Chinese scientists have successfully tested a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb amid the Army's push towards cleaner energy solutions.

The explosive device, weighing 2 kilograms, was developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) 705 Research Institute, which is known for its work in underwater weapon systems. Unlike traditional nuclear bombs, this device uses a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage material known as magnesium hydride, which is capable of storing more hydrogen than pressurised tanks.

Once activated, the magnesium hydride undergoes rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignites into a sustained fireball exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius for over two seconds – 15 times longer than equivalent TNT blasts. This combustion results in extensive thermal damage, sufficient to melt aluminum alloys, and allows for precise control over blast intensity, achieving uniform destruction across vast areas.

Source: South China Morning Post

Image: Stephen Chen