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, 08/22/2012 - 12:11
How Do You Ensure That a Tape Measure is Accurate?The short answer
Tue, 08/02/2022 - 12:03
Y
ou need to measure length accurately to do things like make a dress, build a house, survey a plot of land, or determine if the home team made a first down on the football field. These length measurements and many others are often made with…
NIST Updates Cybersecurity Guidance for Supply Chain Risk ManagementThe publication’s revisions form part of NIST’s response to an executive order regarding cybersecurity

Thu, 06/02/2022 - 12:01
A vulnerable spot in global commerce is the supply chain: It enables technology developers and vendors to create and deliver innovative products but can leave businesses, their finished wares, and ultimately their consumers open to cyberattacks. A…
Inspired by Prehistoric Creatures, NIST Researchers Make Record-Setting LensesDrawing lessons from the compound eyes of trilobites, NIST researchers fabricate tiny lenses that see both near and far.

Mon, 05/16/2022 - 12:02
Five hundred million years ago, the oceans teemed with trillions of trilobites—creatures that were distant cousins of horseshoe crabs. All trilobites had a wide range of vision, thanks to compound eyes—single eyes composed of tens to thousands of…
NIST Researchers Propose Method for Modeling Smart Sensor Interoperability in Smart GridsGetting all the gadgets and gizmos on the same page
Tue, 05/10/2022 - 12:02
Smart sensors play a critical role in smart grids, supporting bidirectional flows of energy. Such sensors are needed for real-time monitoring of energy flow; controlling power generation, transmission, and distribution to customers; and protecting…
Revamped Design Could Take Powerful Biological Computers From the Test Tube to the CellCan using RNA like a circuit breaker make it a computer?
Wed, 05/04/2022 - 12:02
Tiny biological computers made of DNA could revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat a slew of diseases, once the technology is fully fleshed out. However, a major stumbling block for these DNA-based devices, which can operate in both cells and…
Ultraviolet Light Can Clean N95 Masks for Reuse Without Hindering PerformanceNIST examines disinfection methods that could be critical in the future if PPE supply is low
Wed, 04/27/2022 - 12:01
To combat Covid-19 amid supply shortages in 2020, healthcare facilities across the United States resorted to disinfecting personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, for reuse with methods such as ultraviolet (UV) light. But questions…
NIST Discovery Could Increase Accuracy in Measuring Blood Flow Could help in cancer diagnosis, other applications
Thu, 04/14/2022 - 12:02
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered a potential source of error when using acoustic waves to measure the properties of fluids such as blood. Their discovery raises the possibility of more accurate…
There’s More to AI Bias Than Biased Data, NIST ReportsRooting out bias in artificial intelligence will require addressing human and systemic biases, too

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 12:02
As a step toward improving our ability to identify and manage the harmful effects of bias in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommend widening the scope of where we look…
NIST Announces Funding Opportunities for MEP Centers in Four StatesAwards available in Kentucky, Nebraska, Rhode Island and South Dakota
Wed, 03/23/2022 - 12:21
(NIST: Gaithersburg, Maryland) — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is accepting applications from eligible organizations to operate Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers in Kentucky,…
How Do You Know You’re Getting What You Pay For at the Grocery Store?The short answer: Standard weights, rigorous procedures, and state inspectors ensure measurements are fair and accurate
Mon, 03/21/2022 - 12:03
Whether it’s bananas, olives, potato salad, or cereal, many products are priced according to their weight. That weight is likely determined on a scale tested and certified by a specially trained state or local inspector. Weights and measures…