Different Approaches to Micro-/Nanofabricate and Pattern Energetic Materials

Abstract

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have played a tremendous role in stimulating the development of nanoenergetic materials with orders of magnitude increase in the interfacial area and intimacy of contacts of fuel and oxidizer. In the global world, research and development efforts are continuously being made at a very rapid rate to realize high energy density and super-reactive nanoenergetic materials. The reactivity and ignition sensitivity of nanoenergetic materials are significantly enhanced with nanoscaling of reactants (fuel and oxidizers) on the counterpart of microscale reactants. Nano-energetic materials can be easily integrated with the microsystems, which find many promising applications in micro-initiation, micro-ignition, micro-propulsion, micro-power generation, and pressure-mediated gene delivery/transfection. In this chapter, the various fabrication methodologies of nanoenergetic materials have been discussed and detailed with relevance to their energy density, combustion performance (ignition sensitivity, combustion velocity, and pressurization rate), and suitable integration. Further, the formulations and patterning of nanoenergetic materials on silicon substrate are also included as a future potential for micro-electro-mechanical systems energetic devices.