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
What the New ASTM E617 Standard Means for NIST Handbook 105-1 Updates to ASTM E617 enhance precision requirements for calibration weights, influencing standards outlined in the NIST handbook
Wed, 03/05/2025 - 12:02
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- As part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is responsible for harmonizing international and national documentary standards with those used by the U.S.…
New Atom-Based Thermometer Measures Temperature More Accurately Could simplify temperature sensing in extreme environments
Tue, 02/11/2025 - 00:02
Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a new thermometer using atoms boosted to such high energy levels that they are 1,000 times larger than normal. By monitoring how these giant “Rydberg” atoms…
Legal Metrology Maintaining our trust in measurements
Tue, 02/04/2025 - 00:02
Without us realizing it, metrology and its associated standards and services play a big role in our daily lives. We buy groceries that are weighed or measured. Prepackaged products are weighed or measured during production. Medicine at the pharmacy…
Announcing the 2025 Baldrige Award Criteria The nation’s highest recognition for excellence in organizational performance
Thu, 01/02/2025 - 12:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The process for the 2025 Baldrige Award, the nation’s highest recognition for excellence in organizational performance, is now underway with the 2025 Baldrige Award Criteria now available. The Baldrige Award Criteria are…
From the Garden State to the Magnolia State Mississippi Polymer Institute provides solutions to technology challenges
Wed, 12/18/2024 - 23:59
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Manufacturers sometimes face technical challenges beyond the scope of in-house expertise or experience. It’s important for them to focus on finding the right partners and advisors to help them navigate these obstacles and…
NIST Announces 2024 Baldrige Awards for Performance Excellence Role-model organizations recognized
Wed, 11/06/2024 - 23:59
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced that five organizations will receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential award…
Smart New Laser Technology Can Monitor Greenhouse Gases Faster, More Sensitively Measures gases by homing in on the most information-rich parts of a sample
Mon, 11/04/2024 - 12:01
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new laser-based technique that could dramatically improve our ability to analyze a variety of materials and gases, including…
NIST Awards $15 Million to ASTM International to Establish Standardization Center of Excellence To support U.S. engagement in critical and emerging technologies
Mon, 11/04/2024 - 12:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $15 million for a center of excellence to support U.S. engagement in international standardization for critical and…
Hands-On Leadership Development From the Baldrige Executive Fellows Program
Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The Baldrige Executive Fellows Program is a one-year, nationally ranked leadership development experience for direct reports to the most senior leader in the organization or business unit leaders. The program prepares…
Biden Administration Announces First CHIPS Commercial Fabrication Facilities Award Investment expected to nearly double U.S. production capacity of sensor and power chips
Tue, 10/08/2024 - 12:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce has made its first award under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities of up to $123 million in direct funding to Polar Semiconductor (Polar…