The High Strain Rate Testing is done using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar . Some references to work in MMC's are here. The latest effort in this area attempts to make the next logical step, i.e., knowing what kind of reactions occur and how they affect the properties, how can we design the interface to produce the properties we want.
Some references are here.
Metal Foams Metal Foams are a new class of materials which are beginning to find uses in energy absorption applications and applications where high specific stiffness is required. We are investigating the mechanical properties of metal foams and various hollow sections filled with foams. The foams are manufactured by the Fraunhofer Center - Delaware . A variety of things including, corrosion of MMC's, radiation effects in molybdenum, ion implantation of semiconductors, fracture toughness of titanium alloys. Some references are here.