National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. For all those who forgot or didn't have time to shop yet, we have something that might help. We made Valentine’s cards that you can share with that special someone in your life. https://lnkd.in/etXKdqtX

Are you curious about how NIST’s reference materials impact biopharmaceuticals? Join NIST researchers, Megan Cleveland and Katharina Yandrofski, on Feb. 17, 7–8 PM (EST) for the Rockville Science Cafe Lecture Series! Topic: The Biomanufacturing Toolkit: Inside the Science of NISTmAb and NISTCHO. Learn how scientists standardize the manufacturing and measurement of modern medicine. This talk is free and open to all! Register to get the Zoom link: https://lnkd.in/eAh-7NdR

NIST’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program allocated $3.19 million to eight small businesses advancing AI, medical diagnostics, biotechnology, semiconductors, quantum and more. These are Phase II SBIR awards, granted in September 2025, which fund R&D prototyping of innovative technologies proposed during Phase I. Learn more about the awardees: https://lnkd.in/eyym_vqF #SmallBusiness #AI #Biotechnology #Semiconductors #Quantum

Freeze-dried human liver tissue, house dust, and five other NIST reference materials are now orbiting in the International Space Station, 400 kilometers above Earth. When these samples return to Earth, scientists will analyze them to measure any changes caused by microgravity and cosmic radiation. The results will support future biomedical research, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing in space. Rhodium Scientific, Office of Space Commerce #ISS #InternationalSpaceStation Photo Credit: NASA

What’s this spherical object with eyes? It’s called an MRI system phantom. Phantoms are scientific devices used by the biomedical research community as stand-ins for humans. These devices contain materials such as salt solutions or gels that mimic the responses of human tissue under specific conditions. They make sure that systems and methods used for imaging the human body, such as MRI scanners, are working like they’re supposed to and help alert us to any changes in MRI systems over time. This specific phantom is frequently used with MRI setups designed for the head. Hence, the eyes taped on the phantom, which help position it correctly in the machine. Phantoms can also be used to assess images of the whole body and not just the brain. NIST researchers develop different types of phantoms to make sure medical images provide reliable and quantitative information, not just pretty pictures.

It’s the day of the Opening Ceremony. The snow is flying. The skates are sharpened. The numbers are in metric. We converted some of these measurements and added a few fun comparisons to show just how wild some of these winter sports really are. Signed, Your friendly neighborhood mathletes

How do you build a quantum network that links quantum computers, sensors and more? You start by mastering light at the level of a single particle: the photon. NIST continues to improve technology that can produce one photon at a time. These quantum light sources are small enough to fit on a chip but powerful enough to change how we process information. Based on tiny structures called quantum dots, these devices can spit out one photon at a time, exactly when needed. Powerful computers, globe-spanning networks, quantum sensors and new lighting designs are just some of the cutting-edge technologies that could be enabled by reliable single-photon sources. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ehZUuxsr

GPS has mostly solved the problem of outdoor navigation, but it is often unreliable indoors. This problem is even worse for high-rise buildings, which use more building materials and are often built in dense, urban environments. Tracking first responders inside these types of buildings is a challenge. NIST and our partners are working to change that. Learn more in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://lnkd.in/eUaXWfcs

Plasma reactors are critical for manufacturing the semiconductor chips in today’s electronics and the technologies of tomorrow. But there’s some guesswork related to exactly what happens chemically when plasma interacts with a semiconductor wafer. The small knowledge gap is too large for NIST’s liking. That’s why we have the plasma reactor system shown here. Our researchers are making measurements of the chemistry as it happens, observing the way molecules are changing. #Semiconductor #Electronics #PlasmaReactor

NIST's Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (or the AMMT, shown here) was designed to research laser-based metal 3D printing processes, which can be useful for developing pieces used in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical and electronics industries.  Using additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, manufacturers can design and produce a metal part for an airplane. But before that part can go into an aircraft and lift passengers into the air, they need to know that it will be durable and withstand the forces in play during flight. The variables in play during that printing process -- such as temperature and laser power during the 3D printing process -- make a big difference in how the final product turns out. This testbed allows us to make world-class measurements of the complex physical phenomena that go into the metals additive manufacturing process, helping manufacturers across the United States.