A combustion reaction releases energy ... Avoid looking directly at the light source. Magnesium burns brightly in air and is used in distress flares. Metal oxides produced in oxidation reactions ...

Developed for hypersonic weapons, the engine inhales air and water ... water vapour into the combustion chamber and the ratio of other ingredients in the fuel, such as magnesium and aluminium.

The researchers found that aluminium and magnesium undergo a metallic thermite reaction with boron oxide that can interfere with the combustion process and leaves unwanted oxide residues.