ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
THE DYNAMICS OF MECHANICAL ACTIVATION IN ENERGETIC MATERIALS
Abstract: Energetic materials (explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics; EMs) are important functional materials characterised by their ability to instantly release large amounts of energy when initiated. This material behaviour makes EMs essential in civilian and defence technologies, spanning mining and construction, transportation, entertainment, and weaponry. Despite nearly a century of research, there is currently no way to know a priori how much energy is needed to initiate a particular EM. Aiming to facilitate EM design and mitigate the associated safety risks, we have recently developed the first physics-based theoretical model that successfully predicts the relative initiation sensitivity for a broad range of organic EMs. Understanding and quantifying into which functional groups the kinetic energy from a mechanical stimulus localises is critical for identifying which vibrational modes drive EM initiation. Moreover, mapping the structure of the underlying nuclear potential energy surfaces is needed to correctly capture the energetic barriers associated with vibrationally-driven molecular dissociation. Ultimately, elucidating these phenomena will significantly improve our predictive model whilst also providing a new understanding of the chemical features needed to design the reactivity of EMs. VESUVIO offers a unique opportunity to probe both these aspects directly.
Principal Investigator: Dr Adam Michalchuk
Local Contact: Dr Matthew Krzystyniak
Experimenter: Mr Mateusz Mojsak
Experimenter: Miss Tahlia Palmer
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2310019
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2310019
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2310019-1 | VESUVIO | 26 February 2027 | Download |
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
Select the data format above to find
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Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Dr Adam Michalchuk et al; (2025): THE DYNAMICS OF MECHANICAL ACTIVATION IN ENERGETIC MATERIALS , STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2310019
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
