The 2 kg (4.4 lb) bomb generated a fireball exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees fahrenheit) for more than two seconds – 15 times longer than equivalent TNT explosions – without using nuclear materials, he said.
Developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) 705 Research Institute, a key player in underwater weapons systems, the device uses a solid magnesium-based hydrogen storage material.
When activated by conventional explosives, magnesium hydride has undergone rapid thermal decomposition, released gas hydrogen that has ignited in a sustained hell, researchers said in an article evaluated by peers published in the Chinese newspaper of projectiles, rockets, missiles and advice.
“The hydrogen gas explosions light up with a minimum of ignition energy, have a wide range of explosion and unleash the flames that run quickly while spreading widely,” said the team, led by CSSC researcher Wang Xuefeng.