The article discusses the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) budget request for FY2021, which focuses on supporting U.S. leadership in key industries of the future, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, 5G, and advanced manufacturing. NIST’s measurement science and standards play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability, security, and interoperability of these technologies.
The budget request aims to strengthen NIST’s efforts in four key areas:
1. Accelerating the development and adoption of secure, reliable AI technologies
2. Supporting resilient position, navigation, and timing systems
3. Promoting U.S. leadership in 5G standards development
4. Advancing measurement science for emerging technologies
NIST’s Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS) activities provide industry, academia, and other federal agencies with world-class research capabilities in measurement science. The institute’s unique user facilities help over 3,000 scientists from academia and industry advance the state of the art in nanotechnology, bioscience, advanced materials, and other emerging technology areas.
The budget request also maintains a focus on developing capabilities in four areas where NIST’s ability to provide a strong technical foundation may determine the future of U.S. leadership:
1. Industries of the Future
2. Health care
3. Physical infrastructure
4. Information technology
The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining NIST’s measurement capabilities at the highest levels of precision and accuracy to meet the increasing requirements of its stakeholders. The budget request aims to address the needs to increase the capacity of NIST facilities, improve access for people with disabilities, and safeguard the utility infrastructure of existing buildings.
Keywords: interoperability, metrology, standards, measurement, calibration
