The Topic. The School of Physical Sciences is truely multi-disciplinary containing scientists with backgrounds in the disciplines of Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Space Science, Mathematics and Forensic Science. Yet there are some common threads. One of these is high-speed phenomena: ballistic science.

The Motivation. This BIFF forum exists to spin this thread into not just a yarn but a synergestic research network. First we have the acceleration or launch of bullets, vehicles, rockets and astrophysical jets. Then we have their deceleration through air, protective layers, aerogel, atmospheres and interstellar clouds. Finally, there may be an impact in which the materials may change in shape and constituents, deforming, melting, fragmenting or disintegrating/ablating.

What physics is involved? when will an object, be it a car or a comet, fragment rather than deform? This Formum will discuss the physical processes: the physics of shock waves, hypervelocity impacts, and tensile strengths.

How can impacts be avoided? In SPS, we analyse past Disasters which often have involved a combination of material and human failure. Are materials or humans ultimately to blame? Can stars or quasars form quietly, without generating streams of shock waves?

What path will a high-speed object take? How long will the path be? Can a near-earth object be deflected? These are questions of propagation, of turbulence and controlled laminar flow.

A further motivation is to create a common environment for our graduate students, providing colloquiua which are of interest to multiple disciplines within SPS.

The Objectives. The BIFF will (1) connect the physics of those working on diverse scales and with contrasting materials (2) with regular discussion sessions on the topics we all get excited about, and (3) invited speakers from ballistic and related groups around the UK will provide input. We thus hope to create the debates that may lead to emergent interdisciplinary research. The forum is now open ...........

Present BIFF research is based on:
a laboratory for experimental studies employing the Light Gas Gun,
associated computer simulations of hypervelocity impacts
a 220 hour infrared survey of the Plane of our Galaxy to search for Interstellar Bullets,
mathematical analyses of shock waves,
multi-dimensional computer simulations of jets in astrophysics and their impacts.
.
How should we extend these areas or begin fresh projects?

Contact: Michael D. Smith , acting BIFF Coordinator
Ingram Building
Room 101
Telephone: 01227 827654
Fax: 01227 827558
Email: M.D.Smith (@kent.ac.uk)

School of Physical Sciences
University of Kent
Canterbury CT2 7NH
U.K.