Chemistry:Sponge bomb
A sponge bomb is a specialized device designed to seal the end of a tunnel. Small enough that it can be set by a single person, it is a non-explosive, chemical bomb that releases a burst of expanding foam that quickly hardens.[1][2]
Development
The sponge bomb was developed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to address the use of tunnels by Hamas in Gaza.[3][4]
Design
Housed in a plastic container, the bomb has a metal partition that separates two liquid reagents. Once the partition is removed, the liquids mix and react, causing them to rapidly expand and then solidify, creating a physical barrier blocking the tunnel. The device is either set at its target by an individual or thrown.[1]
In 2021, testing of sponge bombs was reportedly conducted by IDF in simulated tunnels.[5]
During initial testing of these bombs, the liquid emulsion was found to be hazardous to work with when mishandled – some Israeli soldiers lost their eyesight.[1]
Historical perspective
This is not the first time that sticky foam has been used by a military force. Reportedly, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army have used streams of foam as non-lethal tools for crowd control or restraint of hostile combatants.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nicholls, Dominic (Oct 30, 2023). "'Sponge bombs': Israel's new secret weapon for inside Hamas tunnels". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/25/sponge-bomb-new-weapon-israel-gaza-tunnels-war-hamas/. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ Pradhan, Sucheta (Oct 28, 2023). "Sponge Bomb: IDF's New Way To Fight Subterranean Threats". https://themachinemaker.com/technology/decoding-the-sponge-bomb. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Israel's Innovative Solution In War Against Hamas: 'Sponge Bombs' To Seal Off Gaps In Gaza Tunnels. Explained". https://menafn.com/1107319985/Israels-Innovative-Solution-In-War-Against-Hamas-Sponge-Bombs-To-Seal-Off-Gaps-In-Gaza-Tunnels-Explained. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Trevithick, Joseph (Oct 27, 2023). "Does Israel Really Have 'Sponge Bombs' For Sealing Tunnels?". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/does-israel-really-have-sponge-bombs-for-sealing-tunnels. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ "What Are Israel's New Secret Weapon "Sponge Bombs" And How They Work?". https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/what-are-israels-new-secret-weapon-sponge-bombs-and-how-they-work-4522254. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
External links
 |  |
