Editorial

Abstract.

On behalf of the board of editors of the journal Shock Waves, I am pleased to give a brief overview of recent shock wave research activities. Shock waves are comprehensive representations of phenomena that appear in non-linear wave dynamics. Historically, shock wave phenomena started to be intensively investigated with the advent of high-speed gas-dynamics and these investigations are nowadays supported by the development of both super-computation and advanced experimental technology. Meanwhile, shock wave research has been expanding its scope to various interdisciplinary applications. A particular case is shock wave research in condensed matter which has a history as long as that of corresponding research in the field of gas-dynamics. However, although there are many dynamic similarities between shock wave motion in gases and condensed matter, the difference with respect to physical properties of both media was so dominating that for a long time research activities in these two fields have been regrettably rather isolated with only little communication between both scientific communities. Realizing that many methodologies are increasingly overlapping, it is now a good time for all of us - in the spirit of the advancement of science and technology - to try to look at shock wave phenomena in various media in order to understand their common features.

The sheer variety of multi-faceted applications in shock wave research are reflected by an impressive number of international meetings such as the International Symposium on Shock Waves, the International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems and the Conference on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter. In addition to these major international activities, many countries regularly organize national shock wave symposia. As a result of such activities the Asia-Pacific Shock Wave Research Society was established in 2003, whose wide membership includes researchers from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

On the occasion of assuming the position as new Editor-in-Chief of the journal Shock Waves, I would like to thank my predecessor, Prof. Hans Grönig, for the many years of effort devoted to this task. I will continue to promote this journal as a major publishing platform that supports all international and interdisciplinary shock wave research activities and provides readers with an invaluable source of information.