Solid Ramjet Fuel Containing In-Situ Grown Aluminum Nanoparticles Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Topic No.: N141-011 Topic Title: Solid Ramjet Fuel Containing In-Situ Grown Aluminum Nanoparticles Proposal No.: N141-011-0931 Firm: Helicon Chemical Company LLC 12001 Avalon Lake Dr., #304 Orlando, Florida 32828 Contact: David Reid Phone: (321) 300-6266 Abstract: During the course of the proposed work Helicon will develop and demonstrate Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) high performance fuels based on proprietary in-situ grown aluminum nanoparticles. Currently available solid fuel grains do not yet meet the Navy's mission requirements for ramjet application. Fuels developed by Helicon have demonstrated high regression rates combined with high specific impulse as well as properties consistent with insensitive munitions. By generating the aluminum directly in the fuel binder, many drawbacks of traditional nano-powder additives are eliminated. To prove feasibility Helicon proposes to test various formulations and concentrations of its in-situ nanoparticles to determine which iteration is optimal when applied in a solid fuel ram jet. Upon determination of promising formulations, larger scale tests will commence to generate data to determine efficiency of use in ramjet engines. Aluminum particles gown in place within fuel binders have shown vast increases in performance over standard metal additives, permitting high performance applications not previously available. Benefits: Helicon's technology has applications throughout the government and across commercial, aerospace and orbital markets. With the inclusion of Helicon's proprietary nanoparticles monopropellants, bipropellants as well as solid, liquid or gelled fuels become more stable, higher performance and have fewer maintenance, safety and environmental concerns. Potential system applications include rocket and missile propellant, ramjet engines, spacecraft control and missile guidance engines, ejection seat charges, various jet fuel grades, RP-1 kerosene, hybrid rocket engines, and shaped charges for oil exploration. Return