Photo Reactive Gas Generator and Lethality Enhancer

Abstract

This paper investigates a possible method for switch-able photo initiators that would lead to a low cost and low power solution to control problems associated with pressurization of gel fuel systems through current gas generators. The main component of the generator Polyoxymethylene (POM) is a widely produced polymer that breaks down to the monomer formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a precursor component to explosives that can be formed using catalytic chemical and photochemical reactions. The resulting photo initiated gas generator would lend itself well to in vivo or in time of flight production of energetic material. EL propulsion systems are fueled with a viscous, semi-solid propellant combining the best characteristics of solid and liquid propellants. The gel system stores like solid rocket propellant but flows like a liquid when pressurized, this enables throttle and restart capability. To optimize the gel propulsion system, switch-able control of the gel pressure gas generation system is needed to enable variable and multiple engine shut off and restart times. This allows controllable coast periods to provide flexibility in ranges, and to achieve long range while retaining optimal closed-end performance. Current systems only offer segmented control of the gas generator and the gases produced are by products of explosive materials that expended in the generation process. By utilizing photo acid generators (PAGs) that are suspended in polymer materials it is possible to formulate a gel containing chemicals necessary to create a robust gas reaction when the photo acid is present. The photo initiated chemical reaction produces gas from two reactions. The UV photo-degradation and the acid catalyzed degradation of the polymer. This process can be further enhanced by the design of the polymer link structure and chemical amplification. The degradation occurs and continues both in the presence of the acid and UV irradiation. The acid only occurs in the presence of UV Irradiation, therefore the control of UV irradiation is an effective chemical reaction control mechanism or switch.