  In this work, we detail a novel application of inverse design and advanced
manufacturing to rapidly develop and experimentally validate modifications to a
shaped charge jet analogue. The shaped charge jet analogue comprises a conical
copper liner, high explosive (HE), and silicone buffer. We apply a genetic
algorithm to determine an optimal buffer design that can be placed between the
liner and the HE that results in the largest possible change in jet velocity.
The use of a genetic algorithm allows for discoveries of unintuitive, complex,
yet optimal buffer designs. Experiments using the optimal design verified the
effectiveness of the buffer and validated the modeling.
