quantitative diagnostic measurements using an order of magnitude less material than military standard specifications have been developed. The laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (LASEM) method enables us to compare the energy release of milligrams of material on the microsecond and millisecond timescales via high-heating rate excitation with a nanosecond-pulsed laser. Finally, we report on recent efforts to develop a microscale technique for evaluating the impetus of novel materials.