China Tests Non-Nuclear 'Blowtorch' Bomb

China has recently tested a non-nuclear "blowtorch" bomb, a groundbreaking hydrogen-based explosive capable of producing a sustained fireball lasting over two seconds, which is 15 times longer than a time-tested trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosion.

Key Features of the Bomb • Hydrogen-Based Technology: Uses magnesium hydride, a solid-state hydrogen storage material, to release hydrogen gas upon activation.

• Sustained Fireball: The fireball reaches temperatures exceeding 1,000°C, enough to melt materials like aluminum alloys. • Thermal Damage Radius: Delivers 40% of TNT's blast force but with a much larger heat projection range.

TNT's blast force is measured using its energy output, with one gram of TNT producing roughly 4,184 Joules of energy. This is often used as a standard for comparing the explosive power of other materials.

Applications and Implications • Military Use: Potential to target high-value assets or cover large areas with intense heat. • Energy Innovation: Originally developed for clean energy solutions, such as powering fuel cells.