NIST

An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce

Founded in 1901, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a nonregulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. With headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland, NIST’s mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 12:03
Avoiding the Crack of Doom New imaging technique reveals how mechanical damage begins at the molecular scale
Wed, 11/13/2019 - 12:02
Just as a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, the deformations and fractures that cause catastrophic failure in materials begin with a few molecules torn out of place. This in turn leads to a cascade of damage at increasingly larger…
Precise Temperature Measurements With Invisible Light Novel infrared thermometer offers dramatically improved performance
Wed, 07/10/2019 - 12:01
Ordinarily, you won’t encounter a radiation thermometer until somebody puts one in your ear at the doctor’s office, or you point one at your forehead when you’re feeling feverish. But more sophisticated and highly calibrated, research-grade “…
Mini Toolkit for Measurements New NIST chip hints at quantum sensors of the future
Thu, 05/23/2019 - 21:22
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a chip on which laser light interacts with a tiny cloud of atoms to serve as a miniature toolkit for measuring important quantities,…
NIST Announces 2019 Opportunities for Small Businesses Process concerns technology feasibility, commercial potential, and transition to marketplace

Wed, 04/10/2019 - 12:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a nonregulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has announced the fiscal year 2019 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Notice of Funding…
New X-ray Measurement Approach Could Improve CT Scanners Better calibration could make diagnosis more efficient and less costly
Wed, 04/03/2019 - 12:01
A new measurement approach proposed by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) could lead to a better way to calibrate computed tomography (CT) scanners, potentially streamlining patient treatment by improving…
NIST: Blockchain Provides Security, Traceability for Smart Manufacturing Tamper-proof data transmission, traceability of data to all participants in the production process
Mon, 03/04/2019 - 12:02
Engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) needed a way to secure smart manufacturing systems using the digital thread, so they turned to the new kid on the block... blockchain, that is. According to a new NIST report,…
NIST Antenna Evaluation Method Could Boost 5G Network Capacity, Cut Costs First detailed measurement-based study of how antenna beamwidth, orientation interact with environment
Wed, 01/09/2019 - 12:00
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method for evaluating and selecting optimal antenna designs for future fifth-generation (5G) cellphones, other wireless devices and base stations. The new…
‘Smart Mirror’ Chip-Sized Device Could Help Manufacturers Measure Laser Power in Real Time
Thu, 12/13/2018 - 11:50
(NIST: Gaithersberg, MD) -- Lasers play roles in many manufacturing processes, from welding car parts to crafting engine components with 3D printers.* To control these tasks, manufacturers must ensure that their lasers fire at the correct power.…
Historic Vote Ties Kilogram and Other Units to Natural Constants at the 26th General Conference of Weights and Measures
Wed, 12/05/2018 - 12:54
A convocation of delegates representing 60 countries voted last month in Versailles, France, to implement the most significant change to the International System of Units (SI) in more than 130 years. For the first time, all measurement units will be…
Historic Vote Ties Kilogram and Other Units to Natural Constants The change could inspire new technologies and reduce the cost of calibrating industrial processes and scientific instruments
Wed, 12/05/2018 - 12:01
A convocation of delegates representing 60 countries voted last month in Versailles, France, to implement the most significant change to the International System of Units (SI) in more than 130 years. For the first time, all measurement units will be…