Blasting Off with Nanocarbon: A Fresh Take on Aluminum-Rich Gel Propellants

You may have heard about the challenges of using gel propellants full of aluminum. Aluminum can stick together during combustion, making the burning process less efficient. Plus, it makes the gel thicker, which isn't great for spraying it evenly. To tackle these issues, scientists added tiny carbon particles, known as nanocarbon, to the mix. Tests showed that using just 10% nanocarbon made the gel explode with 21. 21% more energy. This not only boosted its power but also helped it burn more completely. The gel also became better at resisting disruptive forces during storage, thanks to nanocarbon. When it came to spraying the gel, nanocarbon made a big difference. It allowed the gel to thin out easily at high speeds, making it simpler to spread. This is like how syrup pours easily when you shake the bottle. By incorporating nanocarbon, scientists found a clever way to make gel propellants more effective and practical.