New research institute for shock physics launched at Imperial College (4/12/2008)

A new £10 million research institute dedicated to studying the fundamental science behind shock waves, high velocity collisions and extremes of pressure and heat is announced today by Imperial College London.

The Institute for Shock Physics, based in Imperial's Faculty of Natural Sciences, will focus on understanding what happens to matter under extreme conditions. The research can be applied in many ways, including analysing the effect of meteorite impacts on planets, spacecraft and satellites, understanding how tsunamis are formed, using shockwaves to break up kidney stones and understanding the high pressure conditions that occur at the core of planets.

Funding for the new Institute over the next five years has been provided in part by the Atomic Weapons Establishment, although no defence research will be carried out at the Institute. The aim of the Institute is to undertake fundamental physics experiments which yield new insights into the science of shockwaves, of value to earth scientists, engineers, space agencies and medics. The Institute will increase UK capabilities in the field of shockwave science by attracting and training new researchers.

Imperial Physics Professor Steven Rose, who has been appointed interim Director of the new Institute, explains the importance of its mission, saying:

"The Institute will bring together a team of scientists and engineers who each specialise in different aspects of shock physics: experimental, theoretical and computational. Together this group of specialists will work to understand and accurately predict the outcomes of very fast impacts, wherever they take place."

New laboratory equipment at Imperial will enable researchers at the Institute to recreate and analyse very high pressure conditions such as those that occur when a meteorite strikes the Earth or a spacecraft.

Researchers will be able to record and analyse how materials respond to these extremes of pressure and heat at the molecular level, and will be able to track the movement of resulting shockwaves through the affected material. These experiments will lead to a new understanding of shockwaves and high pressures which will be useful for a wide range of scientists, including those designing the spacecraft and satellites of the future, and those studying the formation of tsunamis.

Dr Don Cook, Managing Director of the Atomic Weapons Establishment said: "Hydrodynamics, the science which explores the response of materials to high pressures generated by extreme shocks, is one of the key areas of research vital to enable the continued verification of the UK's nuclear deterrent in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty era.

"Although the Institute will not carry out any defence research, it will nurture the talent which will help us to ensure the UK remains at the leading edge of this crucial area of science."

Welcoming the announcement of the new Institute, Imperial's Rector Sir Richard Sykes, said: "The College has an outstanding record of bringing together experts from different disciplines to work on fundamental science that can be applied to meet the needs of industry and society. The new Institute for Shock Physics will bring together our world-class researchers in science and engineering to shed new light on how shock waves behave at the molecular level, which will underpin advances in a diverse range of fields."

The funding will facilitate the appointment of six new academic research appointments, a director, programme director and assistant, as well as 20 new PhD studentships.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Imperial Collge London

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