The Shock Physics Summer School at Washington State University was established to provide an opportunity for talented upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students to participate in a 2-week intensive course on the basics of shock physics and dynamic compression science.

Held in June 2025, with an opportunity to extend into full summer research, the course will introduce participants to shock physics fundamentals and high-pressure loading platforms and diagnostics. All students will participate in a pre-designed experimental series to conduct meaningful, real shock physics experiments using the world class research capabilities.

Summer School Topics & Opportunities

• Basic shock wave physics and wave propagation
• Impact experiment design and analysis
• Basic equation-of-state development
• Advanced experimental methods and diagnostics
• Sample metrology and characterization
• General laboratory safety & conduct of operations
• Hands-on experimental work
• Attend external seminars given by leading experts
• Networking with staff from national laboratories and industry

Students from a range of disciplines including Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Geo/Planetary Science can benefit from this exciting curriculum.  This course is open to both students (undergraduate/graduate) and researchers (technical personnel/professional staff) from WSU and other institutions.

For more information about eligibility, financial support, and more, visit:  shock.wsu.edu/shock-physics-course

About Institute for Shock Physics - Washington State University

The Institute for Shock Physics (ISP) at Washington State University (WSU) is a multi-disciplinary research organization with a strong focus on understanding condensed matter response at extreme conditions. WSU (as the lead institution) and two outstanding academic partners – Princeton University and California Institute of Technology – conduct substantive research leading to advances/innovations in the field of Dynamic Compression Science. Multidisciplinary research activities, involving students, postdocs, and faculty members from different academic disciplines at the four participating institutions, comprehensively address the exciting scientific challenges. In addition, meaningful and mutually beneficial collaborations with scientists are undertaken at the NNSA Laboratories: Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia. WSU is a leader in shock wave and high pressure research. The research activities, supported by the DOE/NNSA and other federal agencies, involve examining and understanding physical and chemical changes in solids and liquids under very rapid and large compressions. Using state-of-the-art experimental and computational capabilities, world-class faculty at the... ISP conduct interdisciplinary research spanning the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, solid mechanics, planetary sciences, and applied mathematics. Graduate students and faculty from various academic departments participate in the research activities.

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