Namaste Yogis. Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered! As a bonus, a proverb is also included. Today’s question, was submitted by Jose in Miami and he asks what is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)?
Jose, you came to the right place. NIST is not a well-known federal agency, nevertheless it has an important function. Let’s quickly review its history, mission, organization, followed by an overview of its six laboratories.
NIST BACKGROUND
I was surprised to learn NIST was established in 1901. Holy foresight, Batman! NIST is an independent agency, meaning it has its own Administrator, but falls within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST says its 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.”
We should not be surprised to learn NIST is among the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories. Furthermore, it’s no surprise that Congress established NIST in 1901. Why? At the time the USA was a rising industrial star with an eye on catching and surpassing the UK and Germany. For our factories and industries to effectively compete, the USA required standardized measurements and technology. Understanding the moment, USA leaders used public policy to push industrialization, akin to what China does today and we continue to do with the CHIPS Act as the most recent example. Nothing new, Batman!
Of course, the agency has evolved and today NIST functions with a core competency of measurement science, rigorous traceability, and development and use of standards. NIST received an enormous vote of confidence from President Biden when he issued Executive Order (EO) 14110:
The EO assigned NIST a prominent role in artificial intelligence policies and programs, specifically related to research, development, and implementation.
NIST Six Laboratories:
Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL). According to NIST, the Communications Technology Lab was established in 2014 to unite their many wireless communications efforts. CTL focuses on developing precision instrumentation and creating test protocols, models, and simulation tools to enable a range of emerging wireless technologies. Is that your Bat-Phone ringing?!
Engineering Laboratory. The Engineering Laboratory has a broad mandate of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. Using its discretion, EL built the following portfolio: 1) advanced manufacturing; 2) disaster resistant buildings, infrastructure, and communities; and 3) sustainable and energy efficient manufacturing, materials, and infrastructure. Holy resistant to hurricanes, Batman!
Information Technology Laboratory. ITL claims its mission is to cultivate trust in information technology and metrology. ITL uses, its non-regulatory influence, and world-class measurement and testing facilities, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and systems engineering to achieve the mission.
Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) conducts measurement science research. MML is focused on research related to industries in the chemical, biological and material sciences fields. MML researchers perform fundamental and applied research, evaluate data, and create other programs and tools to assure the quality of measurement results.
Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). PML is dedicated to measuring. PML’s activities range from fundamental measurement research through provision of measurement services, standards, and data across the following areas:
- length, mass, force and shock, acceleration
- time and frequency
- electricity, temperature, humidity
- pressure and vacuum
- liquid and gas flow
- electromagnetic, optical, microwave, acoustic, ultrasonic, and ionizing radiation
I wrap it up with a proverb from Finland: There are always people to grab the branches when there are people to carry the spruce.
Until next time,
Yogi Nelson
Blockchain & AI Forum 