The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has undergone significant changes since its founding in 1901, evolving from the National Bureau of Standards to its current name. Throughout its history, NIST has been a leader in advancing measurement science, providing essential services that have become embedded in the American economy.
One of NIST’s early acquisitions was a Riefler clock, which was highly accurate for its time. Today, NIST uses atomic fountain clocks to define the second, achieving unprecedented accuracy. The ampere has also evolved, with the current definition based on quantum phenomena like the Josephson junction.
NIST has produced standard reference materials (SRMs) since 1905, initially for metallurgical analysis and quality control. Today, NIST offers over 1,000 different types of SRMs, including materials for cutting-edge technologies like monoclonal antibodies.
The redefinition of the kilogram, a major milestone in measurement science, was made possible by NIST’s work on the Kibble balance, a technology that measures mass using electrical energy and quantum physics.
NIST’s impact on the American economy has been significant, with its testing and calibration services improving product quality for industries ranging from lighting to electronics. Looking to the future, NIST’s “NIST on a Chip” program aims to revolutionize standard measurements by making them more accessible and integrated into industrial and scientific research.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/1901-2021-measurements-then-and-now
Keywords: Planck, Quantum, Josephson, Cesium, Electromagnetic
