Series
Energetic Materials Research
A first-principles journey through the thermal decomposition and combustion of RDX and HMX — from quantum mechanics calculations of initial reaction pathways to validated multiphase combustion models.
- 01What Happens in the First Microseconds: Using Quantum Mechanics to Map How RDX and HMX Begin to DecomposeBefore you can model or predict the combustion of an energetic material, you have to know what actually happens at the molecular level when it starts to break down. This is the story of using quantum mechanics calculations to answer that question for RDX and HMX — two of the most important explosives and propellant ingredients in use today.5 min#combustion#energetic-materials
- 02From Molecule to Flame: Building a Complete Combustion Model for HMXStarting from quantum mechanics calculations of individual bond-breaking events and ending with a model that correctly predicts burn rates across pressures — this is the story of assembling a first-principles combustion model for HMX, and what it took to make the pieces fit together.6 min#combustion#energetic-materials