2010 R&D 100 Winner
As opposed to primary explosives which are volatile and easily ignited, secondary explosives must resist accidental explosion, but also deliver the most explosive force. In 1981, a Russian scientist developed a chemical explosive, diaminoazoxyfurazan (DAAF), that he thought might yield high performance and supreme insensitivity. The material was promising, but the compression density was poor and the manufacturing process was unwieldy and hazardous.
A new synthesis method from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, N.M., has solved both problems. In the process to make DAAFox: Environmentally Friendly Secondary Explosive, the original ingredients, which include sulfuric acid, are replaced with OXONE, sodium bicarbonate, and water, all of which are non-toxic. The oxidation step that results from this combination of chemicals proceeds quickly (four hours) and produces DAAF without the impurities found in the original. The result is an explosive that is powerful, stable, and environmentally friendly.
Technology
Secondary explosive
Developers
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Development Team
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| David E. Chavez and Elizabeth G. Francois |
The DAAFox Environmentally-friendly Secondary Explosive Development Team from Los Alamos National Laboratory
David E. Chavez
Elizabeth Francois
