National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Semiconductors are materials that control electricity and light. Manufacturers use them to make microchips that power cutting-edge technologies. The most common semiconductor is made of just one chemical element: silicon. But they can also be made from multiple elements, known as compound semiconductors, depending on their function. For example, semiconductors made from gallium and arsenic are great for solar cells, which convert direct sunlight into electricity. Did you know that NIST has a standard reference material (SRM) for compound semiconductors? The semiconductor thin film material, aka SRM 2841, consists of a layer of aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) that’s three millionths of a meter thick on top of a wafer (made from GaAs) that’s 1 cm by 1 cm, or about the size of a fingernail. The SRM is particularly useful for improving technologies made with AlGaAs semiconductors, such as wireless and fiber-optic communications. Manufacturers make semiconductor devices by building up layers with different properties on a wafer. They can use SRM 2841 to accurately calibrate the instruments they use to measure these layers, enabling the creation of products that are both innovative and reliable.

Did you know that continuous glucose monitors, devices used to track blood sugar, don’t actually measure your blood? For millions of people with diabetes, keeping blood sugar in a healthy range is a daily struggle. Small, wearable continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have revolutionized this process. Typically worn on the arm or stomach, these devices track glucose levels continuously throughout the day. But to do this comfortably, they skip the bloodstream entirely. Instead, a tiny sensor measures glucose in the clear, watery fluid surrounding your cells. Because these real-time readings guide critical health decisions, they must be precise. So, how does a wearable sensor translate this cellular fluid into trusted data on your screen, and how does measurement science keep those readings accurate? Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezF22w2U

3D printing has matured from a speculative sci-fi fantasy into a practical tool. Plastic is the most commonly used material for 3D printing, but NIST research is helping expand 3D printing into a new area – ceramics. While it’s unlikely that 3D printing of ceramics will be common among hobbyists due to the size of the equipment, it is ideal for items such as medical implants. Learn more in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://lnkd.in/eR2Sb8M6

We are revolutionizing agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and other parts of the U.S. bioeconomy! NIST and the National Science Foundation announce the inaugural five Scholars-in-Residence awards. The awardees will work with NIST’s Living Measurements Systems Foundry and its partners. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gZBF7_HX

Researchers at NIST have developed a new water heater designed to keep bacteria at bay. Legionnaire’s disease is caused by bacteria that grows in warm water. The bacteria can become dangerous if it builds up in plumbing systems. This is particularly important in buildings with lots of plumbing, like hotels. One solution is to raise the temperature of the water heater. But a temperature that’s hot enough to kill nearly all bacteria will also burn human skin. So, the water needs to be cooled back down to a temperature that’s safe, but still warm enough for a hot shower. This new water heater design helps manage those temperatures in a way that’s energy efficient and inexpensive. This isn’t a commercial product yet, but research like this is part of the ongoing process that keeps your water safe behind the scenes. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e9zHh_Rk

Massive Saturn V rockets launched astronauts into space during the Apollo missions to the Moon in the 1960s and 1970s. Each rocket discarded a series of individual sections, known as stages, as they ran out of fuel. The first stages of the Saturn V rocket fell into the Atlantic Ocean and stayed there for more than 40 years.  Once they were retrieved, NIST metals experts analyzed and helped preserve key pieces of the rockets for history. During NIST’s 125th anniversary year, learn more about our historic preservation efforts: https://lnkd.in/etb79RWq. Photo Credit: NASA

Our staff work around the clock to provide official time for the United States. Now, the NIST Time & Frequency Division seeks candidates for its Chief position opening. Bring your strategic direction and technical management skills to this high-level, vital team for the nation. Location: Boulder, Colorado Salary range: $164,956 - $197,200 per year Open to U.S. citizens Get your application in by July 15: https://lnkd.in/eb_8J45A

"And I guess that's when I realized the true meaning of time was inside us all along... philosophically speaking, of course. In measurement terms, it's 9,192,631,770 cycles of microwave radiation for cesium-133."

Your unwanted fabrics don’t always belong in the trash. They may have another life to live. It’s estimated that 56% of clothing and textiles can be recycled or recovered, but most don’t make it back into the domestic supply chain. To help manufacturers better identify and sort textiles for repurposing, NIST has developed a set of textile materials that may serve as reference materials for the industry. Now, we’re calling on labs, manufacturers and others to test the materials’ practicality for this purpose and we’re gathering feedback to improve it. Find more information about the material and how your organization can get involved: https://lnkd.in/ec-R-bsZ

Are you curious about the impact of NIST's work on your daily life? Our "NIST In Your State" guide is a great place to start exploring! See how NIST is making a difference in your state. Explore at https://lnkd.in/eNy6fWUi