LLNL researchers have developed a method to of crosslinking, polymerizing or otherwise covalently coupling a subset of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosive molecules and compositions.  Energetic materials manufactured using the novel method can be used ‘neat’ or as an energetic binder phase for another unmodified energetic compound.  The approach may also be employed to co-…

LLNL and its research partners have created miniature ion traps with submicron precision and complex geometries made using 3D printing for fast, high-fidelity and scalable quantum computations. A patent is pending on the technology, with claims covering embodiments for a vertical ion trap, horizontal ion traps and methods of forming the ion traps using advanced manufacturing techniques.

LLNL has developed a method that adds a polyamine based crosslinker and an acid receptor, based on MgO nanoparticles into a polymer bonded PBX, where the polymer binder is a fluoropolymer containing vinylidene difluoride functionality.  Crosslinking kinetics can then be controlled by selecting an appropriate amine structure, pressing temperature and optionally the addition of a chemical…

LLNL researchers uses Additive Manufacturing (AM) to create reinforcing scaffolds that can be integrated with High Explosives (HE) or solid rocket fuel with minimal volume fraction. Its main benefit is to create stability in harsh field conditions.  Its secondary benefit is providing another method to finely tune blast performance or fuel burn. Creating complex shapes with structural…

LLNL has developed a method of extending device lifetimes by imprinting into the device a shape that excludes specific vibrational modes, otherwise known as a phononic bandgap. Eliminating these modes prevents one of the primary energy loss pathways in these devices. LLNL’s new method enhances the coherence of superconducting circuits by introducing a phononic bandgap around the system’s…