National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST is updating our Privacy Framework to seamlessly integrate with our Cybersecurity Framework. We’ve made changes to respond to stakeholder needs and make the document easier to use. Feedback on the draft is due June 6! https://lnkd.in/gU72gdFi #Privacy #Cybersecurity #Feedback

The rules that govern the smallest particles in nature are known as quantum mechanics, and quantum mechanics allows us a glimpse into how the tiniest things in our universe behave. The behavior of those tiny particles can seem strange compared to what we’re used to seeing.  But quantum mechanics is simply a poem the universe has written to us about its most fundamental workings. The language of that poem is mathematics, says NIST physicist Krister Shalm.  Researchers are now using that poem to try to build sources of entangled particles of light known as photons that can enable quantum communication over long distances. This work has the potential to power new kinds of secure communication methods.  Celebrate World Quantum Day by leaping over to our latest Taking Measure blog post to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGPEzDf9 #Quantum #IYQ25 #WorldQuantumDay #WorldQuantumDayEveryDay2025 

Three members of NIST’s National Construction Safety Team (NCST) investigating the June 2021 partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, Florida, shared technical details of the investigation’s progress with members of the structural engineering professional community. This outreach will help ensure that the team’s findings and recommendations lead to improvements to codes, standards and practices that can prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eye7uCF8

NIST technology and expertise have made possible some of the most detailed information revealed to date about the universe. From 2017-2022, the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile made measurements of the first light of the universe, known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB). This light provides information about the early universe and how it evolved into what we see in the sky today. After years of data analysis, ACT released its final results earlier this month. What does this have to do with NIST? NIST developed and built a multi-color imaging array to help the Atacama telescope take pictures of the CMB. It was technology that didn’t exist prior to this telescope. With the help of NIST’s camera, ACT has helped to provide the most precise measurements to date of the universe’s age (13.77 billion years), mass composition (5 percent ordinary matter, 25 percent invisible dark matter, and 70 percent “dark energy”), and the speed at which the universe is expanding (67-68 kilometers per second per megaparsec). “This result is the culmination of a decade of work from many scientists,” says NIST’s Hannes Hubmayr. “To understand how the universe works at a fundamental level takes dedication to say the least.  This is a large achievement and NIST made significant and valuable contributions.” Learn more about NIST’s cosmological camera:  https://lnkd.in/eGpZagiZ #Space #Telescope #Technology #Data #Science

Is this the latest design by Lisa Frank? No! It’s a diagram of crystals in a 3D printed metal. Almost all solid metals are made of repeating patterns of atoms or “crystals.” Understanding the crystal structure of these metals is an important step in improving metal 3D printing. Metal 3D printers use lasers to rapidly fuse metal dust into solid shapes. This process has a dramatic effect on the metal’s crystal grains But the pattern doesn’t face the same way everywhere, it’s separated into grains where the crystal pattern faces different directions. The size, shape, and direction of these grains controls how the metal behaves overall. For example, smaller grains generally make the metal stronger. This diagram, which appeared on the cover of the journal Metals, is a microscopic cross-section of a piece of metal called Inconel. Each color represents an area where the crystal is facing a different direction. The cubes show the way the crystal is facing in each section. the color also helps show the direction of the crystal. Red means a flat face is pointing up while blue means a corner is pointing up. This research was conducted in partnership with University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Los Alamos National Laboratory. You can read the journal article and see more of these images here: https://lnkd.in/eeAb9iAe #AdditiveManufacturing #CrystalPatterns #Technology #3DPrinting

This is a quasicrystal, a rare crystal shape that only forms under extreme conditions. NIST scientists have discovered this quasicrystal in a new 3-D printed aluminum alloy.  In a quasicrystal, atoms lock together into an arrangement that has symmetry, yet never repeats. This irregularity is one of the keys to this alloy’s strength. Read more about the research here: https://lnkd.in/eQhtdrAB #AdditiveManufacturing #3DPrinting #ScienceBreakthrough #InnovativeMaterials #Innovation

🚀 NIST Achieves First-Ever International Comparison in High-Power Laser Calibrations! 🚀   NIST has achieved a monumental milestone in metrology by completing the first-ever comparison between national metrology institutes in the kilowatt power regime. Using our innovative Radiation Pressure Power Meter, NIST successfully collaborated with Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, PTB in Germany to set a new standard for high-precision laser power measurements. This achievement not only underscores the power of global collaboration but also strengthens the accuracy and reliability of laser calibrations across industries like advanced manufacturing and materials processing. This is a major leap forward in metrology! Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8sRd7tg #Metrology #Innovation #LaserTechnology #ResearchExcellence #ScientificCollaboration 

Spectroscopy: It may not be a household term, but it’s one of the most popular and powerful measurement techniques in science.  Scientists use spectroscopy to   - analyze starlight and other signals from outer space  - define the ticks in atomic clocks,   - detect chemical pollutants in the air,   - determine what soil, clothing and trash are made of, and   - sniff out pathogens and drugs in people’s breath. Recent advances have made spectroscopy more important than ever. Click to learn more about this powerhouse measurement technique. https://lnkd.in/gH_JTG9X #Technology #Physics #Spectroscopy #Science

Have you ever wondered how we measure gas flow through challenging environments such as natural gas pipelines? Meet the Big Blue Ball!     This giant spherical vessel uses a technique known as acoustic thermometry to quickly and accurately calculate the average gas temperature, thereby helping calibrate flowmeters for large-scale operations.     Why does it matter? Trillions of cubic feet of natural gas are imported and exported from the U.S every year with flowmeters acting as the cash register. Accurate calibration of large flowmeters at high flows and pressures is necessary to reduce cost, increase efficiency, and streamline the calibration process. Large vessels such as the Big Blue Ball can make calibrations faster and more reliable, boosting energy measurement precision for everyone. #Flowmeters #STEM #Gas #NaturalGas #Calibrations

From thermostats to baby monitors, “smart” or “connected” devices have become so common that it can be hard to find household items without these features. With the convenience of these items comes potential security and privacy risks.  The good news is that there are plenty of simple steps you can take to reduce the security and privacy risks in your smart home. A NIST cybersecurity researcher uses these research-based tips in her own life, and you can, too.  Learn more in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://lnkd.in/eskgTCbn #Cybersecurity #Privacy #Security