Taking Measure
https://www.nist.gov/
Taking Measure blog postsenA Laser Could Offer a Peek Into the Insides of Our Muscles or Look Through Fire
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/laser-could-offer-peek-insides-our-muscles-or-look-through-fire
A NIST-developed laser system might someday check your muscle health when you flex your arm. These lasers can also see how an object changes during heat exposure when it is in a fire.
Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000Esther Baumann https://www.nist.gov/node/1865206Nature’s Lessons: Creating a Greener Future for Manufacturing
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/natures-lessons-creating-greener-future-manufacturing
What if one manufacturer’s trash could be another’s treasure? A NIST researcher looks to nature for answers to this question.
Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000Abheek Chatterjeehttps://www.nist.gov/node/1863821How Atomic Clocks Have Changed Our World
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/how-atomic-clocks-have-changed-our-world
We spend our days immersed in time. But where does time come from? How do we track it? This has evolved along with technology in recent years.
Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000Gabriel Popkinhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1864316Safety Moon Shot: How Fire Research Cut Deaths by Half in a Generation
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/safety-moon-shot-how-fire-research-cut-deaths-half-generation
NIST research helped make the smoke alarm a standard part of our homes, and it’s one of many ways our fire research has made everyone safer.
Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000Megan Kinghttps://www.nist.gov/node/1863191What’s in a Name? The Magnetic Weber
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/whats-name-magnetic-weber
Dr. Wilhelm Weber gets the distinction of having the unit of magnetic flux, the weber, named in his honor. Magnetic flux measures the total magnetic field that passes through a surface.
Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000Sandy Resslerhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1862866Cybersecurity Careers Go Beyond Coding
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/cybersecurity-careers-go-beyond-coding
You don’t have to be a coder or have a technical background to work in cybersecurity. Learn about the career stories of three of our NIST cybersecurity professionals.
Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.nist.gov/node/1862756Can Nanotechnology Help Solve Climate Change?
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/can-nanotechnology-help-solve-climate-change
When we think about the climate crisis, we tend to think big. But two NIST researchers are thinking of small ways to help our planet — as in technology 1,000 times smaller than a hair.
Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000Lawrence Goodmanhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1860866Facing the Facts to Keep Our Biometrics Secure
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/facing-facts-keep-our-biometrics-secure
As facial recognition has become more common — from opening your smartphone to identifying yourself at a national border — NIST’s work in facial recognition has become more high-stakes.
Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000Mei Lee Ngan https://www.nist.gov/node/1862056Curiosity to Career: Encouraging Students to Pursue STEM Education
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/curiosity-career-encouraging-students-pursue-stem-education
A NIST researcher is volunteering to educate young students about life as a scientist — and encourage kids to envision a career for themselves in STEM.
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000J. Trey Diulus https://www.nist.gov/node/1860556Keepers of the Right Answer: Why Measurements at NIST Are Important for the Nation and the World
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/keepers-right-answer-why-measurements-nist-are-important-nation-and-world
Practically everything you use in your everyday life works because of measurement science.
Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000James K. Olthoffhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1859561Sinking Our Teeth Into Science: How Biomedical Engineering Can Help Make Us Healthier
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/sinking-our-teeth-science-how-biomedical-engineering-can-help-make-us-healthier
From safer dental products to tracking the movement of tiny plastics through gut tissues, regenerative medicine can make us healthier.
Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000Robert A. Gutierrez https://www.nist.gov/node/1857936A Summer of Studying Cybersecurity — and Human Error’s Role in Attacks
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/summer-studying-cybersecurity-and-human-errors-role-attacks
A NIST intern spent his summer researching cybersecurity — and the human errors that can jeopardize it.
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000Miles Walkerhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1856466Unlocking Our World’s Earliest Secrets — One Tiny Electron at a Time
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/unlocking-our-worlds-earliest-secrets-one-tiny-electron-time
Why do we exist? It’s a big question — and one that some of NIST’s early universe detectives are getting closer to answering.
Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000Sun Parkhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1854386The Promise of Synthetic Cells: Revolutionary New Drugs, Outer Space Explorers and Pushing Beyond the Limits of Evolution
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/promise-synthetic-cells-revolutionary-new-drugs-outer-space-explorers-and
Scientists are getting closer to creating a living cell from scratch. It could help treat diseases or even create life forms that can be better adapted to space.
Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.nist.gov/node/1853391One of the World’s Roundest Objects Is Helping to Build a Better Mass Measurement
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/one-worlds-roundest-objects-helping-build-better-mass-measurement
Different countries' approaches can lead to different definitions of the kilogram. But NIST is working with our international partners to see how we can close those tiny gaps.
Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000Megan Kinghttps://www.nist.gov/node/1853156You Don’t Learn This in School: My Experience as a NIST Summer Intern
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/you-dont-learn-school-my-experience-nist-summer-intern
The most important thing I remember from being a NIST intern last summer is the power of persistence in research.
Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000George Sellershttps://www.nist.gov/node/1849906How Low Can Temperature Go? Lord Kelvin and the Science of Absolute Zero
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/how-low-can-temperature-go-lord-kelvin-and-science-absolute-zero
On Lord Kelvin’s 200th birthday today, we’re remembering the scientist who brought us the metric (SI) unit for temperature.
Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000Stephen Eckel https://www.nist.gov/node/1847761Your Future Medications Could Be Personalized for You on a 3D Printer
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/your-future-medications-could-be-personalized-you-3d-printer
Your future medications could be made on a 3D printer, and a NIST researcher is working to make sure that process is safe.
Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000Lawrence Goodmanhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1849446NIST Researchers Measure Greenhouse Gases During the Solar Eclipse
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/nist-researchers-measure-greenhouse-gases-during-solar-eclipse
Check out some of the things happening at NIST during the past few months through the lens of social media.
Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000Alex Bosshttps://www.nist.gov/node/1847936One of NIST’s Most Prolific Inventors Is Also Our Director — and She’s Still an Inventor at Heart
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/one-nists-most-prolific-inventors-also-our-director-and-shes-still-inventor
Before she was the director of NIST, Laurie E. Locascio invented materials that make us healthier.
Wed, 22 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.nist.gov/node/1848406From Trash to Cash: How AI and Machine Learning Can Help Make Recycling Less Expensive for Local Governments
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/trash-cash-how-ai-and-machine-learning-can-help-make-recycling-less-expensive
Can AI help us recycle better? A NIST researcher is working to make that happen.
Wed, 15 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000Bradley Sutliff https://www.nist.gov/node/1847511NIST Research Is Setting the Standard to Help Buildings Withstand Tornadoes
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/nist-research-setting-standard-help-buildings-withstand-tornadoes
Two NIST researchers have been recognized for their work to create new standards for buildings that can better withstand tornadoes.
Wed, 08 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000Brian Gutierrezhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1847671NIST Physicist’s Once Obscure Work Is Now Helping Researchers Learn About the Origins of the Universe
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/nist-physicists-once-obscure-work-now-helping-researchers-learn-about-origins
A NIST researcher worked in obscurity for years — until his work was needed to help us understand the origins of our universe.
Wed, 01 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000Ron Cowenhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1846011Measuring Microplastics: To Solve the Problem, We Have to Understand and Measure It
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/measuring-microplastics-solve-problem-we-have-understand-and-measure-it
My friends sometimes jokingly ask me, “How many microplastics do you think I consumed this week?” Unfortunately, the answer is not zero.
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000George Cacereshttps://www.nist.gov/node/1842661Demystifying Quantum: It’s Here, There and Everywhere
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/demystifying-quantum-its-here-there-and-everywhere
It’s time to celebrate World Quantum Day! But what is quantum, anyway? A NIST physicist answers your questions.
Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000Tara Fortierhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1843771Listening to the Data: How a NIST Tool Helps Labs Worldwide Harmonize Measurements
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/listening-data-how-nist-tool-helps-labs-worldwide-harmonize-measurements
In a global economy, measurements need to be reliably comparable across the world. But how do we ensure that actually happens?
Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000Antonio Possolohttps://www.nist.gov/node/1843026The Sound of Soot: How a Strange Noise Can Keep Us Safer From Fires
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/sound-soot-how-strange-noise-can-keep-us-safer-fires
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Where there’s fire, there is soot. And where there is soot, there is … noise.
Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000Amy Mensch, Ryan Falkenstein-Smith https://www.nist.gov/node/1840781From Bookmobiles to Big Data, How Library Scientists Make Information Accessible to All
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/bookmobiles-big-data-how-library-scientists-make-information-accessible-all
During Women’s History Month, a NIST librarian looks back at the librarian who brought us the bookmobile — back when it brought books by horse and buggy.
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000Kathryn Millerhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1840496Houston, We Have the Engine Remnants: How My Lab Pieced Together a Forgotten Part of an Apollo Rocket
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/houston-we-have-engine-remnants-how-my-lab-pieced-together-forgotten-part
Like many people, I had dreams of flying into space as an astronaut when I was a child. That interest in aerospace and space exploration has continued throughout my life.
Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000Adam Creuzigerhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1841561Measurement in the Movies
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/measurement-movies
The nominees are in … for the best use of measurement in a movie.
Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000Ben P. Steinhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1840401Weighing Your Purchases: How New Laws May Help You Become a Savvier Online Shopper
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/weighing-your-purchases-how-new-laws-may-help-you-become-savvier-online-shopper
When you buy something by weight or volume, you want to get what you pay for. And we’re helping to make sure that happens — whether you shop online or in a store.
Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000John McGuirehttps://www.nist.gov/node/1838941Leap Day Is Here: It Doesn’t Have to Be Your Standard Weekday
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/leap-day-here-it-doesnt-have-be-your-standard-weekday
We get an extra day this year, but why do we need a leap day every four years on Feb. 29? It all comes down to standards.
Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000Andrew Novickhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1840236From Pokémon to Physics: My Journey of Perseverance Into Research
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/pokemon-physics-my-journey-perseverance-research
A childhood love of video games led Samuel Márquez Gonzalez to a career in science and a NIST internship program for early career researchers.
Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000Samuel Márquez Gonzálezhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1837046Henry Moseley: A Patriotic Scientist Who Changed the Periodic Table — and Then Went Off to War
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/henry-moseley-patriotic-scientist-who-changed-periodic-table-and-then-went-war
At a young age, physicist Henry Moseley changed the periodic table of the elements — before dying in a bloody World War I battle.
Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000Miral Dizdarogluhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1836581A Polymer Scientist Wrestles — Literally and Figuratively — With the Frustrations of Plastic Packaging
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/polymer-scientist-wrestles-literally-and-figuratively-frustrations-plastic
If you’ve resolved to be a more eco-conscious consumer this year, learn about how NIST’s circular economy lead thinks about plastic packaging in our everyday lives.
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000Kate Beershttps://www.nist.gov/node/1834456Riding the Wind: How Applied Geometry and Artificial Intelligence Can Help Us Win the Renewable Energy Race
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/riding-wind-how-applied-geometry-and-artificial-intelligence-can-help-us-win
A NIST researcher is using math and AI to help design an optimal wind turbine.
Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000Zach Greyhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1832876From Diamonds in Your Computer to Safer Medications, NIST Researchers Look at What’s Next for 2024 and Beyond
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/diamonds-your-computer-safer-medications-nist-researchers-look-whats-next-2024
Our up-and-coming researchers look ahead to 2024 and beyond — and tell us how their work will impact the world.
Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.nist.gov/node/1833431Auld Lang ‘Time’: One of the Country’s Timekeepers Makes Sure We Ring in 2024 at Just the Right Second
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/auld-lang-time-one-countrys-timekeepers-makes-sure-we-ring-2024-just-right
As you prepare to watch the ball drop or pop champagne on New Year’s Eve, we’ll be keeping an eye on the clock — just as we always do.
Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000Andrew Novickhttps://www.nist.gov/node/1831941A Scientific Christmas Tale
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/scientific-christmas-tale
’Twas the night before Christmas; NIST staff had gone home. Our director was left to reflect all alone. She thought about NIST and the breadth of its work, from AI to fire to even the quark.
Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000Robin Materesehttps://www.nist.gov/node/1832486Standing Up for Scientific Integrity: A Q&A With Writer-Director José Ricardo García on the New Film ‘The AD-X2 Controversy’
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/standing-scientific-integrity-qa-writer-director-jose-ricardo-garcia-new-film
In the 1950s, scientific integrity was put into question by a packet of salt. That controversy is the center of a new NIST film.
Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000https://www.nist.gov/node/1832866