An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Measurement and Standards Laboratories Fiscal Year 2003 (2003) / Chapter Skim
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11 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory: Division Reviews
11 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory: Division Reviews
Pages 143-174
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From page 143... ...
This research is state of the art and continues to push the technology into new, productive, and high-impact areas. The Bioprocess Engineering Group focuses on developing measurement methods, databases, and generic technologies related to the biomolecular field in manufacturing.
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From page 144... ...
to the world scientific community. Program Relevance and Effectiveness The Biotechnology Division faces unique challenges and vast opportunities resulting from the breadth of topics in the biological sciences, the rapidly changing nature of technology supporting new discoveries in life sciences, and the continuing emergence of new biotechnologies.
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From page 145... ...
A program that focuses development of new measurement technologies is the program on advanced mass spectrometry measurements of DNA damage. For example, the cellular accumulation of two major oxidative stress-induced DNA lesions in cells of Cocaine Syndrome patients after exposure to ionizing radiation has been identified.
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From page 146... ...
The development and production of fluorescent reference materials in the biospectroscopy project also address current, identifiable needs. Much of the other work in the division involves the development of internal expertise in emerging areas in which evaluation and standardization of methodology are likely to be important, such as broader application of fluorescence.
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From page 147... ...
PROCESS MEASUREMENTS DIVISION Technical Merit The Process Measurements Division of CSTL provides a central, national source for reference materials, calibration of measurement equipment, and data on materials properties. A core responsibility of the division is the improvement and dissemination of national measurement standards for temperature, fluid flow, air speed, pressure and vacuum, humidity, liquid density, and volumetric measurements.
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From page 148... ...
Fluid Science The division's determination and dissemination of fluid properties respond directly to industry needs for thermal-based mass flow measurement systems, which are limited in performance by the accuracy to which fluid properties are known. Technologies and competencies developed in the fluid science project have been applied by the division's thermometry researchers.
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From page 149... ...
The panel is pleased with this activity. Fluid Flow The Process Measurements Division has continued to improve fluid flow rate measurement capabilities and to reduce uncertainties.
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Pressure and Vacuum The panel discussed with the group leader the merits of developing alternate approaches for supporting calibration service customers. One approach discussed would be to replace such traditional calibration services with "NIST traceable programs." Such a program might apply processes similar to those used for NIST-traceable reference materials, laboratory intercomparisons, and measurement assurance
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From page 151... ...
The panel was told that the cultural change associated with the application of ISO/IEC 17025 standards throughout the Process Measurements Division has been beneficial, and that improvements in the quality of calibration services are expected. An objective evaluation of the impact, if any, of the new quality program on the technical merit of divisional programs would be appropriate after full implementation at the end of 2004.
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From page 152... ...
The panel did not see that resources and structure for increasing the rate of Web-based data dissemination were implemented as recommended. Additional Comments The Process Measurements Division has developed and demonstrated the capabilities of microhotplate and microcalorimetry sensors in terms of their high sensitivity, and it could earn high regard in the sensors community if it were able to clarify the fundamental expectations and limitations of the stability of nanoscale and thin-film sensor technology.
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From page 153... ...
Since last year's review, the Surface and Microanalysis Science Division has further modified its organizational structure in order to focus its projects on its primary mission. It has reduced the number of groups from four to three, having redistributed the staff assigned to the Atmospheric Chemistry Group to other groups.
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From page 154... ...
This hyperspectral data storage tool applies to more than the X-ray spectra demonstrated to the panel, and widespread utilization is to be expected. Program Relevance and Effectiveness The opening remarks from late year's summary of the Surface and Microanalysis Science Division remain valid and are simply repeated here for reference: The Surface and Microanalysis Science Division uses a variety of methods to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of its programs.
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From page 155... ...
It is very important that these connections be made and justified. It is clear to the panel that the visibility of the Surface and Microanalysis Science Division in the technical community is quite high, from the number of presentations made at professional society meetings or meetings organized by the division's staff.
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Division Resources The Surface and Microanalysis Science Division has 39 full-time permanent employees as of January 2003, substantially the same as in the previous year. The panel is concerned, however, that the
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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES DIVISION Technical Merit The Physical and Chemical Properties Division serves as the nation's reference laboratory for measurements, standards, data, and models in the areas of thermophysics, thermochemistry, and chemical kinetics. The panel commends the division for its excellent balance between experimental and theoretical expertise in all areas of the program, and particularly notes the continued emphasis on
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From page 158... ...
Division research is organized around eight focus areas that cut across group project boundaries: basic reference data; computational chemistry; fundamental studies of fluids; tools for chemical analysis; cryogenic technologies; measurements for the environment; data for process and product design; and properties of energy-related fluids. Selected highlights of these programs are presented below as a means of illustrating the high technical merit of the work that is performed.
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From page 159... ...
Chemical Reference Data and Modeling The Chemical Reference Data and Modeling Group recently released a major update of the NIST Mass Spectral Database. The new release features major improvements in both coverage and quality.
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With the completion of the ATP work the major source of funding for the Membrane Science and Technology project in recent years the panel recommends that division management carefully review whether resources remain to carry forward this project at a level above the critical mass.
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From page 161... ...
The panel notes continuing cross-divisional efforts (with the Analytical Chemistry Division) to provide support for the NIST homeland security initiative through the ongoing development of mass spectral methods for the detection of biological weapons.
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From page 162... ...
Division Resources As of January 2003, staffing for the Physical and Chemical Properties Division included 55 fulltime permanent positions, of which 46 were for technical professionals. There were also 16 nonpermanent or supplemental personnel, such as postdoctoral research associates and temporary or part-time workers.
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From page 163... ...
The panel also notes that more than 95 percent of the income from sales of Standard Reference Databases by NIST is generated by the Physical and Chemical Properties Division. Although the division continues to sustain excellence in existing experimental and theoretical areas and because of the interest in expanding into emerging computational areas, the panel is concerned that the flat budget does not allow for sufficient new hires to renew and maintain the valuable expertise, thus precluding the division.
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From page 164... ...
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION Technical Merit The Analytical Chemistry Division (ACD) carries out the following activities: · Research concerning the qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical composition; · Development and maintenance of state-of-the-art chemical analysis capabilities; · Dissemination of tools for measurement traceability and quality assurance (such as reference materials, reference data, and other services)
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From page 165... ...
The various programs associated with mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, optical spectrometry, and sample preparation are proceeding well, and they underscore the productive role that this group plays in creating, developing, and maintaining the SRMs that constitute 71 percent of such products produced by the division. The group has also adapted well to the demands created by new projects aligned to homeland security and the World Trade Center investigation.
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From page 166... ...
The group also worked with five specialty gas companies to develop 35 batches of NIST-Traceable Reference Materials. The more than 1,000 individual gas cylinders comprised by these 35 NTRM batches will be used to produce approximately 100,000 NIST-traceable gas standards for end users worldwide.
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From page 167... ...
Funding for this area has come from the microscale analytical laboratory's competence award, an ATP intramural grant, a Single Molecule Manipulation and Measurement competence award, and STRS. This program area maintains collaborations with the Process Measurements Division, the Biotechnology Division, the Optical Technology Division, and the Semiconductor Electronics Division.
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From page 168... ...
Nuclear Methods Research in the Nuclear Methods Group focuses on the science that supports the identification and quantification of chemical species by nuclear analytical techniques. Current laboratory research activities involve a range of nuclear analytical techniques, including instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis (INAA and RNAA)
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From page 169... ...
SRMs are certified reference materials issued under the National Institute of Standards and Technology trademark that are well characterized using state-of-the-art measurement methods and/or technologies for chemical composition and/or physical properties. Traditionally, SRMs have been the primary tools that NIST provides to the user community for achieving chemical measurement quality assurance and traceability to national standards.
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From page 170... ...
In recent years, mutual recognition agreements have been established related to testing and calibration services and with respect to the bodies accrediting such activities. The Analytical Chemistry Division has taken a leadership role on the International Committee of Weights and MeasuresConsultative Committee on the Quantity of Material (CCQM)
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From page 171... ...
The group also continues to support U.S. industry through the development and dissemination of high-priority reference materials on the basis of input from organizations such as the AIGER consortium and ASTM.
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From page 172... ...
developed for the Biotechnology Division's Y-STR databank, sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. Division Resources The Analytical Chemistry Division had approximately 90 scientists, technicians, and administrative/clerical support staff as of January 2003.
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From page 173... ...
Recommendations Given the critical positioning of the Analytical Chemistry Division as the primary laboratory for the development and certification of an appreciable fraction of the NIST SRM portfolio, it is imperative that the division maintain the highest quality of personnel and instrumentation available in the United States. As demonstrated through the division's international activities, its participation and capabilities are crucial to the competitiveness of U.S.
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From page 174... ...
Clearly, the impact of micro-total analysis systems as its own subdiscipline within analytical chemistry is felt in many industrial sectors and is worthy of more serious attention by NIST in general, and not only through aspects of microfluidics. Perhaps a realignment of the groups in terms of elemental/inorganic analysis, organic analysis, molecular spectrometry, gas metrology and classical methods, and a new microanalytics group, may make sense.
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