Publishing Challenges in Energetic Materials Science

摘要

After several domestic terrorism bombings, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics published an editorial entitled 'The Burden of Knowledge".1 The author is an expert in energetic materials and specializes in forensic analyses of bombings. The editorial addressed the ethical dilemma that energetic materials scientists face in advancing their field for societal good and not providing information that could be used for nefarious purposes. The reaction to the editorial was heated, both pro and con. We concluded that PEP had done a good job in catalyzing a thoughtful debate in our community about what information should or should not be published.