Beijing Institute of Technology was authorized in 1991 to establish the State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology (SKLEST). In 1996, SKLEST was certified by the government and officially opened to the public. It is a unique state-level laboratory in the field of explosion science and technology. The mission of SKLEST is to take on significant scientific and technological challenges, to produce original and innovative research outcomes, and to make significant contributions to national development.

SKLEST involves the disciplines of Weapon Science and Technology, Mechanics, Safety Science and Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Technology, and Chemistry. Five highlighted research areas include Theory and Application of Energetic Materials, Explosion Mechanics, Damage Theory and Application, Protective Theory and Technology, and Explosion Safety Theory and Assessment Methods. SKLEST has four experimental sites, i.e. Zhongguancun Laboratory, West-Mountain Laboratory, Donghuayuan Laboratory and Joint BIT-Shandong Experiment Base.

SKLEST has 2 academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2 academicians of Chinese Academy of Engineering, 10 winners of China National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 5 Distinguished Professors awarded by Cheung Kong Scholars Program, 2 winners of Excellent Young Scientists Fund. SKLEST also hosts 3 innovation teams for National Science and Technology and 1 Innovative Research Group of National Natural Science Foundation.

With its unique features and strength, SKLEST has become an influential research base for explosion science and technology, safety science and engineering and protective technology, a talents-training base and a national and international academic and research exchange center. 

Domestic and overseas experts with research interests in the relevant field of explosion science and technology are welcome to visit SKLEST for research exchange and collaboration.