Chinese scientists claim that a single explosive event in a shock tunnel can convert hot gas into an extremely powerful Hypersonic generator.
Military lasers, rail guns, microwave weapons, and other types of weapons have never been seen as strong as they are now.
Innovative Method Unveiled for Powering Hypersonic Weapons
According to an article in the South China Morning Post, a recent peer-reviewed study published in the Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics has described a novel method for generating electricity to power hypersonic weapons.
The Chinese researchers were able to convert the energy from a controlled detonation inside a shock tunnel into an electrical current by transforming hot gas into a plasma filled with racing ions.
By utilizing shock waves to accelerate compressed argon gas to a speed 14 times greater than the speed of sound, the resulting ion-filled plasma was then directed through magnetohydrodynamics generators. This process generated an electric current of up to 212 kilowatts while using only 0.26 gallons of gas, providing a burst of energy unmatched by current compact systems.
Read more: Data Leak Lands Fertility App With $200,000 Penalty For Privacy Violation
Implications for Future Deployment
The scientists stated that the generator possesses significant capacity and efficiency, eliminating the need for intermediate energy storage components.
The energy can be directly transferred to the load without requiring a high-power switch, and the device can initiate quickly.
Moreover, the generator’s lack of rotating parts enhances both efficiency and ease of use.
Although the development of this new system presents promising advancements, the researchers acknowledge certain logistical challenges that must be addressed before its deployment.
These challenges include the transportation of a device reliant on controlled detonation and finding a solution for supplying gas for subsequent charges while in motion.
Nonetheless, if future iterations of this technology incorporate automated reloading, China’s hypersonic weapons would gain a tremendous boost in power, particularly as larger weapons in development require a gigawatt of input power.
The researchers claim that they can produce this level of power using only 177 cubic feet of hypersonic plasma, which is smaller than the majority of vans.
Read more: Starlink Launch By SpaceX At Cape Canaveral Hangs In The Balance Due To Inclement Weather
