Amorphous Explosives

Glassy amorphous organic energetics is a new field offering several novel areas for study. While practical application might be limited due to low density and propensity to crystallization of amorphous energetics, the scientific opportunities are fertile. For example, they allow an in depth view of crystallization in real time, even of novel systems such as cocrystals, and the in situ characterization of pores, cracks and other gross defects as they form. Amorphous energetic formulations with relatively low excipient (i.e. polymer used to inhibit crystallization) loadings offer a novel method of examining materials at extreme conditions. They can compared to their crystalline counterparts, and this could shed light on the processes of crystallization, shock induced phase transformations, and mechanically induced chemical reactions. While practical application will be limited for amorphous materials due to their low density, the scientific possibilities are quite exciting.