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
Is Your Microrobot Up for the (NIST) Challenge? Get ready for the 2010 NIST Mobile Microrobotics Challenge.
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 16:57
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The scientists and engineers who introduced the world to tiny robots demonstrating soccer skills are creating the next level of friendly competition designed to advance microrobotics—the field devoted to the construction…
NIST Reveals Method for Calibrating Waveforms New method improves accuracy in calibrations of oscilloscopes.
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 15:30
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has unveiled a method for calibrating entire waveforms—graphical shapes showing how electrical signals vary over time—rather than just parts of waveforms as is current practice. The new…
New Beryllium Reference Material for Occupational Safety Monitoring Material to dramatically improve methods used to monitor workers’ exposure and aid in contamination control.
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 15:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with private industry and other government agencies, have produced a new reference material for beryllium. Beryllium, an exotic…
Updated NIST Master Plan Sent to Capital Planning Commission The document lists planned and possible future additions and improvements to the Gaithersburg campus.
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 04:30
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Planned and potential expansions and new facilities across campus, the addition of 400–500 kilowatts in power from solar panels, and increasing the already heavy use of alternative transportation by employees to a daily…
Gallagher Nominated to be 14th NIST Director
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 14:18
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- On Sept. 10, the White House announced President Barack Obama’s intention to nominate physicist Patrick Gallagher to be the 14th director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Gallagher, 46, is…
Diamonds Could be Used as Microscale MRI Probes It may be possible to probe individual drug molecules and living cells.
Sat, 09/26/2009 - 11:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Diamonds, it has long been said, are a girl’s best friend. But a research team including a physicist from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently found1 that the gems might turn out to be a…
NIST’s New Nano-Ruler Sets Some Very Small Marks How many zeros are in nano?
Wed, 09/23/2009 - 16:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a new ruler and even for an organization that routinely deals in superlatives, it sets some records. Designed to be the most accurate commercially…
Fifteen to Receive Site Visits as Next Step Toward 2009 Baldrige Award The 2009 Baldrige Award recipients are expected to be announced in late November.
Wed, 09/23/2009 - 13:00
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The panel of judges for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest recognition for organizational performance excellence, has selected 15 organizations for the final review stage for the 2009 award…
Product News: 17 Years of Baldrige Scoring Data Now Available See how you stack up.
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 15:42
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Baldrige National Quality Program recently published “blinded” (anonymous) scoring data on 1,033 applicants for the Baldrige National Quality Award during…
Prototype NIST Method Detects and Measures Elusive Hazards Prototype method is more sensitive than conventional techniques.
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 15:27
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- A chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has demonstrated a relatively simple, inexpensive method for detecting and measuring elusive hazards such as concealed explosives and toxins,…