Non-Explosive Fertilizer Can't be Used in Bombs

Non-Explosive Fertilizer Can't be Used in Bombs
Apr-30-13
In the wake of the West, Texas explosion, researchers at Sandia Labs have developed a non-explosive fertilizer alternative, which they plan to make freely available.

Ammonium nitrate, a staple of fertilizers, is also the raw ingredient of most IEDs in Afghanistan, and was also used to create the explosives of the Oklahoma City Bombing. Kevin Fleming, an organic gardener since the age of eight, created the safer fertilizer by finding a compound able to break the weak bond between the ammonium ion and the nitrate ion. He settled on iron sulfate, which, if someone tries the make a bomb by mixing the fertilizer with fuel, will attract the nitrate ion while the ammonium ion bonds with the sulfate ion.

As a bonus, the addition of the iron sulfate makes the fertilizer even better for alkaline soils, where it adds iron and acidifies the soil.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[SANDIA LABS]
Share on      

Add your Comment:

[LOGIN FIRST] if you're already a member.

fields are required.



Note: Your name will appear at the bottom of your comment.