ALBUQUERQUE, April 17 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've created and licensed a safer fuel air diversionary device -- often called a "flash-bang" -- used to disorient adversaries.
Such devices -- also called stun grenades -- are less-than-lethal weapons used by law enforcement officers or during military operations. When, as in a grenade, a pin is pulled and the device is thrown, it produces an extremely loud sound and very bright flash of light to temporarily distract or disorient people.
But researchers say current flash-bang devices, created more than 20 years ago at Sandia, often cause injuries and even fires.
The new devices produce a small dust explosion with a gas generator rapidly ejecting and igniting aluminum powder that makes an intensely bright light and an explosive noise, researchers said.
"The body of the diversionary device itself does not explode, making the operation safer for the person deploying the item and for anyone in the area," Sandia officials said. "This lessens the likelihood of injury and also the severity of the consequences should a mishap occur."
Sandia -- operated by the Lockheed Martin Corp. for the Department of Energy -- licensed the technology to the Defense Technology Corp. of American in Casper, Wyo.
