Abstract: A small-caliber ammunition is disclosed. The small-caliber ammunition includes a casing and a frangible projectile located within the casing. The frangible projectile includes a metal inert capsule and a reactive material (RM) pellet embedded within the metal inert capsule. The top surface of the RM pellet flushes with the top surface of the metal inert capsule. The casing contains a smokeless propellant and a primer for igniting the smokeless propellant.

Abstract: An underwater firearm is disclosed. The underwater firearm includes a barrel for receiving an ammunition on a first end and a barrel cap for covering a second end of the barrel. The underwater firearm also includes a capsule having a firing pin and contains a reactive material. The reactive material can be ignited by an electrical ignitor in order to propel the firing pin to strike the ammunition. A housing is utilized to contain the capsule and the electrical ignitor.

Abstract: A shot shell is disclosed. The shot shell includes a casing, a projectile, a cushion wad having a sabot, a propellant, and a primer for igniting the propellant. The projectile, the cushion and the propellant are contained within the casing. The projectile includes a reactive material pellet that is partially covered by a taper-shaped inert capsule.

Abstract: A shot shell is disclosed. The shot shell includes a casing, a projectile, a cushion wad having a sabot, a propellant, and a primer for igniting the propellant. The projectile, the cushion and the propellant are contained within the casing. The projectile includes a reactive material pellet that is partially covered by a taper-shaped inert capsule.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the fields of ballistic and kinetic energy (KE) weapons. Specifically a novel apparatus and use of nanomaterials has been developed to make significant improvements over existing weapons. By incorporating nano-scale particles as a filler material for kinetic energy weapons several advancements are realized.

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.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the fields of ballistic and kinetic energy (KE) weapons. Specifically a novel apparatus and use of nanomaterials has been developed to make significant improvements over existing weapons. By incorporating nano-scale particles as a filler material for kinetic energy weapons several advancements are realized.

Abstract: A method of producing nanocrystalline ceramic powder by creating a plasma stream in a reactor vessel, and physically converting a ceramic precursor material into ceramic particles suspended in the vessel, using the plasma stream. A metallic reactant may additionally be introduced into the vessel using the plasma stream, wherein the metallic reactant forms ceramic particles having the same composition as the ceramic particles of the physical converting step. The plasma stream is created using an electrothermal gun. The gun may use a ceramic barrel which is eroded by the plasma stream. Alternatively (or additionally), the ceramic precursor material may be injected as particulates into the plasma stream, wherein the ceramic precursor particulates are micron-sized or larger. A novel electrothermal gun design may optionally use a replaceable insert constructed of the ceramic precursor material.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanosized powders utilizes a hybrid exploding wire device containing a solid metal wire fuse in the bore of a tube that is open at each end. The ends of the fuse are connected to electrodes on the ends of the tube. The electrodes are designed to erode to maintain a heavy metal plasma. The bore may comprise a corresponding ceramic to be produced, and a microcrystalline powder of a corresponding ceramic may be retained within the bore. An electrical discharge vaporizes and ionizes the fuse. The tube confines the radial expansion of the plasma such that the plasma exits from both ends of the tube where it reacts with a suitable gas to form nanoscale particles. In addition, the plasma gas ablates and vaporizes a portion of the bore wall to contribute to the nanoceramic synthesis. Other alternatives include replacing the fuse with a thin conductive sheath or a consumable metal insert.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanosized powders utilizes a hybrid exploding wire device containing a solid metal wire fuse in the bore of a tube that is open at each end. The ends of the fuse are connected to electrodes on the ends of the tube. The electrodes are designed to erode to maintain a heavy metal plasma. The bore may comprise a corresponding ceramic to be produced, and a microcrystalline powder of a corresponding ceramic may be retained within the bore. An electrical discharge vaporizes and ionizes the fuse. The tube confines the radial expansion of the plasma such that the plasma exits from both ends of the tube where it reacts with a suitable gas to form nanoscale particles. In addition, the plasma gas ablates and vaporizes a portion of the bore wall to contribute to the nanoceramic synthesis. Other alternatives include replacing the fuse with a thin conductive sheath or a consumable metal insert.

Abstract: A method of producing nanocrystalline ceramic powder by creating a plasma stream in a reactor vessel, and physically converting a ceramic precursor material into ceramic particles suspended in the vessel, using the plasma stream. A metallic reactant may additionally be introduced into the vessel using the plasma stream, wherein the metallic reactant forms ceramic particles having the same composition as the ceramic particles of the physical converting step. The plasma stream is created using an electrothermal gun. The gun may use a ceramic barrel which is eroded by the plasma stream. Alternatively (or additionally), the ceramic precursor material may be injected as particulates into the plasma stream, wherein the ceramic precursor particulates are micron-sized or larger. A novel electrothermal gun design may optionally use a replaceable insert constructed of the ceramic precursor material.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanosized powders utilizes a hybrid exploding wire device containing a solid metal wire fuse in the bore of a tube that is open at each end. The ends of the fuse are connected to electrodes on the ends of the tube. The electrodes are designed to erode to maintain a heavy metal plasma. The bore may comprise a corresponding ceramic to be produced, and a microcrystalline powder of a corresponding ceramic may be retained within the bore. An electrical discharge vaporizes and ionizes the fuse. The tube confines the radial expansion of the plasma such that the plasma exits from both ends of the tube where it reacts with a suitable gas to form nanoscale particles. In addition, the plasma gas ablates and vaporizes a portion of the bore wall to contribute to the nanoceramic synthesis. Other alternatives include replacing the fuse with a thin conductive sheath or a consumable metal insert.

Abstract: A method of producing nanocrystalline ceramic powder by creating a plasma stream in a reactor vessel, and physically converting a ceramic precursor material into ceramic particles suspended in the vessel, using the plasma stream. A metallic reactant may additionally be introduced into the vessel using the plasma stream, wherein the metallic reactant forms ceramic particles having the same composition as the ceramic particles of the physical converting step. The plasma stream is created using an electrothermal gun. The gun may use a ceramic barrel which is eroded by the plasma stream. Alternatively (or additionally), the ceramic precursor material may be injected as particulates into the plasma stream, wherein the ceramic precursor particulates are micron-sized or larger. A novel electrothermal gun design may optionally use a replaceable insert constructed of the ceramic precursor material.