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Microconvective heating of granular explosives by a semiconductor bridge
The ignition of reactive powders by a semiconductor bridge (SCB) is analyzed by applying a multiphase flow model based upon the theory of mixtures. The hot plasma produced by the SCB permeates the cold granular explosive, deposits its latent heat upon fusing to the grains, therby heating the explosive granular surfaces to energy states required for self-sustained reaction. This mechanism is predicted to heat the granular explosive in a region local to the SCB to temperatures well above those required for thermal ignition. The analysis demonstates that this mechanism explains the prompt ignition of explosives using SCB's as opposed to the conductively controlled heating of conventional bridgewires. 16 refs., 14 figs., 1 tab.