Bo Song, who developed the Experimental Impact Mechanics Lab at Sandia National Laboratories, places material for shock testing in the center of a Kolsky bar. When a gas gun is fired, the bar closes at the speed of a bullet train to assess how the material responds to stress and strain. 

sept21-llo-image2

Sandia National Laboratories mechanical engineer Bo Song, is seen seating a sample.

sept21-llo-image1

Upon impact, custom-made sensors measure the force being applied and displacement of the material being tested at Sandia National Laboratories’ Experimental Impact Mechanics Lab. 

sept21-llo-1800x900

Bo Song makes adjustments to the Drop-Hopkinson Bar—the only one of its kind in the world.

sept21-llo-image3

The EIML Kolsky and Dropkinson bars are seen here.

sept21-llo-image4

The Experimental Impact Mechanics Lab at Sandia National Labs can analyze any solid natural or manmade material on the planet

This Materials Testing Facility Can Analyze Almost Any Solid

Labs Less Ordinary

Article Thumbnail - Arizona State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Sign Agreement

Arizona State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory sign agreement to develop solutions to global challenges

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

<p>Partnership aims to tackle global challenges</p>

Arizona State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Sign Agreement

News

march-2026-when-the-unexpected-hits

How Lab Leaders Can Prepare for Safety Crises That Don’t Follow the Script

When the Unexpected Hits

Automated Eppendorf liquid handling robot dispensing into colorful multi-well plates

epmotion-image-1

eppendorf-logo

Eppendorf North America

epMotion&reg;: A Pipette&mdash;Only Smarter

compendium-thumb-eppendorf

Defocused close-up of a laboratory centrifuge with tubes

global security

This Materials Testing Facility Can Analyze Almost Any Solid

Arizona State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Sign Agreement

When the Unexpected Hits

Sponsored

epMotion®: A Pipette—Only Smarter

Matrix-Matched Centrifugation: Decisions Behind Reproducible Extracellular Vesicle Isolation

From Monitoring to Meaning: Agentic AI Strategies to Lower LabOps Operational Costs and Risks

Building a Quality-Driven Lab: A Guide to Minimizing Operational Risk