University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Spectre Materials Sciences, Inc.

Columbia University

Edward Dein

Kevin Robert Coffey

Edward W Sheridan

Glenn D Boreman

Jonathan Mohler

Timothy Mohler

Dickson Hugus

Vu Huynh Lam

Guy Zummo

Wilson Caba

Bo Yao

Andrew Peter Warren

Daniel Yates

Prabhu Doss Mani

Sameer Ezzat

Katayun Barmak

Crystallographic orientations of ruthenium films and related methods are disclosed. Single crystal ruthenium films are provided with crystallographic orientations that arrange a c-axis of the ruthenium crystal structure in a direction that corresponds with a plane of the film or along a direction that corresponds with a surface of a substrate on which the film is formed. While ruthenium films typically form with the c-axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate or as a polycrystalline film with a random crystallographic orientation, substrate surfaces may be configured with a crystallographic surface net that promotes non-perpendicular c-axis orientations of ruthenium. The substrate may be formed with a metal-terminated surface in certain arrangements. In this regard, ruthenium films may be configured as metallic interconnects for devices where directions of lowest electrical resistivity within the crystal structure are arranged to correspond with the direction of current flow in the devices.

Crystallographic orientations of ruthenium films

A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. The layered thermite coating may include a primary ignition portion adjacent to the substrate, and a secondary ignition portion deposited on the primary ignition portion. The alternating thermite layers may be thinner within the primary ignition portion than in the secondary ignition portion. The primary ignition portion is structured for sensitivity to a firing pin strike to the opposite side of the substrate. The secondary ignition portion is structured to burn at a rate that will ignite smokeless powder or other ignitable substances used in munitions.

Primer for firearms and other munitions

An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. A gas producing layer is also provided to increase pressure.

Layered energetic material having multiple ignition points

A thermite composition includes at least one composite particle having a convoluted lamellar structure having alternating metal oxide layers including a metal oxide and metal layers including a metal capable of reducing the metal oxide. The metal oxide layers and metal layers both have an average thickness of between 10 nm and 1 &#x3bc;m. Molar proportions of the metal oxide and metal is within 30% of being stoichiometric for a thermite reaction.

Thermite compositions from low temperature impact milling

A resistor, fabricating method, and thermal sensor material for resistors that incorporate high Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) values and low resistivity for better sensitivity in infrared imaging applications are disclosed. Amorphous oxide thin films, preferably oxides of vanadium (VO), were deposited on thermally grown silicon dioxide by direct current (DC) magnetron co-sputtering of noble metals (gold and platinum) in a controlled argon/oxygen atmosphere. The ideal conditions for preparing an amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film are identified. TCR and resistivity results showed that the additions of gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) into VOreduced the resistivity. However, only gold (Au) was found to improve TCR value. Reducing the amount of oxygen in the thin film, further improved the ratio between TCR and resistivity. Infrared detection and imaging devices can be greatly improved with a 'drop-in' amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film of the present invention.

Nanocomposite semiconducting material with reduced resistivity

A method for forming a metastable intermolecular composite (MIC) includes providing a vacuum level of &#x3c;10torr base pressure in a deposition chamber. A first layer of a first material of a metal that is reactive with water vapor is deposited, followed by depositing a second layer of a second material of a metal oxide on the first layer. The first and second material are capable of an exothermic chemical reaction to form at least one product, and the first and second layer are in sufficiently close physical proximity so that upon initiation of the exothermic reaction the reaction develops into a self initiating chemical reaction. An interfacial region averaging &#x3c;1 nm thick is formed between the first layer and second layer from a reaction of the first material with water vapor. In one embodiment, the first material is Al and the second material is CuOx.

Methods for forming ignitable heterogeneous structures

A process for the preparation of composite thermite particles, and thermite particles and consolidated objects formed from a plurality of pressed composite particles. The process includes providing one or more metal oxides and one or more complementary metals capable of reducing the metal oxide, and milling the metal oxide and the metal at a temperature below &#x2212;50&#xb0; C., such as cryomilling, to form a convoluted lamellar structure. The average layer thickness is generally between 10 nm and 1 &#x3bc;m. The molar proportions of the metal oxide and metal are generally within 30% of being stoichiometric for a thermite reaction.

Thermite compositions, articles and low temperature impact milling processes for forming the same

A metastable intermolecular composite (MIC) and methods for forming the same includes a first material and a second material having an interfacial region therebetween. The first and second material are capable of an exothermic chemical reaction with one another to form at least one product and are in sufficiently close physical proximity to one another so that upon initiation the exothermic reaction develops into a self initiating reaction. At least one of said first and second materials include a metal that is reactive with water vapor at room temperature. The interfacial region averages &#x3c;2 nm thick, such as &#x3c;1 nm thick. In one embodiment, the first material is Al and the second material is CuOx.

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Saint Cloud, FL, United States of America

Edward Dein