Advances in metal fuels for zero-carbon energy storage and high-performance propulsion

Metal fuels such as iron, aluminum, magnesium, and boron are emerging as a critical nexus of combustion science, materials engineering, and clean energy. Driven by the need for carbon-neutral power and high-density energetic materials, these substances offer superior energy storage, handling, and potential recyclability, making them highly desirable as future-generation energy carriers for circular economy and/or advanced propulsion. Despite their potential, many fundamental processes governing metal fuel utilization, such as ignition kinetics, flame spread, and particle-level dynamics, remain elusive. Modern advancements in diagnostic techniques and computational modeling are now vital for unlocking the safe and highly efficient performance of metal-based systems, from aerospace propulsion to large-scale clean energy delivery.

The goal of this Research Topic is to collect cutting-edge research and new perspectives on the utilization of metallic fuels. We are particularly interested in two core areas: 1) deepening the mechanistic understanding of metal combustion, including kinetics, particle dynamics, and flame spread; and 2) presenting innovative system investigations that address practical applications in energy and propulsion. Aligned with the journal's scope—which includes combustion science, thermal systems, and reaction engineering—we invite strong contributions from both the theoretical and experimental domains.

We invite original research, reviews, and short communications on topics including, but not limited to, the following themes:

I. Fundamental Phenomena

-Ignition and Burning Dynamics: Studies focused on the burning characteristics of individual or ensemble metal and alloy particles.

-Reaction Kinetics: Analysis of chemical reaction rates in both the condensed-phase and vapor-phase during metal combustion.

-Flame Dynamics: Investigation of flame propagation and explosion hazards within dispersed metal particle clouds.

II. Tools and Modeling

-Advanced Diagnostics: Development and application of optical and experimental techniques specifically for characterizing metal combustion processes.

-Computational Methods: Novel modeling and simulation approaches for predicting metal particle ignition and combustion behavior across scales.

III. Applications and Sustainability

-Novel Concepts: Exploration of innovative combustion approaches for metallic fuels.

-System Applications: Research focused on the application of metal fuels in propulsion systems, pyrotechnics, and other specialized energetic materials.

-Sustainable Cycles: Investigations into the recycling and regeneration processes necessary to enable closed-loop, metal-based energy carriers.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Metal Combustion, Dust Flame, Metal Fuel Cycle, Regeneration of Metals, Energetic Materials

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.