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Demystifying Explosives: Concepts in High Energy Materials explains the basic concepts of and the science behind the entire spectrum of high energy materials (HEMs) and gives a broad perspective about all types of HEMs and their interrelationships. Demystifying Explosives covers topics ranging from explosives, deflagration, detonation, and pyrotechnics to safety and security aspects of HEMS, looking at their aspects, particularly their inter-relatedness with respect to properties and performance. The book explains concepts related to the molecular structure of HEMs, their properties, performance parameters, detonation and shock waves including explosives and propellants. The theory-based title also deals with important (safety and security) and interesting (constructive applications) aspects connected with HEMs and is of fundamental use to students in their introduction to these materials and applications.

Explains the concept of high energy materials in simple language and down-to-earth examples
Worked examples and problems are given wherever required
Demystifies the concept of explosives
Limited use of big and complex equations
Questions and Suggested Reading are given at the end of each chapter

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1. In pursuit of energy and energetic materials 2. Energetics of Energetic Materials 3. Two faces of explosion: Deflagration and Detonation 4. HEMs - The facets of explosive performance 5. The propulsive facet of HEMs - I (Gun Propellants) 6. The propulsive facet of HEMs - II (Rocket Propellants) 7. HEMs in pyrotechnics 8. HEMs: Concerns of safety 9. HEMs: Concerns of Security 10. HEMs: Characterization and Evaluation 11. HEMs: Trends and Challenges 12. HEMs: Constructive applications

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Venugopalan, Sethuramasharma
S. Venugopalan did his post-graduation in chemistry from St. Joseph´s College, Tiruchirapalli, India in 1971. After working as a lecturer in chemistry in various colleges for 5 years, he served as a Quality Assurance officer attached to an ordnance factory manufacturing varieties of high explosives and propellants for small arms, guns and rockets for about 7 years. In 1983, he joined High Energy Materials Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune as a scientist and worked in the area of composite rocket propellants and synthesis of energetic oxidizers and polymeric binders. He was also heading the Safety Engineering Division of HEMRL for about 6 years. He has over 32 years of experience with exposure to different types of High Energy Materials (HEMs) in the diverse areas of production, quality assurance and Research and development.

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