C:\Documents and Settings\gfeller kenette\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\89MBOD23\RevSciInstrum_77_045109[

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 26-09-2005 REPORT TYPE Journal Article ABSTRACT The efficient development of hypergolic fuels requires an interdisciplinary approach involving ab initio modeling, synthesis, and experimental physical chemistry. Candidate molecules must exhibit hypergolic ignition delay times that are fast enough to warrant further testing for safety and performance criteria. Hypergolic ignition delay apparatus has been mentioned in the open literature for six decades but accurate, detailed, modern ignition delay hardware that uses inexpensive laboratory building blocks and a minimum of custom circuitry is still needed. This paper details line-of-sight electro-optical circuitry with direct digital readout and additional oscilloscope recording that can be used to measure total ignition and chemical delay times for screening candidate fuels. We also illustrate the value of high speed video and quantum chemical calculations to supplement the ignition delay measurements for a comprehensive approach to hypergolic fuel research. The efficient development of hypergolic fuels requires an interdisciplinary approach involving ab initio modeling, synthesis, and experimental physical chemistry. Candidate molecules must exhibit hypergolic ignition delay times that are fast enough to warrant further testing for safety and performance criteria. Hypergolic ignition delay apparatus has been mentioned in the open literature for six decades, but accurate, detailed, modern ignition delay hardware that uses inexpensive laboratory building blocks and a minimum of custom circuitry is still needed. This article details line-of-sight electro-optical circuitry with direct digital readout and additional oscilloscope recording that can be used to measure total ignition and chemical delay times for screening candidate fuels. We also illustrate the value of high speed video and quantum chemical calculations to supplement the ignition delay measurements for a comprehensive approach to hypergolic fuel research