1. Metrology The Science of Measurement
164 Education Liaison & Outreach
This is set up to be an interactive presentation. There are suggested points in the presentation to engage the crowd with questions, I suggest giving mini candy bars for rewards for participation. Keep attention and energy level high.
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2. Let’s take a trip back in time…
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3. Prehistoric people didn’t have time to measure
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4. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
But over time….
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5. people started growing food
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6. and developing permanent settlements
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7. So, they needed a system of measurement…
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8. or there would be mayhem!
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9. History of Measurement
Quiz crowd to guess time of first standard, maybe give definition of standard
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10. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Egyptian Cubit
Used to build pyramids
Dependent on the pharaoh
Missed calibration was punishable by death!
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11. Fast-forward 5000 years to current measurement systems
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12. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metric System (SI)
SEVEN BASE UNITS
Mass Kilogram (kg)
Length Meter (m)
Time Second (s)
Temperature Kelvin (K)
Electric Current Ampere (A)
Amount of Substance Mole (mol)
Luminous Intensity Candela (cd)
International System
of Measurement
Quiz crowd to name all base units
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13. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metric System (SI)
Simple to use
Bases of ten
All other units derived from primary seven
For example: V = cm3 = 1 mL
Maybe quiz crowd about benefits of using metric system
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14. Now, a couple of definitions…
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15. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metrology
“the science that deals with measurement”
Measure
“to determine the dimension, quantity or capacity of something”
Quiz crowd about definitions
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16. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metrology Concepts
Uncertainty
Value assigned to a measurement result that characterizes how well it is known/unknown
Potential Value
Measurement Result
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17. Metrology Concepts Traceability
Unbroken chain of comparisons to the SI units, all having stated uncertainties
NMI
You, the Consumer
Inaccurate Measurements
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18. 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 standard
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19. Calibration Technician
Metrologist
Designs and runs measurement calibrations & tests
Analyzes the results
Determines the final accuracy of the device under test
Calibration Engineer
Calibration Technician
Metrologist
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20. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metrology Careers
Scientific Metrology
Organization and development of measurement standards and their maintenance (highest level)
NIST Atomic Clock
Accurate to 1 s in 20 million years
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21. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metrology Careers
Industrial Metrology
Adequate functioning of measurement instruments used in industry as well as production and testing processes
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22. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Metrology Careers
Legal Metrology
Measurements that influence economic transactions, health and safety
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23. Who Needs Accurate Measurements?
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24. Pharmaceutical Industry
Metrology laboratories test weights and volume standards for pharmaceutical companies
Products include medicines like aspirin, antibiotics, vaccines, insulin, & vitamins
FDA requires them to maintain measurement control of all quantities of materials during research (fines as much as $10,000 for failure to control quantities).
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25. 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
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26. Space Station, Satellites….
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
Shuttle failures were measurement problems.
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27. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
Retail Measurements
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
The labs don’t test the gas pumps…..
State metrology laboratories test standards used by enforcement officials to test measuring systems used in retail.
These systems include….
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28. Who Needs Accurate Measurements? Everybody!
Weights and Measures measurements
affect more than $6.6 trillion of the $13.2 trillion
U.S. GDP (1996)
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29. Interested in Metrology?
Academic Subjects
Physical Science
Physics
Material Properties
Math
Formula
Statistical Analysis
Computer Science
Automation
Programming
Database Building
Writing Skills
Technical Writing
Management Systems
Preparation for Metrology Career
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30. Interested in Metrology?
“Metrology community is facing a shortage of
qualified, trained metrology personnel across the U.S.”
Academic Subjects
Physical Science
Physics
Material Properties
Math
Formula
Statistical Analysis
Computer Science
Automation
Programming
Database Building
Writing Skills
Technical Writing
Management Systems
Preparation for Metrology Career
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31. SERVING THE WORLD OF MEASUREMENT
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32. For More Information NCSL International (NCSLI) www.ncsli.org
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Special Thanks to FreeFoto.com,
Developed by
NCSLI Committee 164

33. FreeFoto.com, www.sxc.hu, Microsoft Office Clipart
Special Thanks to
FreeFoto.com, Microsoft Office Clipart
Presentation Developed by
NCSLI Committee 164
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34. Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
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