https://www.nist.gov/ Taking Measure blog posts en https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/nist-research-setting-standard-help-buildings-withstand-tornadoes Two NIST researchers have been recognized for their work to create new standards for buildings that can better withstand tornadoes. Wed, 08 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Brian Gutierrez https://www.nist.gov/node/1847671 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/nist-physicists-once-obscure-work-now-helping-researchers-learn-about-origins A NIST researcher worked in obscurity for years — until his work was needed to help us understand the origins of our universe. Wed, 01 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Ron Cowen https://www.nist.gov/node/1846011 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/measuring-microplastics-solve-problem-we-have-understand-and-measure-it My friends sometimes jokingly ask me, “How many microplastics do you think I consumed this week?” Unfortunately, the answer is not zero. Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 George Caceres https://www.nist.gov/node/1842661 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/demystifying-quantum-its-here-there-and-everywhere It’s time to celebrate World Quantum Day! But what is quantum, anyway? A NIST physicist answers your questions. Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Tara Fortier https://www.nist.gov/node/1843771 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/listening-data-how-nist-tool-helps-labs-worldwide-harmonize-measurements In a global economy, measurements need to be reliably comparable across the world. But how do we ensure that actually happens? Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Antonio Possolo https://www.nist.gov/node/1843026 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/sound-soot-how-strange-noise-can-keep-us-safer-fires Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Where there’s fire, there is soot. And where there is soot, there is … noise. Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Amy Mensch, Ryan Falkenstein-Smith https://www.nist.gov/node/1840781 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/bookmobiles-big-data-how-library-scientists-make-information-accessible-all During Women’s History Month, a NIST librarian looks back at the librarian who brought us the bookmobile — back when it brought books by horse and buggy. Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kathryn Miller https://www.nist.gov/node/1840496 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/houston-we-have-engine-remnants-how-my-lab-pieced-together-forgotten-part Like many people, I had dreams of flying into space as an astronaut when I was a child. That interest in aerospace and space exploration has continued throughout my life. Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Adam Creuziger https://www.nist.gov/node/1841561 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/measurement-movies The nominees are in … for the best use of measurement in a movie. Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Ben P. Stein https://www.nist.gov/node/1840401 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/weighing-your-purchases-how-new-laws-may-help-you-become-savvier-online-shopper When you buy something by weight or volume, you want to get what you pay for. And we’re helping to make sure that happens — whether you shop online or in a store. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 John McGuire https://www.nist.gov/node/1838941 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/leap-day-here-it-doesnt-have-be-your-standard-weekday We get an extra day this year, but why do we need a leap day every four years on Feb. 29? It all comes down to standards. Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Andrew Novick https://www.nist.gov/node/1840236 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/pokemon-physics-my-journey-perseverance-research A childhood love of video games led Samuel Márquez Gonzalez to a career in science and a NIST internship program for early career researchers. Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Samuel Márquez González https://www.nist.gov/node/1837046 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/henry-moseley-patriotic-scientist-who-changed-periodic-table-and-then-went-war At a young age, physicist Henry Moseley changed the periodic table of the elements — before dying in a bloody World War I battle. Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Miral Dizdaroglu https://www.nist.gov/node/1836581 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/polymer-scientist-wrestles-literally-and-figuratively-frustrations-plastic If you’ve resolved to be a more eco-conscious consumer this year, learn about how NIST’s circular economy lead thinks about plastic packaging in our everyday lives. Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Kate Beers https://www.nist.gov/node/1834456 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/riding-wind-how-applied-geometry-and-artificial-intelligence-can-help-us-win A NIST researcher is using math and AI to help design an optimal wind turbine. Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Zach Grey https://www.nist.gov/node/1832876 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/diamonds-your-computer-safer-medications-nist-researchers-look-whats-next-2024 Our up-and-coming researchers look ahead to 2024 and beyond — and tell us how their work will impact the world. Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.nist.gov/node/1833431 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/auld-lang-time-one-countrys-timekeepers-makes-sure-we-ring-2024-just-right As you prepare to watch the ball drop or pop champagne on New Year’s Eve, we’ll be keeping an eye on the clock — just as we always do. Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Andrew Novick https://www.nist.gov/node/1831941 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/scientific-christmas-tale ’Twas the night before Christmas; NIST staff had gone home. Our director was left to reflect all alone. She thought about NIST and the breadth of its work, from AI to fire to even the quark. Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Robin Materese https://www.nist.gov/node/1832486 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/standing-scientific-integrity-qa-writer-director-jose-ricardo-garcia-new-film In the 1950s, scientific integrity was put into question by a packet of salt. That controversy is the center of a new NIST film. Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.nist.gov/node/1832866 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/fellowship-and-fearlessness-carrying-legacy-rear-admiral-grace-hopper On her birthday, we look at the life of Rear Admiral Grace Hopper — a trailblazing woman in computing — and how we can continue to carry on her legacy. Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Carolyn Rowland, Kamie Roberts https://www.nist.gov/node/1830816 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/im-using-measurement-science-test-antibodies-and-protect-us-viruses Imagine if for the next dangerous virus, we could quickly and easily test everyone’s levels of defenses — known as antibodies. Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Jerilyn Izac https://www.nist.gov/node/1829276 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/minimizing-harms-and-maximizing-potential-generative-ai As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become more commonly used, we must think carefully about the impact on people and society. Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Elham Tabassi https://www.nist.gov/node/1830471 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/highs-and-lows-studying-aftermath-one-turkeys-deadliest-earthquakes Our goal at NIST is to not only document and learn from disasters, but to also spur innovation and make recommendations to help lessen the impact of the next disaster. Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Matthew Speicher https://www.nist.gov/node/1828411 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/think-you-know-what-second-it-will-likely-change-next-decade As the world has modernized and our pace of life has increased, our relationship to time has changed. Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Tara Fortier https://www.nist.gov/node/1828421 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/there-will-be-precisely-measured-blood-haunted-house-tour-through-nists This spooky season, join us for a haunted house tour of the scariest standard reference materials in our labs. Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Megan King https://www.nist.gov/node/1826671 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/stay-safe-and-secure-online-during-cybersecurity-awareness-month-and-all-year For advice you can use about online security and privacy, check out these tips from NIST experts. Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Chad Boutin https://www.nist.gov/node/1828496 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/my-research-can-help-protect-you-and-your-company-hackers-trying-steal-your During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, learn how NIST is helping organizations improve their phishing training - keeping all of our information safer. Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Shanée Dawkins https://www.nist.gov/node/1826936 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/microplastics-mystery-sampling-airborne-microplastics-recycling-facility During National Hispanic Heritage Month, a NIST researcher shares how her upbringing in Puerto Rico inspired her to study air quality. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Diana Ortiz-Montalvo https://www.nist.gov/node/1827246 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/reaching-stars-my-summer-internship-learning-about-spectroscopy-space-and-earth As a summer high school intern at NIST, I got to take a deep dive into one of the ways scientists study space — the absorption and emission of light by matter, known as spectroscopy. Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Isabelle Rivera https://www.nist.gov/node/1824081 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/and-away-how-nist-research-helped-improve-weather-balloon-forecasting A key component of the weather balloon — which helps meteorologists forecast the weather every day — was developed at NIST in the 1930s. Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.nist.gov/node/1822301 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/how-we-studied-dna-damage-cooked-food-and-what-it-might-mean-our-health When you eat plants or meat, you’re also eating a tiny amount of that plant or animal’s DNA. But what happens to that plant or animal DNA when you cook the food before eating it? Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Miral Dizdaroglu https://www.nist.gov/node/1822351 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/measuring-accuracy-pcr-tests-can-improve-health-care-beyond-covid-19 Many of us have taken a COVID-19 test. But, have you ever wondered, after your sample goes off to a lab, exactly how they arrive at a positive or negative result? Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Robert DeJaco https://www.nist.gov/node/1823786 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/agents-contrast-software-runaway-hit-our-early-universe-sample-stories-nist Curious? It’s time to get you caught up on a few of the summer happenings at NIST. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Riley Wilson https://www.nist.gov/node/1821686 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/im-helping-my-garden-vegetables-and-my-students-bloom-where-they-are-planted Middle school is the perfect time to plant the seed for a child to grow a lifelong love of science. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Kandice Taylor https://www.nist.gov/node/1821311 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/protecting-people-plumbing-pathogens-personal-me Pathogens can get into our water through plumbing and are especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Alshae’ Logan-Jackson https://www.nist.gov/node/1819291 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/summer-science-nist-interns-stories-their-time-lab From measuring UV light to working on virtual reality software, a summer at NIST is not your average internship. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.nist.gov/node/1819281 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/escaping-war-becoming-mom-3-once-science-has-always-been-there-me I learned as a young adult not to get attached to material things; they can be gone in an instant. But there were some things I knew no one could take — an education and my love of science. Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Katarina Cicak https://www.nist.gov/node/1815381 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/my-lab-helps-people-breathe-easier-all-over-world My lab here in Gaithersburg, Maryland, helps agencies all over the world track their pollution levels by measuring them accurately. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Peter Trask https://www.nist.gov/node/1815186 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/whats-name-tesla Do you enjoy flipping on the light switch? Well, you can thank Nikola Tesla — born 167 years ago today. Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Sandy Ressler https://www.nist.gov/node/1816486 https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/small-particles-big-problem-measuring-microplastics-impact-fish Viruses are not just a problem for humans. Viruses are common in our oceans and aquatic environments, too. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000 Meredith Evans Seeley https://www.nist.gov/node/1815661