This is a video describing the initial development of a nanoscale aluminum and water ice (ALICE) propellant. This work was done by a collaborative effort between Purdue and Penn State University and was funded by AFOSR and NASA. The support of Dr. Mitat Birkan is particularly noted. Applications include in situ propellants. Much work remains to improve performance.
For more details see: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/874076
Feasibility Study and Demonstration of an Aluminum and Ice Solid Propellant
Timothee L. Pourpoint, Tyler D. Wood, Mark A. Pfeil, John Tsohas, and Steven F. Son
International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 874076, 11 pages
doi:10.1155/2012/874076
More links to papers are at: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~sson/Son_Webpage/Publications.html