Nanoenergetic composite based on I2O5/Al for biological agent defeat

The risk of bioterrorism events involving the intentional airborne release of contagious agents has led to development of new approaches for bio agent defeat technologies both indoors and outdoors. The spore-forming bacteria, in particular Bacillus anthracis is one of the biologic agents most likely to be used as a bio-weapon. Novel approaches to defeat harmful biological agents have generated a strong demand for new active materials, including nanostructured high density energetic composites. This report describes nanoenergetic gas generators (NGG) system that exhibit long term stability and superior release of biocidal substances for destruction of spore forming bacteria. By using nano-thermite reactions, with energy release up to 25 kJ/cc, based on I2O5/Al nanoparticles we intend to generate high quantity of vaporized iodine for spatial deposition onto harmful bacteria for their destruction. The study has shown that I2O5/Al nanosystem is extremely effective to sterilize potentially harmful biological agents in seconds.