In a revolutionary breakthrough, Chinese scientists have developed a non-nuclear explosive device that employs hydrogen fuel, creating a white-hot fireball lasting over two seconds. The new device, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), produces a 15-times-longer fireball than traditional TNT explosions, with temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius without employing any nuclear materials. The explosive was developed by the 705 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and employs a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage material.
Originally designed to provide gas to off-grid locations and power fuel cells for clean energy, the explosive’s discovery was published in a peer-reviewed journal article issued in the Chinese periodical “Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance.” The article reports that the silvery powder magnesium hydride from the device thermally breaks down rapidly upon being initiated by conventional explosives, releasing hydrogen gas that is turned into a sustained fireball.
The research team clarified that hydrogen gas explosions need low ignition energy, exhibit a broad range of explosions, and yield fires that travel in all directions with great rapidity. These features combined give very accurate control over blast power so that it can be uniformly delivered to destroy targets over vast areas.
Although the fireball of this new explosive will sustain for two seconds, that of a normal TNT explosion would remain for 0.12 seconds. The scientists have noted that the temperature it generates is such that it can melt aluminum alloys.
In controlled tests, the new device discharged 40% of TNT’s blast energy and had a greater thermal damage circle. The researchers have also looked at potential military applications, such as using the explosive to spread great amounts of heat across large areas or to focus its energy on valuable targets.
In spite of the euphoria surrounding this innovation, it is still not clear how the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) plans to incorporate this sophisticated explosive into its inventory.
