An Assessment of the Material Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Fiscal Year 2023 (2023) / Chapter Skim
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6 Chemical Sciences Division
6 Chemical Sciences Division
Pages 38-49
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From page 38... ...
The large numbers of standard reference materials that are handled by the division are indicative of the importance of the NIST reference materials program, particularly within Chemical Sciences Division, whose leadership accurately describes the reference materials as indispensable core services to industry. The motivation behind these activities is the need for regulatory rigor that is stipulated by legislation and by industry, which needs accurate measurement in order to be competitive.
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From page 39... ...
The breadth of the division's work is challenging, but it has been able to achieve accuracy and precision in metrology that enable industry and other research institutions to conduct their functions. Accomplishments Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group The Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group provides a wide range of measurement services that encompass reference measurement procedures, quality assurance programs, and reference materials.
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From page 40... ...
The Chemical Process and Nuclear Methods Group's research emphasizes measurement of rate constants for atmospherically relevant reactions, CO2 conversion reactions on surfaces, and the advancement of the measurement science of nanoplastics in water. The neutron activation research focuses on characterizing standard reference materials, specifically glass standard reference materials needed by the forensic science community.
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From page 41... ...
Biospecimen Science Group Another important research capability is the NIST Biorepository and Cryogenic Reference Material Production Facility, which is situated in the Hollings Marine Laboratory and staffed by the Biospecimen Science Group. The group develops methods for generating cryogenic standard reference materials, and approaches for preserving those standards using advanced cryogenic storage technology to ensure stability and reproducibility.
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From page 42... ...
The pricing of the standard reference materials in some cases may not be commensurate with the cost of starting materials, instrumentation, and PhD staff time that are needed for production and technical support. Funding challenges result in a need to emphasize standard reference material production, which generates a revenue stream.
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From page 43... ...
The division's scientific expertise is strengthened by ongoing interactions with Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and other national metrology institutes. This ensures and builds the credibility of the Chemical Sciences Division staff among peer organizations worldwide.
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From page 44... ...
The Chemical Sciences Division combined its in-house expertise in neutron activation analysis with fabrication expertise at Corning Glass to produce unique glass standards that have been used to calibrate instrumentation at local forensics laboratories, of sufficient quality to be admissible to courts of law. Challenges and Opportunities In multiple areas, the demand for standard reference materials and standard reference data is so great that staff lack the time to pursue improvements in production efficiency, measurement capabilities, or research.
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From page 45... ...
This problem was particularly apparent in the Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group, which relies on funding from sales of reference materials, requiring the group to prioritize standard reference material production and thus limiting the ability of the group to address new challenges. It was noted that efforts on Mpox characterization were not explicitly funded, but nevertheless were required as part of the Chemical Sciences Division's research scope.
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From page 46... ...
Lastly, in the culture of the laboratory, standard reference material and standard reference data production operations have not historically been esteemed as highly as have the more basic measurement research and development activities, in part because the latter present more opportunity for publications and patents. However, there has been a noteworthy evolution in culture regarding the perceived hierarchy between standard reference material production and research within Chemical Sciences Division.
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From page 47... ...
All of the challenges discussed above will be exacerbated as competition between the needs of the existing program portfolio and scope of anticipated new work emerging from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Facilities Chemical Sciences Division leadership noted an ongoing need for more laboratory space, an observation consistent with the division's increasing scope of research.
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From page 48... ...
The committee believes that with regards to the stakeholders, the dissemination approaches are effective. The Chemical Sciences Division leadership is keenly attuned to the use of the division's products and employs a number of measurement and modeling tools that enable evaluation of the accuracy and precision of standard reference data, and the fidelity of standard reference materials.
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From page 49... ...
If successful, the transfer process will be a model for moving the production of other standard reference materials from the Chemical Sciences Division to outside stakeholders, which would free up staff and facilities needed for generating new data and standard reference materials. Similarly, the Biochemical and Exposure Science Group on Oahu has a strong partnership with Hawaii Pacific University, which serves as a vetted recipient for Chemical Sciences Division technology once development is complete.
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