David G. Goodwin Memorial Lecture

The vast majority of combustion involves hydrocarbons. Metals are known to burn at very high temperature and with generally high heat content and can combust in water and carbon dioxide. These properties have led metals to be considered for many applications, though historically use has been limited to propellants and explosives, primarily due to challenges associated with high ignition temperatures, low burning rates, and solid product generation. The emergence of new technologies, including production of nanoscale and nanoengineered materials, mechanical alloying, mixed metal hydrides, and other developments, has generated new interest in metal combustion and opened up many avenues for research. In this talk, I'll review recent developments in metal combustion, including changes in the way combustion chemistry and transport are modeled for fine particle systems. I'll also discuss potential applications in transportation and energy that could emerge from expanded use of metal combustion.