A multidisciplinary research organization at Washington State University within the College of Arts and Sciences, the ISP undertakes a broad range of fundamental scientific activities related to understanding condensed matter response under dynamic and static compression.  In 1997, the Institute was established with support from the DOE (Defense Programs) to ensure a strong, long-term academic base for the DOE’s national security mission, and is currently funded through NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship Academic Alliance (SSAA) program.

Continuum-to-Atomic level understanding is the pervading scientific theme of the research activities that emphasize integration of innovative experiments with theoretical and computational advances.  Multidisciplinary efforts that combine expertise in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering are underway to address several exciting and challenging scientific problems.  Excellent research interactions are in place with the NNSA National Laboratories:  Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, and Sandia. 

State-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities are housed in the Shock Physics Building.  Inaugurated in 2003, the building was designed specifically for shock wave research and represents a unique facility among academic institutions.  The major experimental research facilities available for studying physical and chemical phenomena over a large range of length and time scales include the Impact Laboratory, Laser Shock Laboratory, Static High Pressure Laboratory, and the Compact Pulsed Power Facility.  Among the Institute’s research capabilities is a Computational Facility designed to complement the experimental effort.  Further details may be seen at www.shock.wsu.edu.

National Security

Higher Education

Nuclear

Institute for Shock Physics - Washington State University

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