New research institute for shock physics launched at Imperial College

Scientists to study shock waves and high velocity collisions<em> - News Release</em>

Imperial College London news release

For immediate release
Monday 7 April 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.

The new Insitute for Shock Physics will shed new light on the conditions under which tsunamis are formed

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.

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For more information please contact:

Danielle Reeves, Imperial College London Press Office,
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2198
Mob: +44 (0)7803 886248
Email: Danielle.reeves@imperial.ac.uk

Valerie Hincks, AWE Media Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0)118 982 6347

Notes for editors:

1. About Imperial College London

Imperial College London - rated the world's fifth best university in the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings - is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 12,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk

2. AWE plc manages and operates the Atomic Weapons Establishment on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, manufacturing and maintaining the warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Website: www.awe.co.uk