National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

The proper functioning of the supply chain involves manufacturing parts with precise dimensions. This precision varies by applications, but high-end mechanical parts sometimes require an accuracy of a few micrometers (just a fraction of the diameter of a human hair). NIST provides precision measurement of length for high-value manufacturing industries and scientific research institutions. Calibrated gage blocks ensure that accurate size standards are used in the thousands of manufacturing sites and machine shops throughout the United States. Billions of accurate dimensional measurements performed each day guarantee that the parts will fit and operate as intended, regardless of their source.

We heard 2026 is the new 2016 😎 #Throwback

During the past decade, our Taking Measure blog has explored topics ranging from the metric system to microbiology. This week, we celebrate Taking Measure’s 10th anniversary by looking back at 10 memorable posts: https://lnkd.in/ecAFUyTM

Join us in congratulating Martin Stanley on being selected as the winner of the 2025 AI Evangelist Flywheel Award, which recognizes leaders dedicated to advancing ethical and responsible use of AI. As an AI and Cybersecurity Researcher at NIST, Martin promotes the adoption of the NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework to drive innovation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiEE9XAR 

Picture yourself at NIST.     Calling all high school students and undergraduates! We’re now accepting applications for our 2026 summer internship programs.    Gain valuable, hands-on experiences in the labs of one of the world’s leading research organizations. Applications are due by January 26th.     Check out the links in the comments to apply. 👇 👇 👇 

Tanya Brown-Giammanco, NIST’s Director of Disaster and Failure Studies, was announced as a finalist for the 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award. Tanya’s work exemplifies public service and real-world impact. She currently oversees NCST investigations on the effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, FL. You can help Tanya receive this award by voting for her. Voting closes on January 30th. 👉 https://lnkd.in/drpHQwCB

When you go to a medical appointment, does the doctor look at you while you talk? Or are they busy typing what you say into a computer? If it’s the latter, you may find this will change soon, thanks to AI. However, if AI is going to be used for such a critical purpose, it must be done with careful standards. Learn more in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://lnkd.in/eRgJ-52B

It’s no longer enough to know the time on Earth. We’ll have to keep track of tiny time differences on Mars if we are to establish properly synchronized communication networks there. Global navigation on the red planet will also require dedicated GPS systems, which means there will also be Martian atomic clocks. A similar scenario applies to the Moon. To learn about more NIST research on our solar system and beyond, visit our recently revamped Measuring the Cosmos pages in this edition of Tech Beat.

A day on Earth was once just a few hours long. Over billions of years, it grew to the 24-hour period we know today. But even our familiar 24-hour day is much less steady than it seems. A jittery moon, changes deepen within Earth’s core and even the damming of rivers can all change how long it takes for our planet to spin on its axis. Right now, for mysterious reasons, the day is getting shorter. If this goes on long enough, we may need to subtract a second from official time — something that has never been done. NIST experts are among those preparing for a possible “negative leap second.” Why does something as seemingly steady as the day keeping changing, and how does it affect our lives? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXf3pxd2

Did you know that fewer than 10% of plastic products in the U.S. are recycled? One of the biggest hurdles is the molecular complexity of plastic. Plastic isn’t just one material. Plastics are made of myriad polymers, additives and pigments that can be difficult to disentangle into the clean waste streams needed to create high-quality recycled goods. Here’s where measurement science comes in. Using “spectral fingerprints” of different plastic types, scientists have found ways to quickly and efficiently separate plastics, boosting recycling rates. Understanding the molecular makeup of our waste is the first step toward a true circular economy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTq7etMS