The Center for High Pressure Research (CHiPR), received funding from the National Science Foundation from February, 1991 to January, 2002 as one of the NSF Science and Technology Centers. CHiPR's goals were scientific, technological, and educational.

CHiPR was guided by two central scientific objectives: (1) to understand the deep interiors of planets, especially the Earth's mantle and core, through quantitative study of the materials likely to be present in such environments, and (2) to use pressure as a probe of the structure, bonding, energetics, and physical properties of solids to improve fundamental understanding of high-pressure chemical and physical phenomena.

We seek to advance high-pressure technology in both diamond-anvil cell and multi-anvil high-pressure, high-temperature environments, to use and improve the application of synchrotron radiation to high-pressure studies, and to develop in situ and ex situ characterization methods compatible with microscopic high-pressure samples.

We are committed to a strong educational component for a community diverse in its needs and demographics. We provide continuity and flexibility for external and internal collaborations in our unique laboratories, and we engage in outreach programs to a varied community in academia, federal laboratories, industry, and the general public.

Last update: April 27, 2006 by Glenn A. Richard