Vapor-phase decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a sarin surrogate,in presence of metal oxides

Chemical warfare agents (CWA) are stockpiled in large quantities across the globe. Agents stored in inaccessible facilities need to be destroyed rapidly without dispersing the compounds to surrounding areas. Metal-based energetic formulations are used in such prompt defeat applications to rapidly decompose the CWA by generating a high temperature environment. An alternate, and possibly a more effective decomposition pathway could be provided by chemicidal action of aerosolized condensed combustion products, which typically consist of metal oxides. Toxic fumes that escape the high tem-perature blast zone can be neutralized by smoke generated during combustion, depending on the par-ticle size, surface characteristics, chemical properties, and concentration of this smoke. This review considers relevant experimental and modeling studies quantifying decomposition of CWA comprising organophosphorus compounds and their surrogates on the surface of various metal oxides. Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a sarine surrogate, was used most commonly for such experiments. Many reported efforts focused on the mechanisms of adsorption of DMMP to various metal oxides and initial reaction steps cleaving various bonds from the chemisorbed molecules. For selected oxides, these ex-periments were supported by quantum-mechanical calculations. In other studies, the capacity of oxide surfaces to adsorb and decompose DMMP was quantified. In most cases, porous catalysts were used although limited experimental data are available for aerosolized nonporous oxide particles. The reported experimental data applicable to scenarios involving prompt decomposition of CWA are summarized. It is noted that information is lacking describing respective heterogeneous reaction kinetics. Preliminary estimates of aerosolized smoke particle concentrations required to destroy CWA are made considering gas phase diffusion rates and reported values of the oxide capacity to decompose CWA or their surrogates.     

Combating nuclear smuggling? Exploring drivers and challenges to detecting nuclear and radiological materials at maritime facilities

International concern over nuclear terrorism has grown during the past few decades. This has driven a broad spectrum of efforts to strengthen nuclear security globally, including the widespread adoption of radiation-detection technology for border monitoring. Detection systems are now deployed at strategic locations for the purported purpose of detecting and deterring the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials. However, despite considerable investment in this area, few studies have examined how these programs are implemented or the operational challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. This article seeks to address this with a focus on radiation-detection efforts at maritime facilities. Utilizing practitioner interviews and a survey, this article identifies the factors that influence the planning and use of these systems in this fast-moving environment. The results clearly demonstrate that the implementation of these systems varies significantly across different national and organizational contexts, resulting in a fragmented global nuclear-detection architecture, which arguably undermines efforts to detect trafficked nuclear-threat materials. Greater consideration should therefore be given to developing international standards and guidance, designing and adopting tools to support key parts of the alarm assessment process, and broader sharing of good practice.     

一种适用于非合作源雷达的波束形成技术

非合作源雷达要完成对运动目标的检测,必须能够有效地抑制强烈的直达波信号。常规的波束形成方法在存在阵元误差的情况下,其性能将显著下降。提出的数值式波束形成算法既可以实现误差校正,又能在已知的干扰方向上形成较深的零陷,且能保持主瓣的形状和限制副瓣的响应。     

结构振动系统的模态解耦控制

基于特征结构配置的参数化结果,给出了实现结构振动系统模态解耦的充要条件,导出了期望的反馈增益阵及闭环特征向量矩阵的全体参数化表示。该方法在实现模态解耦的同时,还提供了全部自由度,可用来实现系统设计中某些性能要求。该方法直接基于原系统的参数矩阵,便于工程应用。三级质量弹簧系统的实例表明该方法有效。     

巡航导弹强弱点分析及防御方法

巡航导弹具有突防能力强、命中精度高、灵活性强、技术上易于实现和造价低等优点而备受各个国家重视,已经发展成为现代战争的重要武器,是上世纪90年代以后的主要空中作战目标之一.对巡航导弹的强点与弱点进行了分析,并研究了防御巡航导弹的可行方法.     

Upstream engagement and downstream entanglements: The assumptions,opportunities, and threats of partnering

This article addresses Western recruitment and management of personnel from non-Western countries in armed forces as part of a strategy of state stabilisation, examining its risks and benefits. ‘SFA’ (Security Forces Assistance) to indigenous forces has long been practised by the West and seems to have returned in recent years in a new form with the creation of armies in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, while providing cheap, proxy substitutes for the West and offering opportunities for state-building, the policy creates its own problems and can have significant, negative consequences.     

RGB-D传感器的标定实验分析

分析了RGB-D传感器的标定模型及标定方法,利用标定棋盘和Matlab工具箱对RGB-D传感器进行了标定。采用摄像机标定方法计算了彩色摄像机和深度摄像机的初始化参数,根据标定棋盘和标定板的共面关系计算了相对位姿的初始估计值,并采用非线性最小化方法对标定参数进行了优化。实验结果表明:标定后的彩色图像和深度图像的重投影误差较小,深度测量不确定性标准差比标定前约减小了1/2,有效地提高了RGB-D传感器的测量精度。