Thermal Kinetics and Dynamics (TKD)

The Lab-scale Asynchronous Radiographic System (LARS) is a small-scale radiography device for continuous high-speed x-ray imaging of spontaneous dynamic events, such as explosions, reaction-front propagation, and material failure. C-PCS researchers and collaborators at CoRELabs developed this technology, which was recognized as a finalist for a 2015 R&D Magazine “R&D 100 Award.”

Our team is focused on understanding the behavior of secondary high explosives under abnormal stimuli such as fires

We have developed a novel suite of table-top x-ray radiography tools to enable direct observation of thermal explosions. The results of these studies are directly incorporated into our thermodynamically based models to provide a global chemical kinetic model for secondary high explosives.

A better understanding of explosive ignition

Scientists in the Weapons Chemistry and Chemical Physics team have created a "tabletop" dynamic radiography experiment.

The table-sized X-ray imaging apparatus enables X-ray imaging of sub-sonic dynamic events, such as thermal explosions, on a routine basis.

The small-scale aspect of both the experiment and the X-ray cinematography allows many more experiments to be performed. This approach provides a means to optimize experiments planned for larger radiographic facilities such as proton radiography.

The Thermal Kinetics and Dynamic team, led by Laura Smilowitz employs fast X-ray transmission and other diagnostics to visualize detonator firing and initiation in 9502 to understand the mechanism of action and improve explosive safety.

Laura Smilowitz was elected as both a Laboratory Fellow and a Fellow of the American association for Advancement of Science. She is an expert in the dynamic/thermal response of energetic materials and high-speed diagnostics, and is also an authority in experiments applied to key materials relevant to nuclear weapons, conventional defense and global security.