Investigations and applications of detonation propagation in energetic materials

在可燃气体、固体炸药和高能液体中发生的爆炸在极端温度和压力下会产生非常复杂的行为。爆炸扫过这些反应物质（爆震波）的过程将在本课程中进行研究。虽然目前的理论可以提前精确地计算爆震波的速度，但这些波的动力学（它们如何启动，何时失效，它们如何响应几何形状的变化等）很难预测。本课程采用的方法是在实验室和基于计算机的模型中研究更简单的模型系统。所获得的见解可能允许对爆炸物进行更准确的安全评估。还将研究爆震波在航空航天推进中的应用，以及作为一种将弹丸发射到极高速度以供测试的手段。具体地说，将探索在高速发动机中使用稳定爆震波作为燃烧室的概念。此外，将尝试使用固体或液体爆炸来挤压管道，以驱动抛射物达到超高速度，这反过来可用于模拟实验室中轨道碎片对航天器结构的冲击。

Detonations in combustible gases, solid explosives, and energetic liquids give rise to very complicated behavior occurring at extreme temperatures and pressures. The process by which a detonation sweeps through these reactive materials (detonation waves) will be studied in this program. While the velocity of detonation waves can be accurately calculated in advance with current theories, the dynamics of these waves (how they initiate, when they fail, how they respond to changes in geometry, etc.) is difficult to predict. The approach taken in this program is to study simpler, model systems both in the lab and in computer-based models. The insight obtained may permit more accurate safety assessments of explosives. Detonation waves will also be examined for applications in aerospace propulsion and as a means to launch projectiles to very high velocities for testing purposes. Specifically, the concept of using a stabilized detonation wave in gas as the combustor for a high-speed engine will be explored. In addition, the use of solid or liquid detonations to pinch a tube shut in order to drive a projectile to ultrahigh velocities will be attempted, which could in turn be used to simulate orbital debris impact on spacecraft structures in the laboratory.