NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology The Science of Measurement 164 Education Liaison & Outreach

Nanosphere Latex Particles The Monodisperse Latex Reactor flew on the third Space Shuttle flight (STS-3), where it produced microspheres up to 5 microns in diameter. It was reflown on STS-4, STS-6, STS-7, and STS-11, ultimately producing microspheres up to 30 microns in diameter. These spheres were later tested and certified by the National Bureau of Standards. The Monodisperse Latex Reactor flew on the third Space Shuttle flight (STS-3), where it produced microspheres up to 5 microns in diameter. It was reflown on STS-4, STS-6, STS-7, and STS-11, ultimately producing microspheres up to 30 microns in diameter. These spheres were later tested and certified by the National Bureau of Standards.certified NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Let’s take a trip back in time…

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Prehistoric people didn’t have time to measure

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT But over time….

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT people started growing food

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT and developing permanent settlements

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT So, they needed a system of measurement…

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT or there would be mayhem!

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT History of Measurement

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Egyptian Cubit Used to build pyramids Used to build pyramids Dependent on the pharaoh Dependent on the pharaoh Missed calibration was punishable by death! Missed calibration was punishable by death!

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Fast-forward 5000 years to current measurement systems

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metric System (SI) MassKilogram (kg) LengthMeter (m) TimeSecond (s) TemperatureKelvin (K) Electric CurrentAmpere (A) Amount of SubstanceMole (mol) Luminous IntensityCandela (cd) International System of Measurement SEVEN BASE UNITS

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Simple to use Simple to use Bases of tenBases of ten All other units derived from primary seven All other units derived from primary seven For example: V = cm 3 = 1 mLFor example: V = cm 3 = 1 mL Metric System (SI)

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Now, a couple of definitions…

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT “the science that deals with measurement” “to determine the dimension, quantity or capacity of something” Measure Metrology

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Concepts Uncertainty Value assigned to a measurement result that characterizes how well it is known/unknownValue assigned to a measurement result that characterizes how well it is known/unknown Measurement Result Potential Value

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Concepts Traceability Unbroken chain of comparisons to the SI units, all having stated uncertaintiesUnbroken chain of comparisons to the SI units, all having stated uncertainties NMI You, the Consumer Inaccurate Measurements

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Concepts Calibration Set of operations that establish the relationship between values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument and a reference standardSet of operations that establish the relationship between values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument and a reference standard

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENTMetrologist Designs and runs measurement calibrations & tests Designs and runs measurement calibrations & tests Analyzes the results Analyzes the results Determines the final accuracy of the device under test Determines the final accuracy of the device under test Calibration Engineer Calibration Technician Metrologist

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Careers Scientific Metrology Organization and development of measurement standards and their maintenance (highest level)Organization and development of measurement standards and their maintenance (highest level) NIST Atomic Clock Accurate to 1 s in 20 million years

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Careers Industrial Metrology Adequate functioning of measurement instruments used in industry as well as production and testing processesAdequate functioning of measurement instruments used in industry as well as production and testing processes

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Careers Legal Metrology Measurements that influence economic transactions, health and safetyMeasurements that influence economic transactions, health and safety

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Who Needs Accurate Measurements?

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Pharmaceutical Industry Metrology laboratories test weights and volume standards for pharmaceutical companies Metrology laboratories test weights and volume standards for pharmaceutical companies Products include medicines like aspirin, antibiotics, vaccines, insulin, & vitamins Products include medicines like aspirin, antibiotics, vaccines, insulin, & vitamins

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Defense Industry Metrology laboratories test standards for many military and defense companies These companies make the guidance systems for the Patriot missiles and other things that are top secret

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Space Station, Satellites…. Metrology laboratories test standards for many companies that provide parts of the space shuttle Metrology laboratories test standards for many companies that provide parts of the space shuttle These parts include the metal, heat shield, electronics, fabrics, o-rings, optics, and tires These parts include the metal, heat shield, electronics, fabrics, o-rings, optics, and tires

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Retail Measurements State metrology laboratories test standards used to test retail scales and meters State metrology laboratories test standards used to test retail scales and meters These include gas pumps, produce scales, milk, bread and other packaged items, and price scanning systems These include gas pumps, produce scales, milk, bread and other packaged items, and price scanning systems

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Weights and Measures measurements affect more than $6.6 trillion of the $13.2 trillion U.S. GDP (1996) Who Needs Accurate Measurements? Everybody!

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Interested in Metrology? Academic Subjects Physical Science Physics Material Properties MathFormula Statistical Analysis Computer Science AutomationProgramming Database Building Writing Skills Technical Writing Management Systems

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Interested in Metrology? Academic Subjects Physical Science Physics Material Properties MathFormula Statistical Analysis Computer Science AutomationProgramming Database Building Writing Skills Technical Writing Management Systems “Metrology community is facing a shortage of qualified, trained metrology personnel across the U.S.”

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Metrology Ambassador Program

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT For More Information NCSL International (NCSLI) Special Thanks to FreeFoto.com, Developed by NCSLI Committee 164

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Special Thanks to FreeFoto.com, Microsoft Office Clipart Presentation Developed by NCSLI Committee 164

NCSL INTERNATIONAL SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT Questions, Comments, Suggestions?