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Jennie Lane

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Chemical Synthesis

Chemical Synthesis 150 150 PacSci EMC

PREPARATION & TESTING OF NEW OR CUSTOMIZED ENERGETIC MATERIALS

Whether you need to replace a legacy energetic material (EM) that is no longer commercially available or have an application requiring new or modified chemicals with enhanced properties, we can help. Learn more in this new EM synthesis and evaluation capability brief.

Energetic materials (EMs) have long been utilized for a variety of military, aerospace, commercial and oil and gas applications. While legacy materials deliver specific and established properties, there are circumstances and applications that demand new or customized EMs.

Whether you need to replace a legacy material that is no longer commercially available or have an application requiring new or modified EMs with enhanced properties— spanning reliability, sensitivity, stability, compatibility, output and safety—Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) can help. With a long history of EM synthesis and evaluation, chemists and chemical engineers on staff and dedicated testing and production facilities, we can help you with a range of EM needs.

We can design and test new EMs with properties tailored to your exact requirements. We can provide custom synthesis of novel primary and secondary EMs, pyrotechnics and specialty chemicals that may not be commercially available. We can help you identify and evaluate the right EM for your specific application. And we can do it quickly.

Our fully equipped analytical laboratory is used to test the chemical, physical and safety characteristics of EMs and components found in nearly every type of hardware. And scale-up of specialty materials is performed in our powder production facility utilizing custom designed, remotely operated chemical reactors.

When safety and success must be assured, contact PacSci EMC. We can synthesize, test and deliver EMs that meet your reliability, functionality and mission criteria. Every time.

When safety and success must be assured, contact PacSci EMC. We can synthesize, test and deliver EMs that meet your reliability, functionality and mission criteria. Every time.

One source for chemical synthesis, testing and production

PacSci EMC’s chemical, powder processing and engineering labs provide full service, single source facilities for a variety of analyses on hardware and both energetic and inert materials:

  • Molecular analyses
  • Thermal analyses
  • Chromatography/purification
  • Physical properties (particle size, surface area, etc.)
  • Safety properties (BAM friction, impact, ESD, etc.)
  • Output testing
  • Failure analyses
  • Waste stream and disposal analysis
  • Optical analysis
  • Measurement and 3D rendering

Our scientists and engineers have experience with a variety of EM-related test protocols:

  • Aging and qualification testing
  • Compatibility testing
  • Mil spec/ASTM testing
  • Environmental testing

PacSci EMC can respond to requests for specialty EMs and/or EM evaluation in an expedient manner.

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Pyrotechnics: A Safe & Reliable Option

Pyrotechnics: A Safe & Reliable Option 500 65 PacSci EMC

Many equate pyrotechnics with large, loosely controlled explosions, leading to safety and reliability concerns. But contemporary pyrotechnic devices are exceedingly safe and dependable, delivering benefits that electrical, mechanical and cold gas solutions can’t match.

Many equate pyrotechnics with large, loosely controlled explosions, leading to safety and reliability concerns. But contemporary pyrotechnic devices are exceedingly safe and dependable, delivering benefits that electrical, mechanical and cold gas solutions can’t match.

In fact, countless emergency, safety and mission-critical systems rely on pyrotechnics to function as expected, when expected. Modern automobiles, for example, use pyrotechnics to initiate emergency air bags and seatbelt tensioners. Aircraft utilize pyrotechnics as a key component of their fire extinguishing and seat ejection systems. Pyrotechnics are even used to release parachutes and cut helicopter cables when lives are at risk.

In all of these cases, the pyrotechnics are not unwieldy and destructive blasts. They are small, sophisticated devices that deliver fast, controlled bursts of chemical energy with 99.999 percent reliability.

Compared to electrical solenoids and valves, mechanical devices and cold gas systems, pyrotechnics are faster to initiate and can produce more energy. They are typically smaller and lighter, down to the size and weight of a couple coins. They are often less complex and more reliable. And in many cases, they can be stored for long periods of time—25 years or more—and still function exactly as intended.

Electrical, mechanical or cold gas devices will be the best choice for applications requiring repetitive operation. For everything else—especially safety, emergency and mission-critical applications—pyrotechnic devices and solutions should be a prime consideration.

Common Applications

  • Initiation
  • Detonation
  • Release
  • Severance
  • Fracture
  • Cutting
  • Jettison
  • Switching
  • Time Delay
  • Actuation

PacSci EMC: The Pyrotechnics Experts

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) is the global leader in energetic materials, components and subsystems. In addition to decades of pyrotechnics expertise and comprehensive design, development and production capabilities, we offer a variety of prefabricated pyrotechnic products that can be customized to meet your specific requirements. From deep sea to deep space, our materials, devices and solutions always work as expected, when expected.

When Milliseconds Matter™

Regulatory Oversight

As pyrotechnic devices have become more widely accepted and utilized, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) have adjusted the requirements surrounding the transportation, handling and storage of these devices.

PacSci EMC has a deep knowledge of DOT and BATF regulations and a wealth of experience developing pyrotechnic solutions that meet both customer and government requirements.

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Buy, Customize or Create

Buy, Customize or Create 150 150 PacSci EMC

CONSIDERATIONS FOR UNIQUE SITUATIONS

Unique product requirements and application needs present a number of options. See how we can provide technical guidance and help you choose the best course of action in this new capability brief.

When you have a unique product requirement or application need, or when your current solution is no longer viable—for supply, performance, reliability or other reasons— three options are at your disposal:

1. Purchase an existing product
2. Customize or modify an existing product
3. Create a new product from scratch

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) can be your technical partner that helps you evaluate all three options and determine a course of action that will best meet your specific needs.

This often starts with a phone conversation with our application engineers about your objectives, requirements and specifications. Our engineers can offer technical guidance and will examine our extensive portfolio of products, devices and materials to determine possible solutions. This typically leads to additional discussions of available options, tradeoffs and timelines. Once a course of action has been determined, we can move quickly to customize, create and/or test a product for your application.

All of our work is based on your unique needs and specifications, and our technical staff is available to explain the considerations and help you make the best decision for your particular requirements.

Once a course of action has been determined, we can move quickly to customize, create and/or test a product for your application.

Cases in point

  • Creating a new design, modifying existing hardware

An oil and gas company was experiencing problems during oil well production and needed a new device that could deliver a significant amount of energy in a short amount of time—while fitting within an existing assembly design. Speed of delivery was critical, and lead time is typically 20 weeks for new product concepts and application designs. Pacific Scientific deployed a cross-functional team that was able to create a concept design, modify existing hardware and build, test and deliver the prototype in four short weeks.

  • Finding and testing an off-the-shelf solution

An aerospace and defense organization needed an explosive bolt that could survive a variety of challenging environments. We worked closely with the project team to understand the technical requirements and then identified an off-the-shelf explosive bolt that could potentially perform as needed. However, the bolt had not been previously tested for the specific environments required by the application. Our team recommended—and is conducting—additional qualification testing, which will invariably be much faster and more cost effective than creating a new explosive bolt from scratch.

Different approaches, different benefits

  • Customize / Create
  1. Meet specification exactly, without compromise
  2. Utilize the latest technologies, materials and techniques
  3. Increase competitive advantage
  • Buy
  1. Faster time to market
  2. Lower cost
  3. Manufacturing scalability

About PacSci EMC

For nearly a century, PacSci EMC has made critical missions possible. Our energetic materials, devices and subsystems have helped put astronauts, satellites and payloads in space. They have protected countless military and law enforcement personnel. They have enabled missiles and munitions to hit their targets. They have reduced the environmental impact of oil and gas drilling. And they have safeguarded commercial aircraft and their passengers. From concept to demonstration to delivery, our engineers work closely with customers to solve the toughest challenges and meet the most exacting requirements. And our explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics are always safe, always reliable, always effective.

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System Reliability

System Reliability 500 65 PacSci EMC

Safety & Success Must be Assured

PacSci EMC uses a variety of methods to calculate system reliability, including trade studies, mathematical modeling, in-depth analyses and rigorous testing.

Reliability is always desired, but it becomes essential when safety and mission success are at stake. System failures can have a direct and negative impact on time, budgets and reputations. They can also cost human lives.

Redundant, backup systems are often used to reduce the probability of failures. But they are not always viable, as certain systems cannot accommodate the additional space and weight of redundant components. In these cases, reliability must be built into the system.

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) is an expert with systems reliability, safety and quality. An integral contributor to countless space, defense, aircraft and oil and gas programs, our long history of success is largely built on the reliability and safety of the solutions we create, customize and deliver.

We bring a scientific approach to every project, calculating system reliability through trade studies, mathematical modeling, in-depth analyses and rigorous testing. Our application engineers can identify solution possibilities, weigh them against a number of variables— including mission criticality, space, weight and cost—and calculate reliability scores for each. Many of our materials, devices and solutions deliver 99.999 percent reliability or better.

When safety and success must be assured, contact PacSci EMC. We can customize or create a solution that meets your reliability, safety, functionality and mission criteria. Every time.

When safety and success must be assured, contact PacSci EMC. We can customize or create a solution that meets your reliability, safety, functionality and mission criteria. Every time.

Calculating Reliability

We uses a variety of methods to calculate system reliability, including trade studies, mathematical modeling, in-depth analyses and rigorous testing.

A trade study is often the first step, with systematic analysis of the relationships between factors such as mission criticality, space, weight and cost in the context of a particular application. These factors form the elements of the trade study matrix and are weighted based on the system application. The trade study then assigns various potential design solutions a score based on how well they satisfy all the factors.

Our engineers can also conduct in-depth Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), which takes the investigation assessment down into individual components that make up the subassemblies, assemblies, components and overall system reliability.

The Trade Study Matrix

Trade studies are used to evaluate and compare potential concepts or systems for a particular application. The matrix below shows three concepts that will meet the customer’s reliability requirements. To select the best option, the concepts are scored against five key parameters. Each parameter has a weight, or importance, factor that was determined prior to the evaluation. The concepts are quantitatively evaluated by multiplying the weight factor by the score and then summing each parameter. The system with the highest score wins the trade study. In this example, System A is the clear winner.

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9 Reasons Why

9 Reasons Why 500 65 PacSci EMC

Top Reasons to Choose PacSci EMC

Why should you choose PacSci EMC for your critical missions and energetic needs?

Long history of mission success

For over half a century, Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) has made critical missions possible. Our energetic materials, devices and subsystems have helped put astronauts, satellites and payloads in space. They have protected countless military and law enforcement personnel. They have enabled missiles to hit their targets. They have reduced the environmental impact of oil and gas drilling. And they have safeguarded commercial aircraft and their passengers.

Unwavering commitment to safety and reliability

Safety and reliability are always our highest priorities. We bring a scientific approach to every project, calculating system reliability through trade studies, mathematical modeling, in-depth analyses and rigorous testing. Our application engineers can identify solution possibilities, weigh them against a number of variables—including mission criticality, space, weight and cost—and calculate reliability scores for each. Many of our materials, devices and subsystems deliver 99.999 percent reliability or better.

Ability to solve unique and challenging problems

Our engineers and program managers relish a challenge, and will work closely with you to solve the toughest problems and meet the most exacting requirements. As a scientific company, we enjoy trying new things through experimentation and testing, often applying existing chemical compounds and energetic devices in new and innovative ways. And we take pride in developing unique and effective solutions for the most complex challenges.

In-house engineering and technical expertise

We bring a range and depth of technical and scientific know-how to every project. With on-staff application engineers, design engineers, modeling and analysis specialists, chemists, and test engineers, you have a wealth of expertise at your disposal. All of our work is based on your unique needs and specifications, and our engineers are available to explain options, considerations and trade-offs, helping you make the best decision for your particular requirements.

End-to-end development capabilities

We can work closely with your team from concept to demonstration to delivery. This includes design, modeling, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, packaging and ongoing technical support. Having a trusted, capable partner directly involved from the beginning of a project to the end helps ensure the resulting product or solution will meet your exact needs and often reduces the time and cost of delivery.

Ability to innovate quickly

When you have a deadline and need a new energetic material, device or solution quickly, we have the design, development and test capabilities for the job. With dedicated engineers, planners, focus factory managers, procurement specialists and program managers—as well as an accelerated design and development methodology—we can turn your concept into a reality in a matter of weeks.

In-house test capabilities

Testing is one of our specialties. Using our advanced test capabilities, we can thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of possible designs against a variety of environmental factors, including vibration, shock, temperature, humidity, altitude, electrostatic discharge, stray voltage, electrical circuit integrity and pressure. Our facilities also include an energetics output test lab, engineering lab, model and machine shop, clean rooms and certified x-ray and metrology labs.

Collaborative approach

Our program managers, engineers and planners work closely with your team to outline requirements, develop a design and perform a variety of modeling and analyses. They maintain constant communication with your team during the development process, and provide ongoing technical support after your solution is delivered.

Trust

When human lives and mission success are at stake, you need confidence that every device, every component and every subsystem will work exactly as expected. Many of the world’s leading companies and institutions—including the U.S. Federal Government, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Halliburton, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Airbus, Schlumberger and Google—have trusted Pacific Scientific for their mission-critical needs. Why? Because our materials, devices and solutions are always safe, always reliable and always effective.

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