The U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, Maryland working in conjunction with scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed what they’re describing as a "melt-cast" explosive material that could be a replacement for Trinitrotoluene (TNT). The Army has been seeking a low-toxicity alternative for TNT.
The full chemical name of the replacement chemical is bis (1,2,4-oxadiazole) bis(methylene)dinitrate. Although the name is complicated, essentially it provides the same melting point as TNT so it can be liquefied and cast for use in a variety of munitions. The key, however, is that the new material offers a lower explosive sensitivity and improved environmental properties without sacrificing the explosive energy that allows TNT to do its thing. After a number of iterations, the team was able to develop a 24-atom molecule that's packed with enough nitrogen to provide an output that’s 1.5 times greater than TNT.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists TNT as a possible carcinogen. Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to the material has been linked to blood disorders, such as anemia, as well as abnormal liver function. TNT was first constructed in 1863 by German chemist Julius Wilbrand. However, its full potential as an explosive wasn't discovered until 1891. TNT has been utilized in military applications since 1902.
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