Abstract: The invention provides for a receptor, capable of binding to a target molecule, linked to a hygroscopic polymer or hydrogel; and the use of this receptor in a device for detecting the target molecule in a gaseous and/or liquid phase. The invention also provides for a method for detecting the presence of a target molecule in the gas phase using the device. In particular, the receptor can be a peptide capable of binding a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or 2,4,-dinitrotoluene (DNT).

Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least fuel particle having a particle size of about 1500 nm or less, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A stable extrudable non-azide crash bag propellant composition for generating high quality nitrogen gas and a low temperature process for producing the same from an extrudable mass containing an effective amount of a cellulose-based binder.

Abstract: In a low energy fuse, the reactive composition on the inner wall of the tubing is substantially free of a metal fuel or quasi metal fuel and comprises a particulate secondary high explosive and a gas generating non-explosive particulate solid selected from barium peroxide, barium nitrate, potassium permanganate, potassium chloride or sodium azide. The gas generating solid renders the fuse safer for use in an inflammable or incendive atmosphere such as a coal mine.

Abstract: This invention provides a solid explosive composition comprising a low-water content melt-in-fuel emulsion when prepared at elevated temperature which solidifies on cooling. The emulsion comprises a continuous phase containing water immiscible fuel and emulsifier and a discontinuous phase containing oxidizer salt. A particulate material effective as a nucleating agent is incorporated in the composition to reduce supercooling of the discontinuous phase and to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer salt.The particulate nucleating agent is preferably colloidal solid particles for example silica or an insoluble salt of aluminium, calcium or barium, which salt may optionally be formed in situ by a double decomposition reaction.The presence of the nucleating agent to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer enhances the proportion of discrete droplets which remain totally encapsulated in the solidified composition and enables solid products to be obtained from relatively low melting oxidizer salts melts.

Abstract: A gas-retaining agent consisting of bubble assemblies, each bubble assembly being one particle consisting of a large number of bubbles agglomerated into the particle, is effective for improving the safety of water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions against methane and coal dust, for improving the sympathetic detonability of the explosive compositions and for lowering their detonation velocity without deteriorating their strength.

Abstract: A gas-retaining agent having a particle size of 177-3,000 .mu.m is effective for improving the safety of water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions against methane and coal dust and for improving the sympathetic detonability of the explosive compositions without deteriorating their strength.

Abstract: A method for making a water-in-oil emulsion type explosive composition is disclosed. The method comprises combining a liquid carbonaceous fuel and an aqueous solution of at least one inorganic oxidizing salt, with agitation, in the presence of ingredients A and B and incorporating dispersed gas bubbles into the resulting emulsion. One of the ingredients A or B is added before or during agitation and the remaining ingredient is added during agitation. Ingredient A is oleic acid and/or linoleic acid. Ingredient B is an ammonium or alkali metal phosphate or carbonate.

Abstract: Emulsion explosive sensitive to a detonator, which can be initiated with a conventional detonator no. 8, of water-in-oil-emulsion type containing sensitizers which, as opposed to types known previously, here comprise aromatic nitro-compounds, in which emulsion the organic phase consists primarily of the aromatic nitro-compounds and the water phase consists primarily of a water solution of inorganic oxidizing salts and in which emulsion emulsifier is also included; detonation stabilizers in the form of particles with enclosed or adsorbed gas ("hot spots"); additional fuels such as aluminium, urea, etc.; optional stabilizers for the organic phase and for the water phase; and possibly an agent to lower the crystallization point.

Abstract: A slurry explosive composition comprising at least one inorganic oxidizing salt, an aqueous liquid phase, fuel material and a sensitizing agent which agent comprises a combination of hydrophobic particles of high explosive material and gas bubbles.

Abstract: Water-in-oil explosive compositions containing perchlorates and occluded air are provided which are detonable by a standard No. 8 blasting cap and which contain from about 14 to about 20 weight percent water, from about 3 to about 7 weight percent fuel, from about 56 to about 63 weight percent ammonium nitrate, from about 2 to about 12 weight percent of another inorganic nitrate, and from about 3 to about 12 weight percent of an inorganic perchlorate. The fuel material further comprises from about 0.5 to about 1.5% of a water-in-oil emulsifier, from 0 to about 1% oil, and at least 2% wax, based upon the weight of the emulsion.

Abstract: This invention relates to stabile blasting slurry systems useful particularly with the latest blasting slurry trucks, involving the preparation of particular new fuel liquids mixed with particular oxidizer liquids and including in most embodiments solid oxidizers and solid fuels.

Abstract: In preparing an explosive composition whose oxidizing components are a mixture of ammonium and calcium nitrate, the nitrate components are heated to temperatures where anhydrous double salts are formed together with some liquid phase. By subsequent cooling of the mixture under sustained mechanical agitation and the addition of a liquid fuel, a dry, free-flowing, cap sensitive particulate explosive composition is formed.