Cancel

gear Push settings

bars

homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Explosives scientists answer questions in online interview

Los Alamos is always blowing stuff up. The Lab burst into the public consciousness 70 years ago with the biggest explosion known to humanity—the world’s first atomic bomb. Since then, Los Alamos has continued to lead the nation in explosives science and engineering. Now, some of the researchers working there went to answer questions on […]

Mihai Andrei
March 22, 2016 @ 9:49 am

share Share

Los Alamos is always blowing stuff up. The Lab burst into the public consciousness 70 years ago with the biggest explosion known to humanity—the world’s first atomic bomb. Since then, Los Alamos has continued to lead the nation in explosives science and engineering. Now, some of the researchers working there went to answer questions on Reddit. Here are some of the most interesting ones:

What’s the biggest boom you’ve ever seen/created?

The largest “shot” that I’ve seen was on a tour of an open pit copper mine, when I was an undergraduate student taking explosives engineering. It was 60,000 lb of an ammonium nitrate based explosive. It certainly was earth-shattering, but not the loudest that I’ve heard, as it was timed to not fire all at once and it was deep underground. Being inside a bunker very close to an open-air, yet smaller shot is more impressive.

Is there a “holy grail” of explosives?

The explosives community and National Laboratories have always sought safer explosives that are higher “performing.” By that, we refer to explosives that have high detonation velocities, detonation pressures, and temporal energy release matched to the application (weapons, mining, etc.). Novel concepts to provide higher performance is an active area of research.

My question is, do you have any moral or ethical qualms about the nature of your work? I imagine that most of the end goal for explosives research is for military applications: portable explosives, bombs, other ordnance. Does any of that ever give you any pause?

Actually, much of our explosives research is based on explosives detection and defeat, or finding ways to make explosives safer to handle. These are the projects that I am most proud of working on.

Many people associate explosives with weapons. While a lot of the work at LANL is weapons related, what are your favorite examples of explosives being used for non-weapons related applications? i.e. pyrotechnics, propellants, tools for scientific understanding.

The vast majority of explosives are used by the mining industry, millions of pounds per year. Other interesting examples included the use of explosives to stimulate oil wells to be more productive, the use of explosives for welding, bolt cutting, pilot ejections mechanisms, etc.

Hi, single dad here – How can I get my daughter (13) more interested in science / chemistry / physics? What was it that interested you (ladies) to get involved with science(s)?

Expose her to science through lab or industry tours, university programs or other middle/high school programs, and great role models. As she gets older, encourage her to get involved in class or individual science research projects. It is usually the small interactions or experiences that make a difference. I personally loved the problem solving aspects of science, and learning something new by research that could benefit our world (such as solar/energy research, new materials research, etc.).

What is your favourite explosive?

Nitromethane of course.

share Share

Earth’s Longest Volcanic Ridge May Be an Underwater Moving Hotspot

Scientists uncover surprising evidence that the Kerguelen hotspot, responsible for the 5,000-kilometer-long Ninetyeast Ridge, exhibited significant motion.

The flower from King Tut's tomb is flooding the internet but scientists say it's fake (thanks, reddit!)

The Egyptian blue lotus sold online isn't what you think. The real story behind this mythical plant is much more interesting though.

Microlightning in Water Droplets Could Have Sparked Life on Earth

New research suggests tiny electrical charges in water droplets could have fueled the chemical reactions that led to life.

Scientists Grow Diamonds at Atmospheric Pressure in Liquid Metal and It's a Game Changer

Synthetic diamonds aren't just for the deep Earth or mega high-pressure lab anymore.

What Do Ancient Egyptian Mummies Smell Like? "Woody", "Spicy" and Even "Sweet"

Scientists used an 'electronic nose' (and good old biological sniffers) to reveal the scents of ancient mummies.

Scientists Create a Material as Strong as Steel but Light as Styrofoam Using AI

Researchers create ultra-strong, lightweight carbon structures using AI and advanced manufacturing.

Scientists Crack the Secret to the Perfect Boiled Egg -- and It's Not What You Think

I mean, do you even have a mathematical model for your egg-boiling?

Self-healing Asphalt Could Prevent Potholes and Save Costs on Vehicle Repairs

Self-healing asphalt could save money, reduce emissions, and end the pothole plague.

This Futuristic Shape-Shifting 'Chainmail' Can Morph Between a Solid and a Liquid — and It’s Unlike Anything Ever Made

This chanmail-like material can morph and adapt like fluids or solids.

5 Everyday Products That Contain Hidden Lead—Are You at Risk?

Lead has made its way to not just your food but also to your lipstick and protein powder. Here's what we know.