Explosive composite based on nanoparticles and DNA could be an energy source for embedded microsystems
Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 08:30
in Physics & Chemistry
A solid explosive with an energy density equivalent to that of nitroglycerine: this is the composite material produced by researchers at the Laboratoire d'Analyse et d'Architecture des Systemes (CNRS) in Toulouse, France, using an innovative production process that brings nanoparticles into contact with strands of DNA. These strands then "assemble" the various kinds of nanoparticles used. The released energy and ignition temperature of the new explosive are among the best ever described in the literature. The explosive could thus be used as an energy source to power embedded systems, both in space and in the environment. This innovative material is the subject of a paper published online in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.