Conventional energy materials
Energetic nanomaterials: perspectives of integration into microsystems

Energetic materials are substances whose decomposition is highly exothermic. Conventional" materials fall into 2 categories:

• explosives ;

• propellants and other pyrotechnic substances.

• Explosives release – if the conditions are right – their energy in a very short time (μs) thanks to a very rapid chemical reaction known as "detonation".

  Decomposition generates a large volume of gas, a high temperature and a sudden rise in pressure.

• Propellants release their energy by deflagration. The combustion of propellants releases a very large quantity of gas at high temperature, making them particularly interesting for propulsion and actuation.

Since the invention of black powder 1,000 years ago, the technology for manufacturing conventional energetic materials...