IISER Mohali develops smokeless firecracker prototype using plastic bottles
Researchers designed a reusable launcher that eliminates particulate emissions and debris by replacing gunpowder with a custom combustible formula.
In October 2017, following regulatory restrictions on traditional pyrotechnics in India, Dr Samrat Ghosh at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali developed a smoke-free firecracker prototype, as reported by The Better India. The system relies on a reusable launcher mechanism combined with a tailored combustible formulation rather than conventional gunpowder packed in paper casings thebetterindia.com
The Better Indiathebetterindia.comOpen source ↗.
Instead of exploding and destroying the outer shell, the device utilizes a discarded plastic bottle as an aerial projectile. When ignited by a spark, the combustible mixture creates rapid pressure buildup that launches the bottle into the air while producing a sharp acoustic report. According to the researchers, the reaction generates no visible smoke, releases no particulate matter, and leaves no burnt paper debris on the ground.
Mechanism and acoustic control
The IISER Mohali team engineered both aerial and non-aerial variants of the launcher. The mechanical setup allows users to modulate the sound intensity by adjusting the charge parameters, providing an alternative to fixed-yield chemical detonations. Furthermore, the chemical formulation can be adapted to emit specific fragrances into the surrounding air upon combustion, replacing the typical smell of sulfur and burnt oxidizers.
Because the structural component consists of a standard plastic bottle that remains intact after flight, the core apparatus is reusable thebetterindia.com
The Better Indiathebetterindia.comOpen source ↗. This design addresses the post-combustion physical waste typically associated with consumer pyrotechnics.
Formulation adjustments and status
In 2019, the researchers modified the combustible mixture by integrating distilled cow urine to lower raw material expenses. Ghosh stated that this additive reduced formulation costs by 50% without altering acoustic volume, light generation, or launch trajectory. The team reported that the modified organic mixture continued to produce zero particulate emissions, while analytical studies were set up at IISER to profile the gaseous combustion products.
Beyond festival use, developers noted potential utility in clearing airport runways of birds or repelling wildlife from agricultural crops. The technology remained at the experimental development stage, awaiting patent approvals, with commercial manufacturing not yet established.
