To solve practical problems related to the effects of explosions, impacts, and fire on materials and structures in both military and commercial settings, SRI's Poulter Laboratory conducts extensive research and creates simulation scenarios. SRI also operates one of the largest, best equipped, privately owned explosives testing facilities in the world.

Products and capabilities include:

• Low-pressure dilute explosives

• Scale-model structures

• Natural-gas-fire experiments 

• A wide range of impact experiments

• Explosive detection systems and other counter-terrorism solutions 

• Analysis of X-ray deposition, pulsed lasers, and shock waves on materials

• Missiles and missile launch tubes

• Methods for clearing landmines and obstacles in the surf zone

• Improving the effectiveness of torpedoes

• Simulating underwater explosions