This article is a speech delivered by the Honorary President at the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), highlighting the renewed partnership between NIST and NCWM through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The speech reflects on the long history of collaboration between the two organizations, dating back over 100 years, and emphasizes the importance of uniform standards in ensuring fair trade and consumer protection. The speaker thanks NCWM members and acknowledges past efforts, including a 2021 survey on propane gas cylinders that revealed widespread non-compliance with measurement standards.
The speech also looks ahead to the future of measurement standards in the context of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 6G communications. NIST is working to develop new measurement techniques and standards to support these innovations, including quantum-based sensors and cybersecurity measures for supply chains. The renewed MOU aims to strengthen collaboration between NIST and NCWM to address the growing complexity of modern measurement systems, such as networked devices and cloud-based data storage. The partnership will focus on ensuring that legal metrology standards keep pace with technological advancements and support fair commerce in the digital age.
Keywords: quantum-based sensors, legal metrology, measurement standards
