U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Environment

Projects/Programs

Displaying 76 - 97 of 97
Photograph of a long pink flame against a black background, emanating from a torch, with small blue cone near the base of the nozzle.

Real Fuels

Ongoing
The variability of the price of oil, the need for energy efficiency and pollution minimization has led to increasing interest in alternative fuels. These fuels are structurally and compositionally different than the conventional fuels presently used.  Past work on conventional fuels have established
Photo showing the production of Salmon Standard Reference Material

Reference Material Production and Support

Ongoing
Bulk Cryogenic Production Large-batch cryogenic reference materials are produced using a Palla VM-KT Vibrating Cryomill. The mill is pre-cooled to cryogenic temperatures using liquid nitrogen. Frozen material is fed through the inlet funnel to a vibrating chamber containing 26 titanium rods. The
Photograph of two labeled amber bottles containing marine sediments.

Reference materials for emerging and legacy organic contaminants

Ongoing
The Biochemical and Exposure Sciences Group (BSEG) produces environmental matrix and solution-based reference materials to support the environmental measurement community. These materials assist in identifying legacy organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)that were commonly
Photograph of three labeled bottles of SRM 2855 containing low-density and high density polyethylene

Reference Materials for Plastic Pollution Measurement Science

Ongoing
Microplastic reference materials of different sizes and shapes are required to support environmental studies. Smaller size classes, particularly between 1 µm and 500 µm, are needed to develop microplastic extraction methods, to identify additives in microplastics, and to create in-house spectral

Renewable Polymers

Completed
In this project, use innovative measurements to optimize existing materials synthesis and discover new routes to polymers from renewable feedstocks by providing characterization methods that can describe the mechanisms and of enzymatic catalysis of polymers from renewable feedstocks and synthetic
Connection among three tasks under the main research plan.

Risk Evaluation and Mitigation

Ongoing
Objective: This project aims to improve techniques currently used for risk evaluation (including uncertainty quantification) and mitigation (including FRP retrofit) of structural systems and integrate them within the PBEE framework. The first phase of the project is focused on development and
Illustration of the five primary features of STAR software, depicted as a blue star.

Sample Tracking and Analytical Reporting (STAR)

Ongoing
STAR (formerly known as Marine STAR) will develop a web-based interface to provide easy access to sample information from the NIST Biorepository. Information will include, but is not limited to, sample availability, chemical analysis status and results, and links to publications. Metadata associated
NIST researchers measuring a flow profile

Smoke Stack Flow Measurement

Ongoing
The Fluid Metrology Group is using its smoke stack simulator (See Fig. 1.) and field tests in operating smoke stacks to critically test conventional and improved ways of measuring the flow of stack gases. In the NIST stack simulator, the inlet cone and reference (upstream) section of the simulator

Standards Development to Ensure Reliable Breath Analysis in the Field

Ongoing
Numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been identified in human breath. These compounds can be produced by the body or by organisms in the body (e.g., bacteria or viruses) and provide a non-invasive window into human health. Inexpensive point-of-care devices are being developed to diagnose
Steroid Hormone Pathway Mapping

Steroid Hormone Suite Analysis

Ongoing
Steroid hormones are signaling molecules that are major regulators of development, reproduction, stress, and growth. Steroids are synthesized from cholesterol through a series of enzymes, resulting in hormones with distinct biological activities. Although hormones are similar in structure, and
Project Infographic for synthesis and longevity of candidate direct air capture (DAC) materials

Synthesis and longevity of candidate direct air capture (DAC) materials

Ongoing
We have been working on the identification and development of repeatable synthesis techniques for DAC materials for the purposes of generating repeatable samples for evaluating DAC characterization techniques. We have initially focused on impregnated and grafted aminosilane-silica materials. We are
triple point cell

Thermometry

Ongoing
The NIST Thermodynamic Metrology Group supports industry and advances measurement science through an extensive suite of thermometry calibration services as well as research projects aimed at improving the utility for the International Temperature Scale. We also develop guidelines, and contribute to
Photography of gas cylinder storage facility with cylinders stored horizontally in movable cabinets.

Traceable Calibration Gases: SRMs, NTRMs, and Protocol Gases

Ongoing
The Gas Sensing Metrology Group prepares the highest level gas standards, known as Primary Standard Gas Mixtures based on precise gravimetric methods and accurate purity analysis. These Primary Standards are verified at NIST, stability confirmed through reanalysis over many years, and compared
Breathalyzer

Vapor Sampling in the Field

Ongoing
Breath sampling of cannabis users. Several versions of breath collection devices are being marketed for the detection of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in the breath of cannabis users. THC is not directly correlated to intoxication but may indicate recent smoking or vaping. THC and other
CO2 Estimate

Ventilation Performance for Novel Sustainability and Resilience Challenges

Ongoing
Objective: To develop tools, metrics, and data to enable sustainable, resilient, high-performance building and ventilation system design and operation in response to current and future challenges driven by climate change, airborne disease transmission, and other developing hazards. Also, to develop
Dart biopsy collection from a free-ranging bottlenose dolphin

Vertebrate Endocrine Metrology in Non-Traditional Matrices

Ongoing
NIST collaborates with stakeholders to develop techniques for measuring hormone levels as part of animal health assessment. The process of capturing and transporting animals before sampling can induce stress, which may alter the hormone levels in the bloodstream. Therefore, the collection of blood

Wastewater Surveillance

Ongoing
NIST is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS/S&T) to develop documentary standards and reference materials to support an enduring capability in wastewater surveillance. Ongoing activities include: Development of a research grade test material
water

Water Measurement Science

Ongoing
Measurements and Standards for Contaminants in Water Accurate measurements of contaminants in water are critical to ensure the usability and safety of our water supplies. NIST has developed Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for validating or calibrating methods for inorganic contaminants including
Catalyst Testbed

X-ray Testbed for Breakthrough Catalyst Measurements

Ongoing
Interested in collaborating? See below What does this project do for industry? Current measurement techniques are unable to follow the reaction pathways during catalysis and are limited to observing only the end products or looking at catalysts outside of realistic reaction conditions. Our new