Researchers unveil physics behind explosive hotspots in conjunction with Lawrence Livermore National Lab
Molecular dynamics simulations predict that more potential energy is localized in hotspots than their kinetic energy (or temperature) would suggest. Excess potential energy is tied to persistent strained molecular states that are primed for chemical reactions and explain why hotspots react faster than the bulk. (Source: LLNL)
Research conducted by MSE graduate student, Brenden Hamilton, research associate, Dr. Chunyu Li, and Professor Alejandro Strachan, in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has revealed a missing aspect of the physics in predicting the shockwave-induced initiation of explosives. bit.ly/PE-Hotspot