The Centre of Excellence in Energetic Materials (CoEEM)

Energetic materials, (explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, gas generators) represent a vitally important class of functional materials that have widespread use in both military and civil applications. From the strategic nuclear deterrent to smoke signals and matches, the technology employed is as wide-ranging as is the need for Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) and infrastructure to support the research, development, manufacture, use and disposal of energetic materials (EM).

The United Kingdom’s Centre of Excellence in Energetic Materials (CoEEM) is a government and Ministry of Defence (MoD) led initiative, through a collaboration of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO), and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) together with other government bodies, to pull together and champion this vital national capability requirement.

Drawing upon UK-wide organisations, facilities, and academic centres to partner in the delivery its mission, CoEEM is administered by Cranfield University from its secure site at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, in Oxfordshire.

Mission. CoEEM’s mission is to provide essential national capability via two overarching aims:

Technical leadership:

CoEEM acts as a catalyst in promoting world-leading excellence within the EM community, by building and facilitating professional networks to accelerate the exchange of innovative ideas and identify key areas of national focus.

Capability building:

To promote the rebuilding of sufficient depth of expertise and, therefore, critical mass in this area of national capability. Operating as a Collaboratory, CoEEM works with the wider EM community with the shared aim of building essential energetics related capability around:

• People
• Research and Development
• Testing and Evaluation
• Training and Education
• Knowledge Exchange

Underpinning these aims is life-long career support to researchers and engineers across the EM community through career development, training and education. CoEEM not only provides a forum for building networks and knowledge sharing, it also provides a source of, as well as access to, an efficient and effective use of existing specialised facilities and associated resources.

In support of its aims, CoEEM is a proud supporter of “Fulmination 2025”, and of the International Explosives Conference 2026, conferences for addressing the fundamental science that underpins explosives and other energetic materials.

To find out more, and register to join us, visit: www.coeem.org