Lab (Experimental facilities)

Even though our group primarily does theoretical/simulations of different materials @ extreme conditions, but we closely work with experimentalists to validate our work. In some cases, we also develop innovative experimental facilities to address research beyond what is available experimentally nearby. Our physical lab is located in ETRL 221.

Four main broad areas (listed below) are typically covered in our lab. We have some equipment that perform those tests, whereas for other large tests or extensive characterization we utilize collaboration with experimental groups within and outside of WSU.

Mechanical Shock:

We are in the process of installation of Shock tube with the ability to generate 100 bar (~1450 psi) pressure.

In addition to that, we have built another innovative experimental facilities called “Underwater Spark Discharge” which can be used for cavitation bubble dynamics studies along with numerous other studies such as “applying shock waves to living cells” and “painless, needleless drug transmission”.

Movie of the above facilities coming up soon………………..

In addition to these small scale inhouse facilities, we collaborate with Institute of Shock Physics (ISP) group at WSU for most of our impact shock based work. Some of our previous impact shock work are shown below:

Simulation (Material point Method) of spherical projectile hitting a target plate (half of it shown) resulting in damage, ejecta and backsurface failure upon full penetration

Actual experiment carried out at HEMI, Johns Hopkins using the HyFIRE setup in which similar ejecta and backsurface failure upon full penetration can be observed. Similar experiments are possible (and regularly done) at the ISP facilities.

Electromagnetic Impulse:

Electromagnetic radiation effects on materials are dealt within our lab at different wavelengths starting from UV to gamma to even cosmic radiations. We have a UV chamber in our lab, for gamma Radiation related works, we collaborate with researchers at PNNL and INL. In addition we also collaborate with faculties doing experimental research on nuclear reactors here at WSU and other universities. For Cosmic radiation, we work with Brookhaven National Labs.

Corrosive environment:

Corrosive environments we typically create ourselves to investigate the fundamental chemistry involved in those processes.

In addition to standard mechanical testing facilities (UTM, etc.) we have a large number of shared facilities around campus to do mechanical characterization and also spectroscopic investigations (IR, Raman, Positron Annihilation). We do collaborate with related faculties in those domains to support our theoretical (and sometimes experimental combined) works.