China's Breakthrough in Hydrogen-Based Explosive Technology
Key Ideas
  • Scientists in China successfully tested a hydrogen-based explosive device without nuclear materials.
  • The device uses magnesium hydride for hydrogen storage, allowing for controlled detonation and sustained burn.
  • The explosion created a fireball with temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius, outperforming TNT in duration and intensity.
  • The developers highlight the ability to precisely control the explosion's intensity for uniform damage over a wide area.
Scientists from China have made a significant breakthrough in explosive technology by successfully testing a device based on hydrogen, developed by the Scientific Research Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. This device utilizes magnesium hydride for hydrogen storage and does not rely on nuclear materials for detonation. During the test involving a two-kilogram bomb, the resulting explosion generated a fireball with temperatures surpassing 1000 degrees Celsius, lasting for more than two seconds. In comparison, an equivalent amount of TNT would have produced a fireball with significantly shorter duration and intensity. The creators of this hydrogen-based explosive highlight the capability to finely regulate the explosion's power, enabling precise targeting and uniform damage distribution across a wide area. This development showcases a novel application of hydrogen in explosive technology, emphasizing its potential in enhancing military capabilities and research in the field of explosives.
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