and Technology A111D3 fil3flD

- TECH RX^ ^^^^ STANDAr£& NIST 380 PUBLICATIONS A11 103081 S"uiripVSNE 1989 C. C.1 N>ST- On the cover: The supersonic inert gas metal atomizer (SIGMA) is used in an intelligent processing of materi- als program at NIST. The cooperative program is aimed at automating the production of rapidly solidified metal powders. From left to right are Frank Biancaniello, James Ingram of Hoeganaes Corp., and Stephen Bidder. See article on page 10. National institute of Standards and Teclinology 0C ^00 US'?

7 o7

Research Reports

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Research Update Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology Computer Security: Protection Is the Name of the Game 5 Raymond G. Kammer, Acting Director

National Institute of Standards 'Standard Crack' Helps Detect Metal Fatigue in Aircraft and Technology 9 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 301/975-2000 Boulder, CO 80303 Building Quality into Advanced Materials during Processing 10 303/497-3000

June 1989 'HIPing': From Metal Powders to Reliable Materials 12

NIST Special Publication 765 Prepared by the Public Information Division Exploring Earth's Formation 14 A903 Administration Building

National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD 20899 NIST: Helping Industry To Compete 16 301/975-2762

Any mention of commercial products Tracking Time 20 is for information only, it does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards

and Technology nor does it imply that Movies Reveal Secrets of Materials 24 the products mentioned are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

Technique Sterilizes Clinical Instruments in Seconds 26 The National Bureau of Standards became the National Institute of Standards and Technology on August 1988, under the 23, Can Smoke Control Systems Save Lives and Property? 28 Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act.

NIST retains all NBS functions. Its new

programs will encourage improved use of technology by U.S. industry. New Publications 30

Conference Calendar 32 1

Research Update

Industry To Study Bioseparations ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a scientists, and combustion engineers projectile through the force of com- has been at NIST developed by NIST scientists. pressed air, compressed gas, mechani- Available on a floppy disk for personal

cal firing action, or any combination. The computers (PC's), it contains data on the

Cell Technology Inc., of Boulder, Colo., rule also waives marking requirements rates of approximately 2,000 chemical re- has established a Research Associate for any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm actions with more than 5,300 individual Program at NIST's Boulder laboratories that will be used only in the theatrical, data entries. The database is an impor- to study bioproduct separation utilizing movie, or television industries. For further tant tool for modeling combustion sys-

aqueous two-phase extraction and elec- details, contact: Stanley I. Warshaw, tems or chemical processes occurring in trophoresis. The University of Colorado NIST, A603 Administration BIdg., the atmosphere. This type of data is nec- (CU) and the Colorado Advanced Tech- Gaithersburg, MD 20899, 301/975-4000. essary in understanding the reactions of

nology Institute are also participants in chemicals and their role in depleting the the program. Cell Technology has a Earth's ozone layer. A special software product, Imuvert, derived from the Gram- option allows users to display rapidly in a Materials Aimed at Improving negative bacterium Serratia marcescens, single graphic all of the rate constants Pesticide, PCB Analyses which has shown encouraging results in determined for a single chemical reac- regressing tumors. The company cur- tion as a function of temperature. These rently uses ultracentrifuges to separate plots showing all of the available informa- Scientists seeking to develop or validate components of the bacterium but this pro- tion are useful for revealing discrepan- the accuracy of analytical methods for duces only small amounts of ribosomes cies in experimental results. NIST Stand- measuring selected pesticides, poly- and vesicles, the desired product. A CU ard Reference Database 17, Gas chlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and alpha- graduate research assistant will work at Kinetics, is available for $190 from the tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) in fish NIST to determine whether or not ves- Office of Standard Reference Data, NIST, and other fatty food products should find icles and ribosomes can be separated in A320 Physics BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD a new Standard Reference Material larger quantities from other cellular de- 20899, 301/975-2208. (SRM) useful. The SRM contains certified bris using aqueous two-phase extraction concentrations of six chlorinated pesti- or electrophoresis. The NIST Research cides (hexachlorobenzene, alpha-HCH, Associate Program provides an opportu- trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, trans- 200 Labs Accredited for Asbestos nity for scientists and engineers from nonachlor, and dieldrin), five individual companies and other organizations to PCB's, and the nutrient alpha-tocopherol work with NIST researchers on programs in cod liver oil. In addition to containing More than 200 labs received the first ac- of mutual interest. the certified components, the SRM also creditations to perform analyses for has noncertified concentrations of six asbestos content in bulk insulation and dioxin compounds and a related com- building materials under the new Final Rule Issued on Toy Firearms pound, octachlorodibenzofuran. The new National Voluntary Laboratory Accredita- material, SRM 1588, Organics in Cod tion Program (NVLAP) for bulk asbestos

Liver Oil, is available for $199 per set of in schools. The labs have demonstrated

The Technology Administration of the five sealed vials from the Office of Stand- their competence to analyze bulk mate- U.S. Commerce Department issued a ard Reference Materials, NIST, B31 rial samples by polarized light micros-

final rule, effective May 5, 1989, which Chemistry BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD copy using test method procedures

prohibits the manufacturing, entering into 20899, 301/975-6776. specified by the Environmental Protec-

commerce, shipping, transporting, or re- tion Agency. Approximately 500 other

ceipt of any toy, imitation, or look-alike labs are being evaluated to determine their ability to meet NVLAP requirements. firearm unless it contains or has affixed Gas Kinetics Database Available The accredited labs have undergone an to it a marking approved by the tech- Secretary of Commerce. The final rule on-site assessment performed by a specifies the markings established under nical expert in optical microscopy and A new computerized database with an Section 4 of the Federal Energy Manage- have demonstrated full compliance with extensive compilation of information on ment Improvement Act of 1988. The law NIST technical evaluation criteria. The the rates of chemical reactions important does not apply to traditional BB, paint to research chemists, environmental

2 labs also have successfully participated trations of these gases is important to the computer model that can help predict in the first round of proficiency testing in properties of steel because they con- how smoke from a burning oil spill will be which they were required to determine tribute markedly to steel brittleness and dispersed. The work is being done in col- the presence and type of asbestos in pre- therefore to the strength and durability of laboration with the U.S. Department of characterized quality assurance mate- steels. Standard Reference Material the Interior and Environment Canada. rials developed by NIST. For information (SRM) 1754, Oxygen and Nitrogen in on NVLAP, contact; National Voluntary Low-Alloy Steel, AISl 4320, is in rod form,

Laboratory Accreditation Program, NIST, 0.95 cm X 0.95 cm x 10.2 cm. It was 'ZIP' Will Economic BIdg. 41 Gaithersburg, certified through the NIST/ASTM Re- Find Most 1 , MD 20899, 301/975-4016. search Associate Program involving nine Levels of Insulation

industrial laboratories. SRM 1754 is avail-

able for $119 per unit of 1 rod from the How much insulation should be installed Office of Standard Reference Materials, World's Smallest Prism Made in a house? A new computer program NIST, B31 1 Chemistry BIdg., Gaithers- called ZIP can help find the answer. burg, MD 20899, 301/975-6776. Quick and easy to use, ZIP can provide Researchers at the NIST laboratories in customized estimates of the most Boulder, Colo., have created what they economic levels of thermal insulation for believe to be the smallest optical prism NIST Studying Burning building components such as attics, ever made. The microscopic glass prism of Crude Oil Spills walls, floors, crawlspaces, and base- is only 0.005 inch on a side—about the ments. ZIP determines these estimates thickness of a heavy sheet of paper. by searching internal data files contain-

Barely visible to the naked eye, the "mi- Can an oil spill be cleaned up by burn- ing local weather information and energy croprism" may be used in microoptics ing? What happens when oil on water and insulation costs all keyed to the and fiber optics research and instrumen- burns? How much smoke is produced? user's postal ZIP code. The program and tation—for example, as a test probe for What are the physical and chemical prop- supporting files are contained on a single making accurate measurements of the erties of the smoke? These are some of diskette and will run on MS-DOS systems performance characteristics of optical the questions NIST researchers are at- with 256K of RAM. ZIP was designed by fibers in the tight confines of an inte- tempting to answer in a project to eval- NIST in conjunction with the Department grated optical circuit. Besides being uate combustion of oil spills on water. In of Energy's Oak Ridge National Labora- measuring tools, microprisms might also a recent paper, the researchers dis- tory. The disk is available from several eventually have applications as actual cussed the results of their preliminary sources including MTS Software, 3534 elements in miniaturized optical circuits. laboratory tests on three different crude Knollstone, St. Louis, MO 63135,

Zongjian Sun, a guest scientist at NIST oils. One of the primary thrusts of the re- 314/524-2202 for $5 and PC-SIG, 1030D from Tongji University of Shanghai, search is to measure the amount of East Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086,

People's Republic of China, developed selected chemical components in the 408/730-9291 for $6. It also is available the procedure to grind the infinitesimal smoke from a crude oil fire. The re- from the National Technical Information prism in conjunction with Robert Gallawa, searchers measured the quantity of Service, Springfield, VA 22161; call a physicist in NIST's Electromagnetic several polynuclear aromatic (PAH) com- 703/487-4600 for ordering information.

Technology Division. pounds in both the original crude oil and

the smoke. (PAH compounds in crude oil are of environmental concern because Material Can Help Pinpoint some have been reported to cause New Low-Alloy Steel Calibration Nicotine Exposure cancer in animals.) The NIST researchers Standard Available found that the amount of PAH com-

pounds in the smoke nearly equaled that Researchers studying human exposure in the original oil burned. The research- A new standard for checking and cali- to cigarette smoke—both active and pas- ers also have developed a preliminary brating oxygen and nitrogen analyzers in sive exposure—need to ensure that the the steel industry has been developed methods they use to track the concentra- under a cooperative program between tion of nicotine by-products in urine ASTM and NIST. Information on concen-

3 samples are reliable. A new bottled refer- NIST Invites Vendors accurate image detail even under ex- ence material (RM), issued jointly by for GOSIP Evaluation Project treme lighting conditions. This makes the NIST and the Environmental Protection devices ideal for purposes such as mis-

Agency, can assist laboratories in validat- sile tracking, semiconductor pattern rec- ing urine measurement methods. It is de- The National Computer Systems Labora- ognition, and factory inspection. For this signed for determining levels of cotinine, tory at NIST is developing guidelines to cooperative project, CIDTEC and NIST re- which is the major urinary metabolite of help users evaluate different implementa- searchers will use the NIST 20-megawatt nicotine. With the new material, labora- tions of GOSIP (Government Open Sys- reactor to expose sensors and asso- tory personnel can test the reliability of in- tems Interconnection Profile) applica- ciated CID components to x-ray, gamma, struments and methods by analyzing the tions. To help expedite the project, beta, neutron, and charged particle en-

RM the same way as a urine sample and vendors are invited to lend to NIST soft- vironments to determine "radiation hard- comparing results with the ones listed for ware and hardware that implement ness" of the materials. They will gauge the RM. The new material is sold in kit electronic a message handling systems and file trans- the characteristics of the de- that includes vials of freeze-dried urine, fer, access, and management applica- vices before, during, and after radiation each containing cotinine at one of three tions. Currently, GOSIP supports both ap- exposure. They also will explore the levels: blank, low, and high. These quan- plications. GOSIP was approved last fall chemistry uses of CID's by developing tities are typical of, respectively, non- as a Federal Information Processing spectroscopy applications to improve with smokers no exposure to cigarette Standard (PIPS), developed by NIST for chemical analysis accuracy and detec- smoke, nonsmokers with passive expo- use by the federal government. The tion limits. sure to smoke, and smokers. RM 8444 standard defines a common set of data costs $148 and is available from the Of- communication protocols that enables fice of Standard Reference Materials, computer systems developed by differ- Tiltmeter Studies in Colorado NIST, B311 Chemistry BIdg., Gaithers- ent vendors to communicate and en- and Wyoming burg, MD 20899, 301/975-6776. ables the users of different applications on these systems to exchange informa-

tion. For information on the evaluation Scientists at the NIST-University of project, contact Steve Trus, NIST, B225 Measuring High-Temperature Colorado Joint Institute for Laboratory Technology BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD Superconductors Astrophysics (JILA) have completed field 20899,301/975-3617. studies of specially designed tiltmeters in Erie, Colo., and Yellowstone National NIST researchers have developed a Park, Wyo. Tiltmeters are highly sensitive novel apparatus for variable-temperature N.Y. Firm Joins with NIST To devices which are sunk deep into the measurements of high-temperature Earth and which are designed to Investigate Sensors superconductors. Termed a cryogenic measure the slightest tilt in the Earth's bathysphere, it can rapidly (in 10 surface. They might be used, among minutes) test superconductors over a CID Technologies Inc. (CIDTEC), of Liver- other things, as early-warning predictors range of temperatures from 300 to 4 K, pool, N.Y., has begun a program with for earthquakes. The JILA scientists or it can be used to stabilize the tem- NIST that will investigate the effects of found good agreement between their perature at a given value. The tiny various forms of nuclear irradiation on measurements and measurements of (3-centimeter width) device has no charge injection device (CID) sensors Earth tides on the Colorado plains but moving parts and can be used in com- and cameras. CID sensors are sophisti- wide disagreements between these pact spaces such as shipping Dewars cated imaging devices that offer numer- measurements in Yellowstone Park and small-bore high-field magnets. The ous technical advantages over related where the instruments were placed apparatus has been tested successfully techniques. For example, CID cameras above a collapsed caldera. Only near a in liquid helium and liquid nitrogen by allow excellent exposure control in low- fault zone in Germany have comparably measuring the resistance-versus- light situations, but they also are more large tilt anomalies been observed, they temperature curves of several supercon- tolerant to intense light and produce report. For copies of two papers explain- ductors. A paper describing a prototype ing their work, contact Jo Emery, NIST, device is available from Jo Emery, NIST, Division 104, Boulder, CO 80303. Division 104, Boulder, CO 80303.

4 —

Computer Security: Protection is the Name of tlie Game

r. Stuart Katzke has been talking a lot lately about viruses,

bugs, and infections. But Katzke is not a nnedical doctor, and no human can catch these ailments. Katzke manages a team of computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers at the

National Institute of Standards and Technology. Their job is to find ways to help protect the federal government's unclassified computer

systems against problems sponsibility for protecting the What Is Computer Security? including malicious software pro- security and privacy of unclas- According to Katzke, computer

in federal grams called viruses. sified information com- security means that data in a com- But, while computer viruses puter systems. "We want ... to puter system are correct and con- the leader in are nothing to sneeze at, Katzke be government's fidential and that the system is and other experts agree there are1 finding solutions to the problems available when needed. But, more pressing computer security related to the protection of un- more than that . . . "computer problems. Computerized informa- classified information," said Ray tion, says Katzke, must be pro- Kammer, NIST acting director, tected from not only intentional last March before two con- acts such as sabotage or theft, gressional subcommittees. "I but also natural disasters, hard- hope that, in the 1990's, we can ware and equipment failure, and say that the federal government operator error. leads the nation in developing Computer Security Act and using cost-effective security added. Since the early 1970's, NIST has controls," Kammer help NIST carry out its new been developing cost-effective To role under the act, the Institute ways to help organizations—both formed a 12-member board. in government and private in- Made up of industry and govern- dustry—protect computerized ment experts, the board is to data. These methods include and the Secretary sound management practices as advise NIST on security and well as technical solutions. of Commerce Before logging onto a networi(, Miles Smid uses a credit privacy issues pertaining to un- card-sized board, called a "smart" token, to perform a With the passage of the Com- classified federal computer series of authentication checks for security. puter Security Act of 1987 (P.L. systems. 100-235) that role was broad- ened to give NIST the primary re-

5 security means never having to need to improve computer secu- standards and guidelines for man-

say you're sorry," says Katzke. rity training for all levels of staff. agement measures, NIST also

He adds, "It means your organiza- After reviewing the first round of works on the technical tools tion from the top dow/n is serious plans this summer. Hunt's group needed for an overall computer

about computer security and the will begin developing guidelines security program.

managers have evaluated what on both planning for computer One of the best ways to en-

needs to be protected and have security and training. sure that someone cannot read

implemented cost-effective meas- or alter data transmission is Weighing Cost vs. Risk a

ures to protect it. It means that if through cryptography. Cryptogra- An important part of developing something does happen, you're phy is a mathematical process a computer security plan is to protected, or at the very least, that encrypts—or scrambles—the weigh the costs of controls you know what needs to be done information so only those with a against the risk of loss. " 'Abso-

to recover from the damage." secret "key" can unscramble it. lute' security is achieved only at According to Doug Hunt, Cryptography also can be used unlimited cost," says Dennis manager of computer security to generate codes that indicate Steinauer, manager of the com- planning and assistance, an im- whether unauthorized changes puter security management and portant step toward protecting have been made to a message evaluation group. "Since most or-

data is for an organization to form while it is in transit in a network or ganizations, including federal

a comprehensive computer secu- while it is stored in a computer. agencies, do not have unlimited rity plan. Although this may seem In 1977, NIST issued the Data funds, it's important to balance

obvious, Hunt says it is often over- Encryption Standard (DES) that cost and risk. Controls that are looked. Such a plan should help specifies an encryption algorithm. more expensive than the value of make computer security an inte- Although the DES was developed the information they protect are gral part of managing an organi- for use by the federal govern- not cost effective," he says.

zation's computerized information ment, it is widely used by U.S. in- To help achieve this balance, and keep everyone more aware dustry. For example, it has been NIST is investigating techniques of problems and solutions. adopted by the American that can be used to identify risks In fact, the recently passed National Standards Institute and and select cost-effective com- computer security act mandates the American Bankers Associa- puter security measures. In col- that federal agencies develop tion for protecting transfers of laboration with NSA, NIST has es- plans for systems containing sen- funds and securities over com- tablished a research laboratory to sitive but unclassified information munications lines. The Depart- study methods that are currently and submit them to NIST for re- ment of the Treasury also is using available for assessing risk, to view. Since January, teams of it to help protect the billions of dol- develop "standard scenarios" computer security specialists lars in federal funds that are trans- that can be used in comparing from NIST and the National Secu- ferred electronically each year. alternative methods, and to rity Agency (NSA) have been re- The DES is reviewed by NIST develop guidelines on selecting viewing more than 1,500 plans. and the Department of Com- risk management procedures. "We're not grading or judging the merce every 5 years to determine Locks and Keys plans as good or bad. Our pur- its adequacy to protect computer- While good management prac- pose is to provide constructive ized data. After the most recent tices training are essential to comments," says Hunt. and review in 1987, NIST approved its protect computers and the data He and the teams have found use for another 5 years, saying it wide disparities both among and they handle, computer tech- continues to be a sound method nology also can part of the so- within agencies in the quality and be for protecting computerized data.

completeness of the plans. They lution. In addition to developing To further encourage use of

also found that most agencies the DES, NIST validates commer-

6 cial devices to assure that prod- ucts properly implement the For Your information standard and are compatible with other equipment using the DES. NIST researchers have produced a number of publications "This benefits both buyers and dealing with computer security. Following is a partial list of the sellers of data encryption de- publications that are available from the Government Printing Of- vices," says Miles Smid, manager fice (GPO) or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). of the NIST security technology See bottom of page 31 for ordering information. group. So far 33 products have been validated. NIST also has Smart Card Technology: New Methods for Computer developed standards for manag- Access Control, Martha E. Haykin and Robert B.J. Warnar, NBS ing the keys needed to use the Spec. Pub. 500-157 (September 1988). Order from GPO as stock DES algorithm. no. 003-003-02887-8, $2.75 prepaid. Describes the basic com- Other technology can help ponents of a smart card and provides background information on control access to computer net- the underlying integrated circuit technologies. The capabilities of works. While passwords often are a smart card are discussed, especially its applicability for com- used to authenticate the identity puter security. The report describes research being conducted of those wanting access to a net- on smart card access control techniques; other major U.S. and in- work, many times they are not ternational groups involved in the development of standards for used properly, providing little or smart cards and related devices are outlined in the appendix. no protection. Data Encryption Standard, FIPS PUB 46-1 (January 1988, In 1985 NIST issued a stand- Reaffirmed until 1992), Order from NTIS as FIPS PUB 46-1, ard with basic guidelines for de- $9.95 prepaid. Specifies an algorithm to be implemented in elec- signing and putting into place a tronics hardware devices and used for the cryptographic protec- password system. Now the Insti- tion of sensitive, but unclassified, computer data. The algorithm tute is working with the Defense uniquely defines the mathematical steps required to transform Advanced Research Projects computer data into a cryptographic cipher and the steps re- Agency and a Minneapolis com- quired to transform the cipher back to its original form. This stand- pany, Datakey, Inc., to develop a ard has been adopted as a voluntary industry standard. prototype system using a "smart" Guide to Auditing for Controls and Security: A System token that will make it tougher for Development Life Cycle Approach, Zella G. Ruthberg et al., NBS^ hackers to gain access to a com- Spec. Pub. 500-153 (April 1988). Order from GPO as stock no, puter network. Essentially a micro- 003-003-02856-8, $13.00 prepaid. Describes a process for computer on a credit card-sized auditing the system development life cycle of an automated infor-^ board, the token performs a se- mation system to ensure that controls and security are designed ries of authentication checks and built into the system. The guide was developed by the Elec-| before allowing a user to log on to tronic Data Processing Systems Review and Security Work a network. The researchers are Group of the Computer Security Project within the President's considering incorporating a physi- Council on Integrity and Efficiency and contains bibliographies cal characteristic of the user, and a description of pertinent laws and regulations. such as fingerprints, into a future

version of the system. For more information on the NIST computer security program "It's similar to protecting your or to get a complete list of NIST computer security publications, house," says Smid. "When you go write or call the Computer Security Division, NIST, A216 Tech- out for the evening, you usually .nology Bldg., Gaithersburg, MD 20899, 301/975-2934. lock your door. If you lock your

door and turn on your porch light.

7 nology being developed for the

classified world and modifying it

to use in the unclassified," says

Rob Rosenthal, manager of the

protocol security group at NIST.

Getting the Bugs Out

While incidents of virus infections

in networks are relatively few, they have been increasing.

Katzke and his staff are working

with other experts in government

and industry to develop ways to

deal with these threats. As a first

step, NIST is forming a response and information center. The cen-

ter will act as the hub of a net-

work of similar centers set up to

respond quickly to attacks and as

NIST computer scientists are worldng with researchers from private industry to develop security a resource center where people features for "open" computer networks. could get information and guid-

ance on security problems at any time. During an emergency, such

you've made it a little tougher for Since 1983, NIST has been as a widespread virus attack,

an intruder. If you lock your door, working with manufacturers, NIST would act as a focal point to turn on your porch light, and acti- users, and other government coordinate other centers and col-

vate an alarm, you've made it agencies to develop standards lect and disseminate information. even tougher. With each layer of for "open" systems that will make .' 'Our Big Story Tonight Is. . . security, you've decreased the it possible for different manufac- While NIST can provide guidance odds that someone is going to turers' equipment to communi- and some of the tools needed to get into your house—or your com- cate. This research will make it protect computerized data, in the puter system." easier not only for computers to end, says Katzke, computer secu- Security for 'Open' Networks talk to each other, but also for net- rity is largely a matter of attitude. works to talk to networks. But, Computer networks bring with "Many people think about com- until recently, little attention has them many advantages, such as puter security only when they been paid to incorporating secu- quick access to lots of informa- hear a story about a virus attack rity features into these standards. tion. But, they also have opened or break-in on the evening news," In a project to do just that, up new opportunities for mischief says Katzke. "But if your organiza- NIST is working with NSA and and crime, so graphically demon- tion relies on computers to get its several private companies, includ- strated recent virus incident by a job done, and you are ignoring ing IBM, Hughes Aircraft Corp., that wreaked havoc on a nation- computer security, you do so at a and Digital Equipment Corp., to wide network of research com- risk. And tonight's news may be develop and test specifications puters. In addition to developing about a break-in to your com- for security features that can be tools designed to make data puter system." built into new networking prod- transmissions safer and to restrict ucts. "We are drawing upon tech- by Jan Kosko access to networks, NIST is help- NIST Public Affairs Specialist ing to make networks secure as well as "open."

8 1

'Standard Crack' Helps Detect Metal Fatigue in Aircraft

"standard crack" recently developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology can help the airline industry do a

better job of testing for metal fatigue in aircraft. The importance of testing aircraft for metal fatigue has been underscored by re- cent events, such as the Aloha Airlines fuselage that partially

A in flight last is ripped open year. Eddy current testing the method most

often used to detect the cracks, The NIST Office of Standard metal in the direction perpendicu-

nornnally invisible to the naked Reference Materials in Gaithers- lar to the notch until the notch

eye, that lead to this kind of burg, Md., will sell 3-inch by "disappears" at the surface. " The failure. This type of testing uses 2-inch blocks of metal containing beauty of this technique," says

an energized coil of wire to in- these standard defects. The initial Capobianco, "is that by using an

duce electrical currents in metals. offerings will be research proto- indenting tool to make the notch,

These currents, which are af- types which should be available we can make the geometry of the

fected by fatigue cracks, are this summer. cracks anything we want. We can

monitored, and an interpretation "There is the potential for make them look like fatigue

is made as to the absence or enormously wide application of cracks of any configuration and

presence of a defect and its these blocks," says Frederick R. still know their dimensions."

extent. Fickett, leader of the research Capobianco will oversee pro-

A difficulty of the eddy current group that designed the "stand- duction of the research materials technique is the lack of samples ard crack." Virtually every seg- and ensure their quality control.

of well-defined "flaws" that accu- ment of the transportation in- "We may not manufacture them

rately simulate fatigue cracks. dustry is concerned about fatigue entirely ourselves but we will

These are necessary to calibrate cracking of metal; nuclear reactor measure their properties and cus-

accurately eddy current instru- operators also are interested. tomers will be getting a carefully

ments and to provide base data Thomas E. Capobianco, a characterized product," he says.

for interpreting test results. NIST engineer, developed the Purchase inquiries should be

Now engineers at the NIST technique. In simplest terms, made to the Office of Standard Boulder, Colo., laboratories have Capobianco softens a 3/4-inch- Reference Materials, NIST, B31

invented a technique for produc- thick piece of metal (in this case Chemistry Building, Gaithersburg,

ing artificial flaws of known sizes aluminum alloy 7075-T6) by heat- MD 20899, or call 301/975-2012.

which can be used to calibrate ing it, notches it to a known by Fred McGehan test equipment. length and depth with an in- NIST Public Affairs Specialist denting tool, and compresses the

9 Building Quaiity into Advanced IVIateriais during Processing

aterials scientists at the National Institute of Standards

and Technology are seeking researchers in industry, uni-

versities, and other organizations who are interested in participating in collaborative programs on the intelligent

processing of nnaterials (IPM). The IPM concept is a new computer-based approach for producing advanced polymer, ceramic,

and metal alloy nnaterials that are also prevents designers from ex- far superior to those used today. "Our long-range ploiting the technological advan-

The special properties of ad- tages of advanced materials. He goal is to develop the vanced materials are the results points out that the intelligent proc of microstructures designed and scientific and measure- essing of materials concept will built into them during processing. ment base that is cru- allow for quality to be built into An IPM facility with various on-line materials during processing cial to U.S. industry's nondestructive evaluation (NDE) rather than attempting to obtain it sensors and process models can success. ..." by inspection. monitor and control carefully the Intelligent processing tech- processing conditions required to nology involves four principal improved by the use of intelligent give advanced materials many ex- interconnected parts: processing technology. ceptional qualities, such as im- the materials processor- Lyie H. Schwartz, director of proved strength, unusual mag- various apparatuses to press, the NIST Institute for Materials netic properties, and increased materials; Science and Engineering, says, cast, or mold resistance to heat, friction, wear, network of on-line sen- "Our long-range goal is to de- a NDE and corrosion. velop the scientific and measure- sors to measure or monitor the mi Tom Yolken, chief of the NIST crostructures of materials during ment base that is crucial to U.S. Office of Nondestructive Evalua- processing; industry's success in capturing a tion, points out that the annual significant share of the world control devices, such as world market for advanced mate- market for advanced materials." valves, pumps, and motors, that rials and for the products made According to Yolken, ad- regulate pressure, temperature, from them is estimated to reach vanced materials tend to be and other processing require- $300 billion by the year 2000. expensive because their produc- ments; and There also is a sizeable market tion is labor intensive and rejec- a computerized process con- for conventional materials that are tion rates are high. The unpre- troller that closes the loop be-

dictable variability of properties

10 tween the sensors and the ders with the desired microstruc-

process controls. tures for advanced metal alloys.

The process controller incor- In another IPM project, NIST

porates various expert systems, scientists are working with re- process models, and data. This searchers from government,

computerized "decision-maker" industry, and universities in a can quickly evaluate information collaborative program on the hot

and make rapid adjustments in isostatic pressing (HIPing) of

production processes to achieve titanium aluminide. The re- the desired microstructures in ad- searchers are developing sen- vanced materials. sors, process models, and other

measurement tools to automate

the entire production cycle, from

The IPM concept uses raw metal powders to finished on-line measurements parts at near-net, or close-to-final, shapes. (See article on page 12.) in real time to control In addition to the pilot demon- simultaneously a wide strations, NIST long-range plans call for collaborative IPM pro- variety of processing grams in polymers processing, parameters. ceramics processing, and the thermomechanical processing of

metals. These programs will Yolken emphasizes that IPM address industry needs that were technology differs greatly from at a conventional automated proc- identified by specialists national workshop on the intel- essing where variables, such ligent processing of materials. as temperature and pressure, are Collaborative IPM research op- automatically controlled to pre- portunities are available where selected values. This does not guest scientists from industry, allow for variations in the incom- government, and universities are ing materials. The IPM concept able to work at NIST on projects uses on-line measurements in of mutual interest with salaries real time to control simulta- paid by their employers. For infor- neously a wide variety of proc- mation, contact the Office of Non- essing parameters. destructive Evaluation, NIST, Researchers at NIST prepare for a test run using the Now there are two IPM pilot Materials Bldg., Gaithers- inert gas metal atomizer (SIGMA). Clockwise demonstrations under develop- B344 supersonic burg, MD 20899, 301/975-5727. from bottom left are John Manning, Frank Biancaniello, ment at NIST. An industrial con- The NDE office also may be con- Stephen Ridder, and James Ingram, a research sortium has been established to associate from Hoeganaes Corporation. tacted for a copy of Intelligent automate the production of Processing of Materials, Report of rapidly solidified metal powders an Industrial Workshop Con- by high-pressure gas atomiza- ducted by the National Institute of tion. The total IPM package will Standards and Technology consist of sensors, process mod- (NISTIR 89-4024). els, and an "expert" computer system to control the atomization by Roger Rensberger of liquid metals to produce pow- NIST Public Affairs Specialist

11 'HIPing': From Metal Powders to Reliable Materials

Consolidating rapidly solidified metal powders into close-to- final, or near-net, shapes through hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) may turn out to be a very reliable way to make parts out of advanced alloys, such as titanium aluminide. This high- performance material has great potential for airframe com- ponents and engine parts because it is lightweight and performs well at

very high temperatures. But 1100 °C and compressed into Schaefer points out this will re- engineers need to overcome a solid shapes by hydrostatic pres- quire new information for monitor- variety of processing barriers sures up to 200 megapascals, or ing the overall HIPing process before titanium-aluminide mate- 30,000 pounds per square inch. and measurement data for con- rials with the required internal Robert J. Schaefer, project trolling the densification of metal properties can be produced leader in the NIST metallurgical powders to obtain the correct cost effectively. processing group, says, "Our microstructures.

Materials scientists at the goal is to demonstrate that the re- Concepts for the intelligent

National Institute of Standards quired microstructural properties processing of materials (IPM) are and Technology are working with being applied to the HIPing proj- a team of scientists and engi- ect. This is a new computer- neers from industn/, universities, "The HIPing pro]ect based approach for producing and government to develop the offers us an opportu- advanced materials that are far measurement and control tools superior to those used today. nity to develop needed to automate the HIPing The special properties of ad- process. The collaborative re- and test various meas- vanced materials, such as excep- search effort is jointly supported tional strength and resistance to urement concepts for by NIST and the Defense Ad- heat, result from microstructures vanced Research Projects the automated designed and built into them Agency (DARPA). during processing. control of materials To produce titanium- The researchers are develop- aluminide alloys using hot iso- processes. ing sensors, process models, and static pressing, rapidly solidified an "expert" computer system to metal powders are sealed in a for titanium-aluminide alloys can automate the entire production canister or mold and placed in- be met by automated HIPing cycle of titanium-aluminide alloys side a furnace. The material is methods." and composites, from raw metal then heated to approximately powders to finished parts. These

12 measurement tools will ensure the ing of a part. With conventional In a collaborative effort with production of reliable mate- methods, manufacturers typically NIST, University of Cambridge rials with the desired properties. utilize only 10 to 30 percent of the metallurgist Michael F. Ashby is Neville Pugh, chief of the NIST material; the remainder becomes

Metallurgy Division, says, "The scrap.

HI Ping project offers us an oppor- NIST eddy current and ultra- . . HIPing Of tunity to develop and test various sonic sensors to measure the den- expensive metal alloys measurement concepts for the sity and microstructures in the also provides a automated control of materials metal powders during consolida- processes in the same way tion will be incorporated in an IPM significant savings robotics have been tested for dis- computerized control system in materials. crete parts manufacturing." being developed for DARPA by

Pugh says the HIPing of ex- BDM International, inc. The IPM pensive metal alloys also pro- controller will permit producers to developing the process models that will of vides a significant savings in take on-line measurements and predict the density materials. With near-net shapes, evaluate the information with metal powders based on pres- sure, temperature, and time. NIST producers normally will lose no process models to control the more than 10 to 20 percent of the properties of metal powders metallurgist Roger B. Clough also bulk material in the final machin- during HIPing. is developing mathematical models of the mechanical defor- mation process during HIPing.

After the IPM controller sys- tem has been completed, plans

call for various components to be

installed in an industrial setting

for tests under NIST supervision. NIST also has established an

advisory group for industry, uni-

versity, and government collabo-

ration in the HIPing program.

Scientists and engineers may par-

ticipate in the research effort through the NIST Research As- sociate Program, which provides

them the opportunity to work at

the Institute on projects of mutual

interest with salaries paid by their employers. For information on the cooper-

ative program to automate the

processing of titanium-aluminide

alloys by HIPing, contact: Robert

J. Schaefer, NIST, A153 Materials

BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD 20899, NIST metallurgist Robert J. Schaefer monitors the compaction of rapidly solid- 301/975-6162. R.R. ified titanium-aluminide metal powders.

13 —

Exploring Earth's Formation

ow did the Earth evolve from its beginnings billions of years ago to the present? Where do deposits of precious metals

come from? How much of the Earth's makeup is from extra- terrestrial sources? Researchers are helping to answer these questions with a custom-made chemical measurement system used to make unprecedented analyses of rocks and meteorites.

At the heart of the system, cific atoms—isotopes—of the two such as those with high concen- developed by NiST chemist Jack elements. The isotope rhenium- trations of platinum group ele-

D. Fassett and Richard J. Walker, 187 (Re-187) gradually decays ments, they open up a whole a geochemist for the United over time and becomes the iso- range of new possibilities." states Geological Survey (USGS), tope osmium-187 (Os-187). As Practicai Applications lies a powerful technique known time progresses, Re-187 concen- Walker, along with colleagues as resonance ionization mass tration decreases while Os-187 in- from USGS and the Carnegie In- spectrometry (RIMS). Among creases. In a given rock sample, stitution of Washington, recently other things, RIMS enables scien- the ratios of both isotopes to a used the Re/Os technique in a tists to measure rhenium and stable (unchanging) reference iso- study of rock samples from Mon- osmium, two difficult-to-detect ele- tope such as Os-186 corre- tana's Stillwater Complex. This ments found in the Earth's rocks. sponds to a specific period of site contains a rich deposit of plat- Based on the abundance of time. By plotting isotopic ratios of inum concentrated in a thin layer. the two elements in Earth sam- the two elements on a graph, Scientists wanted to know why ples, scientists can accurately de- scientists can calculate the age the metal had congregated in termine the age of rocks and of a rock sample. such a small band. The Re/Os learn much about the history of a There are other isotopic method was called on because of rock sample. methods for studying and dating its special abilities to provide in- rocks. These are valuable, but Rhenium and Osmium's Roie formation about platinum and re- they yield different information Because rhenium and osmium lated metals. Employing RIMS about samples than the Re/Os are present only in minute quanti- analyses of Re and Os isotopes, system. Ideally, scientists can ties in rock samples—lower than along with other independent glean the most information from parts per billion in most cases methods, the study confirmed ear- rock studies by using several iso- and because these elements can- lier work that a geological phe- topic techniques in unison. not be measured accurately by nomenon known as "magma "It's another weapon in the ar- traditional methods, the re- mixing" had occurred. That is, senal," says Walker about the searchers have tailored the RIMS two geochemically distinct mag- Re/Os method. "Because technique to serve these geologi- mas—molten rock from within the rhenium and osmium can date cal purposes. Earth—blended together nearly rocks that other systems can't. The key to much of the RIMS 3 billion years ago, causing the research is measurement of spe- platinum deposit to form.

14 a

Besides being important to ge- analysis in the mass spectrome- tories to assist in calibrating in- ologists charting the Earth's his- ter. Since only one element has struments and evaluating analyti- tory, the Stillwater study provides been ionized, the instrument can cal techniques. RIMS has been valuable information that can help selectively analyze the concentra- used to measure elements in locate similar platinum deposits. tion of this element with great these materials that other

Measuring Re and Os with sensitivity, allowing minute con- methods can't accurately gauge.

RIMS has proven itself in other in- centrations to be detected and RIMS was used effectively to stances as well: eliminating the isobaric interfer- certify the concentration of iodine

A study in India showed ences of other techniques. To and vanadium in an SRM for oys- that the movement of water mobi- measure a second element, scien- ter tissue samples. lized certain components of very tists need only to tune the laser to As scientists at NIST continue old crustal rocks, creating the resonance frequency of that to produce data for Earth deposits of gold. element, then measure it in the samples, semiconductors, and

In Ontario, Canada, Walker mass spectrometer. other specimens with RIMS, more and collaborators affirmed other For some time, the RIMS in- ways to use the technique will studies showing that a significant strument at NIST has been the likely surface. As Fassett says: amount of noble metals in the only one of its kind used in this "This method started as an experi-

Earth's mantle was added to the way, but the idea is catching on. ment, now it is a workhorse—

Earth from extraterrestrial sources For example, scientists at the day in, day out analytical tool that following core formation 3.9 to 4.5 Carnegie Institution of Washing- is very reliable and has many billion years ago. ton are building their own RIMS in- potential applications."

strument for their work in studying How RIMS Works by John Henkel the Earth's geological history. The RIMS technique is actually a NIST Public Affairs Specialist Others will likely follow suit. marriage of laser technology and What Lies Ahead the traditional chemical analysis method of mass spectrometry. By NIST researchers are exploring the instrument. nature, RIMS is ideal for analyz- other ways to use ing Re and Os. Conventional tech- One of the most promising is in niques cannot accurately deter- semiconductor evaluation, where mine Re and Os concentration. RIMS has been used to detect im- that degrada- This is because these two ele- purities can cause scrapping ments are in such small amounts tion or even the costly

in most samples that they are of a semiconductor device. One

hard to measure and because of element, vanadium, can fatally "isobaric interference," a chemis- contaminate the thin films that levels try gremlin that throws off an coat semiconductors at as analysis by making the concentra- low as parts per trillion. The RIMS sensitive tion of one element appear to be technique is especially these part of a chemically similar ele- to measuring vanadium at ment's concentration. levels, and NIST scientists have successfully used RIMS to ana- A RIMS analysis begins by il- luminating a purified sample with lyze vanadium impurities in materials. laser light tuned to an element's sample certify- "resonance" frequency, or the Another potential use is Mate- wavelength at which photons ing the Standard Reference Richard J. Walker prepares to analyze a rock sample. sells to labora- prompt a given element to ionize. rials (SRM's) NIST

This prepares the sample for

15 NIST: Helping industry To Compete

his past year has probably been one of the more eventful in our history as we nnade the transition fronn the National Bureau of Standards to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Along with that name change, we saw the enhancement of our traditional measurement research and standards function to in- clude a more general mandate to improve the competitiveness of U.S.

industry. To my way of tliinking, simultaneously Improving our real The result was disquieting. The the NIST mission now has three national income. usual defect rate, or failure, in major elements: Another phrase that is getting U.S. -produced goods and ser- measurement—providing the a lot of use these days is "world- vices is about 6,000 per million scientific data and standards that class products." if the U.S. actions. The level of performance our economy needs to compete economy does not succeed that Motorola and a very few in the world market; in producing world-class prod- other U.S. companies achieve is technology—assisting U.S. ucts, our future will be one of de- more like three defects per million industry to develop and apply cline. World-class products have actions, 2,000 times better. This emerging technologies to make the following characteristics: is the level of quality expected of world-class products; and highest quality, advantageous world-class products. life-cycle cost, modern features, companies now are rec- technology transfer—acceler- Many ating the application and wide de- and prompt availability in the ognizing that quality requires than advertising ployment of new technologies marketplace. more —more in time, discipline, meas- developed at NIST and else- Processes involved the more more where, to enhance the competi- manufacture of world-class prod- urements, and a more systematic sign tiveness of U.S. industry. ucts must share these attributes. approach. One encouraging

I think the following examples il- to me is the number of U.S. com- "Competitiveness" is becom- lustrate the intersections between panies that set out to apply for ing a cliche, but it has real mean- Baldrige National ing and real consequences. Com- the expanded NIST mission and the Malcolm this definition of what U.S. in- Quality Award, which is managed petitiveness is the degree to in NIST, while which the United States can pro- dustry desperately needs order by and concluded application that they duce goods and services that to market world-class products. studying the were not yet ready to submit to satisfy customers in the inter- Quality national marketplace while Motorola, a 1988 winner of the the examination. Malcolm Baldrige National Through our discussions

Quality Award, recently did a with industry, I conclude that This article was excerpted from the Malcolm Baldrige National testimony given by NIST Acting Direc- survey of the quality of U.S.- tor Raymond G. Kammer before the produced goods and services. Quality Award is meeting its in- Senate Committee on Commerce, tended purpose, serving both as Science, and Transportation on an incentive and, more impor- June 6, 1989.

16 tantly, a source of education on quality for U.S. business. Thou- sands of businesses are now ac- tively using the examination docu- ment for self assessment, for initiating quality systems, for com- munications and comparisons, and as an adjunct to education and training, particularly at the management level. Measurement

Modern instrumentation and appli- cations have approached the limi- tations of supporting national standards in a number of techni- cal areas. A timely example, which combines developments in electronics with basic standards

and industrial advances, comes A collaborative effort between NIST and Dionex Corp. resulted in the development of a new

in the area of modern voltage generation of a widely used analytical chemistry instrument. H.M. (Skip) Kingston of NIST (left)

standards. To keep the United and Archava Siriraks of Dionex are shown with the chelation ion chromatography system.

States competitive with other in-

dustrialized countries, NIST is ex- nature of the measurement and improvements in the perfor- ploiting the technology required and technology, and the speed re- mance of the read-write heads, to develop superconducting elec- quired to get new technologies to and thus in the quality of prod- tronics. This program has been market, all work to ensure that no ucts, industry must have the abil- so successful that it has pro- of firms has ity to visualize the actual size and duced the world's most accurate single firm or group sufficient incentive to produce, shape of individual magnetic bits. voltage standards for voltages maintain, interrelate, and support A unique device that can do just up to 12 volts, a voltage range the measurement methods, refer- that—resolve magnetic micro- widely used in electronic reference mate- structures as small as 10 bil- instrumentation. ence data, and rials underlying a critical indus- lionths of a meter—was Measurement is also a key ele- trial technology. developed at NIST 3 years ago. ment in quality, and the opportuni- Measurement science is criti- The device is called a SEMPA, for ties and needs in measurement the quality of products pro- scanning electron microscope science have never been greater. cal to duced, for example, by the $40 with polarization analysis. Many of the critical technologies, billion year magnetic record- SEMPA makes it possible for the such as high-temperature super- per ing industry. The density of data first time to map—at the atomic conductivity and semiconductor on magnetic memory de- level —the magnetic charac- electronics, can only be exploited storage vices doubles roughly every 2V2 teristics of the surface of mate- through the most exacting appli- years, and now stands at over rials, for example an entire floppy cations of measurement science. 10 million bits per square inch. disk. This ability is the key to stor- Many of the required measure- Higher densities reduce both cost ing more and more information in ment technologies involve, how- and space, and increase effi- less and less space. ever, industrial and public sector ciency. To achieve further in- The NIST device is so good resources of enormous scope creases in data storage capacity that industries like Honeywell, and size. This factor, the diversity

17 Control Data, Westinghouse, and even greater impact on our tary specifically charged us with

Digital Equipment regularly send economic well-being over the proposing ways in which U.S. in-

their scientists to use the $3,000/ next several decades than they dustry might be actively engaged

day SEMPA facility. In the past have in the past. It is interesting to participate in the study.

year, NIST researchers have as- to consider the list of major About 40 to 45 percent of our

sisted Perkin-Elmer to design a emerging technologies given in directly funded research effort is

commercial version of the instru- that report: advanced materials, devoted to the major emerging

technologies identified in that

DOC report. This didn't happen

suddenly, of course; it has been a

studied reaction to the increasing

economic significance of these

technologies. The NIST role in the

service of emerging technologies

is in the pre-competitive, labora-

tory proof-of-concept stage, when

the technology is "generic." A

generic technology is a non- product specific technology that

is widely used by all firms in a par-

ticular industry.

A good example in the area of

advanced materials is advanced metals. Conventional production

of advanced materials is labor in-

tensive and suffers from high re-

NIST researchers developed the world's most accurate voltage standard up to 12 volts. Left to jection rates of finished products. right are Richard L Kautz, Frances L. Lloyd, and Clark Hamilton with an early version of the Intelligent processing is a new system. computer-controlled approach to producing advanced polymer, ce- ramic, and metal alloy materials ment; and its clones are now electronics, automation, bio- that are far superior to those in beginning to appear in other labo- technology, computing, medical use today. The intelligent proc- ratories, Stanford and MIT to technology, and thin-layer tech- essing approach is based on the report as recent as name but two. The key to ad- nology. A same concepts on which the 1987 d/'dnof include high- vanced magnetic recording de- NIST Advanced Manufacturing vices is the kind of quality in prod- temperature superconductors, Research Facility is built. Continu- its potential emergence uct development that the NIST although ous computerized monitoring noted in the report. An over- SEMPA program has helped to was during processing allows quality ensure. sight? No, the report was in fact to be built in, rather than ensured quite timely. This is just an ex- Technology by post-production testing. (See ample of how quickly new tech- A Department of Commerce article on page 10.) nologies can develop, and you (DOC) report released in 1987 We have also been nurturing may be assured that more sur- provided a status and futures within the Institute a half-dozen prises are out there waiting for us assessment of seven of the most small programs that are develop- This report is currently being re- critical emerging technologies. viewed and updated by the De- These technologies will have an partment and NIST. The Secre-

18 —

ing capabilities for finding, isolat- private-sector standards-setting his needs electronically to a sup- ing, and manipulating individual bodies, helping them to employ plier's manufacturing system. atoms and groups of atoms on the latest technical advances with Quality is improved since product surfaces and in free space. We minimal impediments to manufac- fit and tolerances are encoded have seen "atomic wires" only a ture and trade. NIST brings to the into computerized specifications. few atoms thick (a single human table not only technical expertise, Cost is reduced because proc- hair is a million atoms thick), a but the "third party" objectivity ess engineering is performed cluster of iron atoms that is per- and lack of proprietary interest es- during the design phase, not haps no bigger than a single mag- sential to rapid deployment and after, and machine setup is auto- netic bit, and embryonic liquids acceptance of new advances in mated. Build time and inventory and crystals formed from a hand- science and technology. costs can also be reduced be- ful of atoms. This is measurement Some of the keys to prompt- cause small lots can be more science at the frontier—what ness to market, particularly for easily fabricated. NIST scientists do best— re- expensive and intricate com- At a much more fundamental search that could ultimately have ponents that must work well with level, PDES is an emerging tech- a major impact on several emerg- other products, are product stand- nology that deals with how to rep- ing technologies, including elec- ards, interface standards, and resent a// the required knowledge tronics and thin-layer technology. other agreements and sets of re- about the product or process as

that that can stored, manipu- Technology Transfer quirements aggregate a data be market. The simpler the require- lated, and interpreted by ma- The third element of our mission ments for a new product, the eas- chines without human manipula- is an expanded effort in tech- ier it is to connect with something tion. PDES is a very sophisticated nology transfer. We have, for ex- already out there, the faster it can technological enterprise that ample, selected three organiza- be designed and produced, and deals, in parallel, with the tions to become the first NIST the greater the potential market development of an emerging Regional Manufacturing Tech-

for it. technology (knowledge repre- nology Centers (RMTC's). The PDES, which stands for Prod- sentation) and an emerging stand- goal of these new RMTC's is to as- uct Description Exchange Specifi- ard (a data format). The very un- sist America's small- and mid- cation, is an example of how tech- usual parallel development of sized manufacturers in becoming nology, in this case information both a generic technology and a more competitive by upgrading technology related to the design, standard gives NIST a particularly the technological skills of their

maintenance, and use of unique role to play. I am proud to workforce and by adopting mod- databases, is transferred to in- say that the NIST Automated Man- ern automated manufacturing dustry. PDES is intended to pro- ufacturing Research Facility is technology. This will include, vide a standard format for a re- being used as the national where appropriate, the transfer of pository of measurement data testbed for PDES, and that as a technology from NIST's Auto- about a product—in digital form result NIST has led the effort to es- mated Manufacturing Research that will govern its entire produc- tablish the PDES standard. Facility. tion cycle. The data will describe With our new mandate, we Technology transfer often such things as geometries (no can aggressively respond to op- means taking measurement tech- more blueprints), fit, finish, toler- portunities presented both by the niques off the bench, out of the ances, and complete instructions needs of our society and by the laboratory, and into the real for automated manufacture. constant flux of exciting develop- world. To us at NIST it also means PDES is not the data itself, but the ments in science and technology. serving as a conduit, convener, specification of the format for the and often stimulus to voluntary database. A buyer can then, for example, directly communicate

19 —

Tracking Time

onald B. Sullivan, chief of NIST's Time and Frequency Division,

is fond of leading visitors behind the scenes of his division's

operations. One place he takes them is a dimly lighted, musty,

underground suite of two rooms. In one room sit two oil-fired

generators, and in the other are row upon row of lead-acid storage batteries of the kind used to propel golf carts. These are the

backup power systems for the Guess again. The "clock" that NBS-6 works . . . but NBS-6

NIST timescale. keeps most of the United States hardly works at all.

"You can let a laser-power or running on time is a piece of Because NBS-6 was not de-

a microwave standard go down paper. A piece of paper??!! signed to operate continuously, it

for several days and everything is That's right, a piece of paper that is turned on only about once a

ok. But you can't do that with the spits out of a printer in a room year. For most of the time NIST re-

clock; it has to operate continu- chock full of computer equip- lies on a series—in timekeeping

ously. That's why I like to take visi- ment. There's not even an old- jargon an ensemble—of commer- tors to the battery room, to em- fashioned wall clock adorning cial atomic clocks. There are 12

phasize this point," says Sullivan. that sterile room. clocks in all, encased in en-

And just what is it that oper- But, you argue knowingly, vironmentally controlled metal

ates continuously—a round wall doesn't NIST have one of the chambers in a lab room across clock with well-calibrated ticks? world's most accurate atomic the hall from NBS-6 and next door

A snazzy digital display that clocks? Isn't that what is used to to the sterile computers. And

reads out in microseconds? set the nation's civilian time? that's where the paper comes in.

Well, yes and no. NIST does All 12 of the clocks are wired to

have one of the world's most ac- the computer which every 2 hours

curate clocks (dubbed NBS-6, so asks each clock its time with re-

named when NIST was the spect to ail the others. The result

National Bureau of Standards), of this interrogation is a number

and it does serve as the basis for or more accurately 12 numbers. the timescale. But here's where These numbers are mathemati-

we let you in on a little secret. cally and statistically averaged

NBS-6 is a 20-foot-long stainless and the result, which can be

steel tube resting on a huge shown to be more uniform than

table. The metallic element the best clock in the ensemble, is

cesium is cooked at one end of the official atomic time of NIST.

the tube until it is vaporized and Or is it?

sent rushing down the tube. The Here's where we let you in on

vibrations of the cesium atoms secret number two. There are

are counted electronically and, several timescales. First there is David W. Allan explains the methods used to measure billion vibra- the timescale that is traceable performance of different clocks and to transfer time after more than 9 worldwide. tions, 1 second of time has directly to calibrations using

elapsed. Its accuracy is 1 second

in 300,000 years. That's how

20 NBS-6—this is termed atomic ers are David W. Allan, a physi-

time, TA(NIST). Tlnen there is the cist and statistician, who has per- raw time generated by the en- fected the mathematical formula—

semble of commercial cesium or algorithm—that is the basis of

clocks—this is atomic time 1, the paper clock, and Judah

AT1(NIST). Finally atomic time 1 Levine, another physicist who is

has added to it or subtracted an expert in computer hardware

from it enough time to make it syn- and software.

chronous with the international According to Levine, the differ- timescale—this is called universal ent timescales are driven by the coordinated time, UTC(NIST), needs of different users. The tele-

But wait, there's more. NIST communications industry, for in-

feeds to the International Bureau stance, wants a timescale that is

of Weights and Measures (BIPM) linked to the Earth's rotation or, in

in Paris the readings of its three Levine's words, a timescale Physicist David J. Glaze adjusts NIST's newest atomic clocl(—NIST-7. timescales. BIPM takes the feed where, at noon, "the sun is over- from NIST and 39 other contribut- head." These users receive the

ing countries, averages them, NIST version of UTC. A radio not the clocks. "The software and issues the official universal astronomy observatory or a crashes about twice a year and coordinated time. It is all a paper frequency counter manufacturer, we lose our real time capabilities. process; there is no official, physi- for example, is interested in We've lost our ability to tell you cal clock at the BIPM. NIST takes atomic time, AT(NIST), because what time it is but the clocks the data from Paris and once a their real requirement is fre- haven't stopped," Levine adds. month uses it to correct—or quency stability. Since AT(NIST), When the computer comes back steer— its own UTC(NIST) is derived from NBS-6, it provides on-line it picks up the count from timescale to conform to the inter- the best frequency count cur- the continuously operating clocks. national one. But, strangely rently obtainable. "What you want Additionally, one of the enough, by the time NIST re- to know is that after 9 billion cesium clocks has a steered out- ceives the Paris data and makes oscillations of the cesium atom ex- put which is kept within one-half a the adjustments for UTC(NIST), actly 1 second has elapsed. nanosecond (billionth of a sec- as many as 2 months have You're not interested in the time ond) of the computed scale. If the elapsed. Since most customers of day," Levine notes, adding that computer goes down, this don't want to wait 2 months for this scale "is most useful for cali- steered clock wanders away from the official world time, they take brating secondary frequency computed time very slowly—on the best they can get from NIST, standards." the order of 1 nanosecond per which is usually within one-fourth It is Levine's job to keep the day. NIST's primary time dissemi- to one-half of a microsecond of computer up to the job of main- nation services are not affected world time. taining the various timescales. "A by such computer glitches. Radio Who are the people that pro- monster computer program runs stations WWV (Fort Collins, Colo.) vide the nation with such accu- all of these processes. It continu- and WWVH (Kauai, Hawaii), rate time? Before the advent of ally looks at the algorithm and where most users get their time in-

atomic timekeeping, it was monitors the clocks for their formation, have their own cesium astronomers who had charge of 'health.' It may automatically take clocks which are coordinated

the world's clocks. Today it is one clock off-line if it misbe- with the time scale but are not dis- mathematicians, physicists, elec- haves," Levine says. The com- turbed by computer failures; the trical engineers, and computer ex- puter has been known to fail but satellite time service is not af- perts. At NIST, two of the key play- fected either.

21 Levine is currently overseeing and comes up with a paper time. algorithm he has developed as- a switch of computer systems. "If you design the algorithm right, signs weights to each clock in the

The old computer does not have you can have a time output that's system, so a clock that is inher- enough data analysis capability better than any one clock individu- ently less stable will be assigned and has become costly to main- ally," says Allan, adding, "each a much lower weight. Once part

tain. The new computer system is time I add information to the sys- of the ensemble, the clock's per-

being installed, and both systems tem, I know more ... the sum formance is carefully monitored will run in parallel for 3 or 4 is better than any one of its parts." for changes over time, and these months until all the bugs are Allan says it almost doesn't changes are factored into the worked out. matter whether he adds a "good" formula. Because the paper time

Just as important as the com- or a "bad" clock to the system, so output is better than any one of puter system is the algorithm that long as the performance of the the clocks in the ensemble, a combines the data, makes al- new clock is well known before it physical clock is adjusted peri- lowances for errors and biases. is added to the ensemble. The odically so that it is kept within

NIST Time and Frequency Services

How does NIST disseminate its NIST also disseminates time code information time and frequency information? via satellite, utilizing two National Oceanic and At- The oldest and most popular service is radio sta- mospheric Administration GOES weather satel- tion WWV, near Fort Collins, Colo., which has lites. The coverage includes North and South

broadcasting since 1923. It covers the conti- been America plus portions of the Atlantic and Pacific nental United States and broadcasts at 2.5, 5, 10, oceans. This digital time code is accurate to on the short-wave band. A sister 15, and 20 MHz within 100 microseconds, depending on knowl- station, WWVH, broadcasts to the Pacific basin edge of the position of the satellite. Kauai, Hawaii, all but the from on 20-MHz The newest dissemination service, the Auto- frequency. broadcasts include standard The mated Computer Time Service (ACTS), which just frequencies and time intervals, the time (both completed its first year of operation, provides voice and digital code), astronomical time correc- millisecond accuracy for computer clocks and tions, and public service announcements, such other digital systems using telephone lines. This alerts, and radio as marine weather, geophysical service includes automatic compensation for information. accuracy of these propagation The telephone-line delay and advanced notices for broadcasts, as received, is between 1 and changes to and from daylight savings time as milliseconds. telephone time service, which 10 A well as leap seconds. carries the WWV broadcast, is available by dial-

ing 303/499-71 1 1 (atoll call). Who uses these services and why?

Another NIST radio station, WWVB, broad- One major user is the communications industry. casts a digital time code at the standard fre- Radio and television stations use WWV and

quency of 60 kHz. Also located near Fort Collins, WWVB to maintain accurately their allocated

this low-frequency station, which covers the conti- frequencies to comply with Federal Communica-

nental United States, has an accuracy for time tions Commission regulations. Networks and sta-

comparisons of between 0.1 and 1 millisecond. tions time their broadcasts via WWV, WWVB, or

Its 60-kHz carrier frequency can be used for GOES. Telephone companies use the radio sta-

frequency calibrations with an accuracy of better tions to set their time-of-day services and to time

than 1 part in 100 billion.

22 — —

one-half of a nanosecond of the algorithm is being developed by by tenfold; it will be accurate to 1

paper clock. In Allan's terms, the the U.S. Air Force for its own second in 3 million years. A

steered clock "chases" the paper timing purposes. cesium clock, it will use laser

clock. "We are virtually unique in Can the NIST timescale sys- light instead of magnetic fields for

that respect," he says, noting that tem be improved? The answer is atom state selection. "NIST-7 will

many other countries prefer to a resounding "yes!" In the next run more continuously because it have a physical—versus paper 2 years, NIST hopes to bring on- can estimate errors more easily,"

clock as their final timekeeping line its newest atomic clock says Sullivan. This more frequent

output. Two nations that have NIST-7—which will replace NBS-6 operation will add more data

elected to go the paper route and as the nation's primary standard. points to the algorithm for averag-

have adopted variant versions of NIST-7, which is now in the final ing the NIST timescale, making it

Allan's mathematical formula for stages of construction and test- more accurate and reliable than their timekeeping systems are ing, will improve long-term stabil- ever. F.M.

Israel and Switzerland. A similar ity and frequency uncertainty

long-distance calls. In still another application, tion systems; pleasure boaters also use WWV re- the New York City Fire Department uses a com- ceivers as a time reference for celestial naviga-

mercial WWVB receiver to insert a time code on tion. The United States Coast Guard uses WWVB

all of its 91 1 emergency calls. NIST time and receivers on all of its ocean-going ships for frequency dissemination services are also used frequency and time control.

to synchronize data transmissions. Other users of NIST time services include oil

The electric power industry is another major exploration and drilling companies for position lo-

user of NIST services obtaining a master time ref- cation, private and government calibration labora-

erence for its transmission grid, a frequency refer- tories for calibration of various pieces of high-

ence to maintain accurately the power frequency tech equipment, the national space agency for

at 60 hertz, power flow monitoring, fault analysis, timing of various deep space missions, the music and precise characterization of power networks industry for standard musical tones, and law en-

for stability analysis. One power company uses forcement agencies for the calibration of tuning

WWVB to synchronize data transmissions from forks used with radar speed guns. One interest-

15 substations that feed data into a central data ing user of the WWVB sepi/ice is Walt Disney

bank. World in Orlando, Fla., which uses one WWVB re-

The transportation industry depends on NIST ceiver to set time for its primary computer system

to provide a time reference for scheduling rail- and another to time all of the various shows and

road operations, as a tinne base for Federal Avia- animation sequences in the sprawling theme park.

tion Administration voice recorders in airport con-

How can I get more information about tiiese trol towers, for air traffic control operations and NIST services? analysis, for cockpit flight recorder timing, and for For general information about NIST time dissemi- automatic synchronization of traffic light opera- nation services, contact Roger E. Beehler, NIST, tions. In the latter application, the County of Los Time and Frequency Division, Boulder, CO Angeles recently purchased 1,000 commercial

80303, 303/497-3281 . For software to access the traffic-light controllers, all of which derive their Automated Computer Time Service, contact the time from WWV, to regulate traffic flow along busy Office of Standard Reference Materials, NIST, commuter corridors. B31 1 Chemistry Building, Gaithersburg, MD WWV receivers are common on larger ships 20899, 301/975-6776; ask for product RM8101. as part of a timing reference for electronic naviga-

23 Movies Reveal Secrets of Materials

ngineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colo., are in the movie business—but their objective is not to pack in theaters. Using supercomputers and fancy computer-generated graphics that would impress Hollywood, they are trying to understand better how new composite mate- rials- -particularly graphite epoxy—stand up under stress and strain.

With sophisticated mathematical and defense industries. An ex- making the material "invisible" to modeling techniques, they are tremely lightweight but stiff and detection. able to simulate a stress wave durable new material, it is used Oil companies are also inter- moving through a piece of extensively on the Air Force's new ested in using graphite epoxy for graphite epoxy and—for the first stealth bomber, and the Navy is tethers on deep-sea oil-drilling time—view the progression of this considering using 20-inch-thick platforms. The tethers need to be wave in three dimensions from layers of graphite epoxy for the stiff to keep the platform stable different planes and perspectives. hulls of submarines. Of particular and strong enough not to break

They are focusing their initial interest to the military is the under the tremendous pressure. efforts on graphite epoxy be- fact that graphite epoxy "We are looking for ways cause it is coming into wide- absorbs radar and to evaluate this material non- spread use in the aerospace sound waves. destructively. One way is to

This computer- ^^sa^i^a^ generated diagram stiows a stress wave moving along the fiber orientation in a uni- directional graphite/epoxy composite. Each of the five humps represents one of the periods of the urave and the ripples coming off of these periods.

24 —

put transducers on the material to material breaks into two waves techniques for these composite show how the stress waves propa- one shear and one longitudinal. materials," Kriz notes. Working gate through the material," says Once they reach the edge of the with NDE design engineers, Kriz

Ronald D. Kriz, a mechanical en- block, they bulge slightly and are will be able to predict where the

gineer in NIST's Fracture and reflected back along the same sound wave will go, the shape of

Deformation Division. If graphite path. One small wave, apparently the wave, and the time it will take

epoxy were a clear material, it a reflection, goes off in another to propagate and reflect back. would be possible physically to direction. "This was not pre- "Before, this was done by trial

see the waves moving through. dicted," says Kriz. and error techniques," Kriz says.

But because it is opaque, Kriz Movies give the researchers In many ways, the NIST re-

has had to resort to computer perspectives that were never searchers are blazing new trails simulation of the stress waves. available before. The more mov- in the way that scientific data are

Working with John M. Gary of ies they make and the closer they presented. For many portions of the Scientific Computing Division, inspect them, the clearer things their work, videocassette tapes

Kriz developed a simulated block become. "The simulation is are more important than written re of graphite epoxy containing starting to make sense concern- ports with static diagrams. They

80,100 elements. A sound wave ing what we measure in the labo- are sharing these tapes with col- was "passed through" the block, ratory," Kriz notes. A little blip in a leagues in the same field of re- taking almost 3 hours to propa- wave pattern that showed up on a search and have been asked to

gate and using up virtually all static diagram now can be traced present their movie results at two the memory of NIST's supercom- as a break-off wave and followed conferences: The International

puter. When the results of the dynamically through its cycle. Union of Theoretical and Applied computer simulation were com- Mechanics conference on elastic

pared with theoretical models, wave propagation and ultrasonic there was a difference of less "By converting to a nondestructive evaluation at the

percent, giving Kriz University of Colorado and the Re than 2 and movie, we are able to Gary confidence that their view of Progress in Quantitative confirm what lias been method was valid. Nondestructive Evaluation in More recently, Gary has come assumed about wave Brunswick, Maine. up with new numerical tech- The next step is to go to a propagation but never niques that have reduced the more advanced computer, called

time to propagate a wave through visualized before." a connection machine, which

the simulated material to 40 sec- may reduce the processing time

onds and to use much less com- to less than a second and enable "I never saw the connection the block of graphite epoxy to be puter memory. between the Rayleigh surface projected in a three-dimensional, Using advanced computer waves and the wakes of the prop- perspective. Kriz and Gary graphics, they are able to convert agating bulk waves before," Kriz cube their data into moving repre- also have been working with two says, adding, "I never realized Boulder computer graphics com- sentations of the wave passing these two phenomena were con- panies. Precision Visuals, Inc., through the material. "By convert- nected. This simulation clearly and G.W. Hannaway and Associ- ing to a movie, we are able to con- shows the connection between improve the quality of firm what has been assumed these two phenomena." ates, to their movies. F.M. about wave propagation but "The purpose of the simulation never visualized before," says is to aid in the design of new non- Kriz. One pulse sent through the destructive evaluation (NDE)

25 Technique Sterilizes Ciinicai instruments in Seconds

he time needed to sterilize dental and medical instruments now can be reduced from hours to seconds by an innovative proc- ess developed by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The new sterilization method completely disin-

fects instruments in 30 seconds when they are treated by a microwave-generated gas plasma. The gas plasma is produced in a

container that holds the contami- De Rijk says, "We are inter- easy to use as a household micro- nated instruments inside a con- ested in producing a simple sterili- wave oven," He emphasizes ventional microwave oven. zation method that will be as that the new process offers an The technique should help health-care professionals improve patient care, and it may reduce the damage to expensive instru- ments caused by repeated expo- sure to time-consuming, tradi- tional sterilization methods.

Two NIST scientists,

Waldemar de Rijk, dentist and physicist, and John A. Tesk, leader of the dental and medical materials group, collaborated on the microwave sterilization project.

The scientists have filed a patent application, and de Rijk is working with other researchers to measure how the treating proc- ess affects various materials and microorganisms. He also hopes Waldemar de Rijk, front, and John A. Tesk sterilize clinical instruments with to work with industry to develop a their new microwave-generated gas plasma method. practical sterilizing appliance in which a gas plasma can be used routinely in health-care facilities.

26 inexpensive and rapid way to more effective and easier to which 'denatures' or destroys sterilize instruments. TInis is impor- adapt for health-care use. their protein," says de Rijk. tant because some tools are re- But first the scientists had to Other explanations are being used more than 10 times each find a way to treat metal instru- investigated. day. ments in a microwave unit without Initial trials show it is the gas

It is estimated there are ap- the severe arcing that can dam- plasma that kills all of the or- proximately 80,000 sterilizing age the magnetron energy ganisms on artificially contami- apparatuses in dental offices, source in the appliance. The nated instruments. Previous ex- clinics, hospitals, and other periments with test strips with health-care facilities throughout microbial spores and contami- the United States. Most sterilizers Initial trials show nated instruments revealed that are either dry heat or steam auto- organisms can survive micro- it is the gas plasma clave, with the latter being the wave radiation alone or in a that Idllsallof the most common. Both processes vacuum without the radiation. take 1 1/5 to 2 hours to complete a organisms on artifi- Both are required to produce the sterilization cycle. gas plasma. Biological studies on cially contaminated Continued heat sterilization test spore strips and contami- can take its toll on equipment. instruments. nated instruments are being con-

The rubber seals and gaskets in ducted for NIST by Lance L. most dental handpieces fail when problem was solved by placing Forsythe and Mark D. Gilberts of exposed to dry heat at tempera- the U.S. Naval Dental School in metal instruments in a glass con- tures of Bethesda, Md. 160 to 170 °C. Repeated tainer inside a microwave oven steam-autoclave exposure at Tesk says, "The new micro- and then evacuating the air in the temperatures of 120 or more wave radiation sterilization °C container to create a low vacuum can dull the cutting of den- method for dental and medical edges or a rarified atmosphere. When tal metal burs used for cavity instruments is an example of how microwaves are applied, the at- preparation. These high tempera- our research can improve the mosphere is ignited and be- tures also instru- safe, efficient, and economical can anneal metal comes a low-pressure ionized ments, changing their strength use of dental and medical mate- gas that destroys the micro- rials instruments benefit and hardness. organisms. The gas plasma pre- and to Despite these shortcomings, consumers and health-care vents the electric arcing of metal Rijk the detrimental ef- professionals." De says objects. fects from high-temperature The NIST microwave radiation The scientists found that processes are preferred over research project is supported in both metal and nonmetallic in- alternative cold chemical treat- part by the National Institute of struments can be sterilized by Dental Research (NIDR), one of ments which may not destroy all the new microwave process. of the microbial spores and the National Institutes of Health, De Rijk points out that even after viruses on instruments. a primary sponsor of dental re- 1 minute of exposure, the sur- In addition to conventional search and related training in the faces of the instruments are sterilization methods, gas United States. heated to no more than 60 °C, a information on the micro- plasmas generated by radio- temperature much lower than con- For wave-generated gas plasma frequency electromagnetic waves ventional heat processes. "We also sterilization process, contact: have been used to destroy are speculating that the micro- organic John A. Tesk, NIST, A143 Poly- matter on mirror-smooth organisms are being killed by ion surfaces. Tesk Rijk mer BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD and de de- bombardment in the plasma cided to investigate microwave 20899,301/975-6801. R.R. technology because it could be

27 Can Smoke Control Systems Save Lives and Property?

is a killer. Just minutes after most fires start, it can be Smokemoving steadily through a building, clogging stairwells and hall- ways, cutting off escape routes, and inhibiting fire fighting.

Each year, fires in the United States take nearly 6,000 lives. Yet,

contrary to what people might think, these deaths are not all caused by fire and flame. Data compiled by the National Center for

Health Statistics indicate tinat never been tested under full- helped confine the smoke to the smoke inhalation deaths exceed scale conditions either in a simu- fire floor from which it was ex-

burn deaths by a margin of lated situation, such as we've hausted to the outside. Much of

roughly two to one. done, or during a real-life fire," the air-handling equipment used

In theory, smoke control sys- he said. for this project was loaned to tems can protect life and property The NIST tests were con- NIST by the Air Movement and

by producing pressure differ- ducted in the former Plaza Hotel, Control Association, Inc. Other ences across barriers, such as a seven-story building in Washing- groups sponsoring this research walls, floors, ceilings, and interior ton, D.C., which is scheduled for were the Architect of the Capitol; partitions of the building, to re- demolition. The researchers American Society of Heating, Re- strict smoke movement and direct burned stacks of wood placed in frigerating, and Air-Conditioning it away from the inhabitants. How- Engineers, Inc.; Bell Atlantic Tele- ever, the technology is relatively phone Company; New Jersey Bell young and is based primarily on . . . NIST research- Telephone Company; U.S. Fire engineering principles and judg- Administration; U.S. Veterans Ad- ers conducted the first ment. To be sure the systems re- ministration; and US West, Inc. full-scale tests ally protect building occupants known For the course of the NiST from deadly fumes, NIST re- in the United States of experiments, the building was searchers conducted the first fitted with instruments—video these systems. known full-scale tests in the cameras, thermocouples, and United states of these systems. smoke meters—to trace the flow simulate "The theory is they will work," a second-floor room to a of smoke and measure its com- says mechanical engineer John fully involved fire in a furnished position, density, and tempera-

Klote, head of the research proj- room. Using large fans and ture. Natural ventilation flows in ect at the NIST Center for Fire Re- ducts, the floors above and the building, which can cause

the fire floor the stair- search. "But the reality is they've below and smoke to move up or down stair- well were pressurized. This

28 wells and elevator shafts, were ex- scale physical models can pre- nomena of fire, providing knowl- amined. The fire itself was moni- dict accurately the behavior of a edge for fire safety; develops the tored to determine its heat output full-scale system in a building. underlying technical support for and rate of fuel consumption. In The computer models are new safety standards; and gener- addition, in one experiment, the being developed by the NIST ates the engineering methods

NIST researchers examined the Center for Fire Research to pre- needed to support the practice of effect of a sprinkler on the fire dict fire and smoke movement fire protection engineering. and smoke spread when the through a building and the vulner- smoke control system was in ability of occupants to fire. These operation. All of these measure- models make it possible to dupli- NIST'S research ments were recorded on a data cate, within a limited budget, real results will be used acquisition computer, and video fire situations. It is far less costly to evaluate current recordings documented events at and far more practical to "burn" a key locations. room or building using a com- guidelines for smoke NIST's research results will be puter. Several models are avail- control systems. . . . used to evaluate current guide- able and can be used on per- lines for smoke control systems, sonal computers. The NIST Fire including those developed in Simulation Laboratory gives the NIST scientists and engineers fires 1983 by NIST in conjunction with fire protection community, as well conduct research on how start and spread and how they can be detected and sup-

pressed. This research leads to

realistic material test methods,

cost-effective fire safety design

concepts, and new methods of

fire control and extinguishment.

Some of the research being con-

ducted at NIST includes studies on the physics and chemistry of

fire, flame spread, sprinkler sys-

tems, the lethal effects of smoke,

and the heat given off by furniture and wall coverings. NIST does not promulgate or enforce standards or regulations.

It provides technical support to

Located on the first floor of ttie hotel was the data acquisition computer where voluntary standards and model

John Klote (standing), Richard Zile (seated left), and Darren Lowe monitored codes groups, the engineering

events during the fire. and design community, the

building industry, fire services,

and fire protection organizations. the American Society of Heating, as architects, codes officials, and It also provides scientifically Refrigerating, and Air-Condition- others, the opportunity to learn based recommendations to ing Engineers, Inc. The informa- about these models and obtain other government agencies that tion also will be used to develop "hands-on" experience. have fire safety or regulatory and validate computer models The NIST Center for Fire Re- responsibility. J.K. and to determine whether small- search investigates the scientific principles that govern the phe-

29 New Publications

1989 Directory of NVLAP electronics manufacturers and exporters The second version of stable im- Accredited Laboratories the standardization system as it exists in plementation specifications for OSI the PRC and reports on the role of the (Open Systems Interconnection) Donaldson, J.L. and Horlick, J., Natl. Inst. China State Bureau of Standards in the protocols has been agreed to and is Stand. Tech. (U.S.), NISTIR 89-4056, & standards coordination process. "U.S. available. These agreements are based 56 pages (April 1989). Order by stock trade missions can expect great success on recognized international OSI stand- no. PB 89-189278 from NTIS, $15.95 if the Chinese government agencies con- ards and were reached by vendors and prepaid. cerned with major joint venture projects users participating in the NIST Workshop

200 labs nationwide and are shown that solutions to their major for implementors of OSI. They support About problems and expertise suiting their inter- the second version of the Federal Infor- abroad are listed here that are ac- ests are available from U.S. companies," mation Processing Standard for credited by NIST for specific test GOSIP says Lin. Information on the impact of (Government Open Systems Inter- methods in various fields of testing as of China's quality program on U.S. export connection Profile), which is expected April 1 , 1989. The current fields are opportunities also is included. later this year. acoustics; carpet; commercial prod- to be proposed The agreements are considered advanced ucts—paint, paper, plastic, and seals for in product test suite and sealants; computer protocols; con- enough use and development. struction testing services—concrete, ce- Theory and Measurements of ment, aggregates, soil and rock, Radiated Emissions Using admixtures, geotextiles, road and aTEIVI Cell paving; personnel radiation dosimetry; NBS Reactor: Summary of Koepke, G.H., Ma, M.T., and Bensema, electromagnetic compatibility and tele- Activities—July 1987 through W.D., Natl. Inst. Stand. & Tech. (U.S.), communications; solid fuel room heaters; June 1988 NIST Tech. Note 1326, 40 pages and thermal insulation. The labs are (January 1989). Order by stock no. 003- O'Connor, C, editor, Natl. Inst. Stand. & listed alphabetically by name, field of 003-02932-7 from GPO, $2.25 prepaid. Tech. (U.S.), NIST Tech. Note 1257, testing, and state. For information on 227 pages (January 1989). Order by NVLAP programs, including the new bulk electromagnetic (TEM) Transverse stock no. 003-003-02920-3 from GPO. asbestos analysis program, contact: cells are used widely for estab- National Voluntary Laboratory Accredita- lishing a known electromagnetic National Institute of Standards

, The tion, NIST, A124 BIdg. 41 1 Gaithers- field for susceptibility testing and and Technology (formerly National burg, MD 20899, 301/975-4016. antenna calibrations. This publication Bureau of Standards) reactor offers theoretical information and some serves the needs of NIST, other govern-

practical tips for using TEM cells. The re- ment agencies, and outside organiza- The Effect of Chinese port addresses mechanical requirements tions as a national center for the Standardization on for positioning the test equipment inside application of neutron methods to prob- the cell, problems associated with ca- lems of national interest. Operating at U.S. Export Opportunities bles, single- and multi-frequency meas- 20 MW, the Institute's reactor supports Lin, Y., Natl. Inst. Stand. & Tech. (U.S.), urements, and use of a computer system 25 experimental facilities, ranging from in- NISTIR 88-4000, 15 pages (December for automated measurements. tense neutron beams to extensive irradia- 89- 1988). Order by stock no. PB tion facilities. A major expansion of the prepaid. 166128/AS from NTIS, $6.95 experimental facilities is currently under

way. A cold neutron source has been in- Technical information exchange pro- Stable Implementation stalled, and construction of a large grams between the U.S. and the Agreements for Open Systems neutron guide hall is completed. The People's Republic of China (PRC) Interconnection Protocols guide hall will accommodate 15 new in- and more U.S. trade missions to China Boland, T., editor, Natl. Inst. Stand. & struments. This will be a national facility will encourage the adoption of U.S. stand- Tech. (U.S.), NIST Spec. Pub. 500-162, providing state-of-the-art instruments that ards as well as increase trade between 508 pages (December 1988). Order by are currently unavailable in the United the two countries," says Yan Lin, NIST stock no. 003-003-02921-1 from GPO, States. guest scientist, in this publication. Lin, $26 prepaid. This report summarizes work accom- from the China Electronics Stand- plished in the period July 1987 through ardization Institute, describes for U.S. June 1988. The programs cited range

30 ——

from the use of neutron beams to study Pub. 260-107, 67 pages (November NIST Center for Radiation Research as the structure and dynamics of materials 1988). Order by stock no. 003-003- well as consultation services, participa- through nuclear physics and neutron 0291 1-4 from GPO, $3.75 prepaid. tion on technical and professional com- standards to sample irradiations for acti- mittees, invited talks, and technical series of microscope experi- vation analysis, isotope production, publications. ments for students is described radiography, nondestructive A neutron and in this report on the construction, evaluation. preparation, and recommended uses of Standard Reference Material (SRM) An Electrochemical Technique for 1965, Microsphere Slide, 10-Micrometer Rapidly Evaluating Protective

GATT Standards Code Activities Polystyrene Spheres. The SRM is a Coatings on Metals of the National Institute of microscope slide with the first commer- Lin, C. and Nguyen T., Natl. Inst. Stand. Standards and Technology 1988 cial product made in space—the &Tech. (U.S.), NIST Tech. Note 1253, 10-micrometer polystyrene spheres Overman, J.R., Natl. Inst. Stand. & Tech. 23 pages (October 1988). Order by deposited on it. The SRM is an education (U.S.), NISTIR 89-4074, 38 pages stock no. 003-003-02910-6 from GPO, tool as well as a standard to calibrate (March 1989). Order by sending a self- $1.50 prepaid. microscopes for small particle measure- addressed mailing label to the Office of ments. The spheres are arranged in two researchers have developed Standards Code and Information, NIST, NIST types of groupings. One is an "un- a fast, reliable technique for eval- A629 Administration BIdg., Gaithersburg, ordered" arrangement, resembling uating the performance of or- MD 20899, 301/975-4037. strings of beads. The other grouping is ganic coatings used for controlling The NIST Office of Standards Code an "ordered" two-dimensional hexagonal metallic corrosion. In addition to being a and Information (SCI) serves as array for use as a microlength standard threat to the safety and reliability of struc- the U.S. GATT (General Agree- and to act as a "stage" micrometer. tures and products, metallic corrosion an ment on Tariffs and Trade) inquiry point nually costs the United States an for information on standards and certifica- estimated $160 billion. About one-fourth tion activities that might significantly of this cost is for paints, platings, or other Center for Radiation Research affect U.S. trade. This publication de- surface coatings used to combat corro- 1988 Technical Activities scribes SCI's activities over the past sion. While other evaluation methods are year. These include coordination of com- Kuyatt, C.E., Natl. Inst. Stand. & Tech. available, they often are time consuming, ments on foreign regulations, translations (U.S.), NISTIR 88-3869, 261 pages sometimes taking months, or may require of foreign texts, and the operation of the (November 1988). Order from the Center expensive equipment. The new NIST

GATT "hotline" (301/975-4041, not toll for Radiation Research, NIST, C229 electrochemical technique is quick free) that provides the latest information Radiation Research BIdg., Gaithersburg, (15 minutes to several hours depending on notifications of proposed foreign regu- MD 20899, 301/975-6090. on the coating), reproducible, and lations issued by the GATT Secretariat in causes very little perturbation to the coat- Interaction of radiation with matter cuts Geneva, Switzerland. SCI also provides ing. In addition, the testing procedure is a broad swath across science and technical assistance to the Office of the simple and uses commonly available technology, with applications—or im- U.S. Trade Representative in developing instrumentation. plications—in the development of ad- proposals to enhance the Standards vanced materials, electronic components Code. Special reports include the recent and technology, biotechnology, thin- summary of European Community plans layer technology, and medical tech- Ordering Information to achieve an internal market by 1992 report from NIST details the nology. A To order publications from NTIS, send re- and the standards-related implications of agency's 1988 research activities in all quest with payment to: National Techni- such a program on U.S. exports. these areas, as well as in the more cal Information Service, Springfield, VA provid- fundamental task of making and 22161. Publications can be ordered from measurements across the ing accurate GPO by mailing the order with payment Description of the 1965 optical ionizing radiation spectrum. SRM and to Superintendent of Documents, U.S. technical ac- Microsphere Slide The report summarizes the Government Printing Office, Washington, tivities of the five major divisions in the Hartman, A.W. and McKenzie, R.L., Natl. DC 20402.

Inst. Stand. & Tech. (U.S.), NIST Spec.

31 Conference Calendar

can Physical Society, the Department of vestments in space activities while work- Energy, and NIST. Contact: Yong-Ki Kim, ing to reduce launch fabrication and

12th International Symposium NIST, A267 Physics BIdg., Gaithersburg, operations costs. In order to develop rec- on Polynuclear Aromatic MD 20899, 301/975-3203. ommendations on future industrial activ- Hydrocarbons ity in low-Earth orbit, this conference will consist of keynote presentations on NIST, Gaithersburg, MD major topical areas and a follow-up work-

The major focal point for multidisciplinary shop in each area. A draft report on each research on this important class of chemi- workshop will be presented at the end of 12th Computer Security cal species, this symposium encourages the conference. Sponsored by NIST and Conference—Information open discussions among scientists repre- the Office of Space Commerce of the De- senting government, academic institu- Systems Security: Solutions for partment of Commerce. Contact: William tions, industry, and research facilities in- Today, Concepts for Tomorrow Stone, NIST, B168 Building Research vestigating the chemical properties and BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD 20899, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD biological effects of these compounds. 301/975-6075.

The 1989 meeting will include presenta- This conference provides a forum for the tions on parent hydrocarbon PAH's as government and private sector to share weW as heteroatomic species and PAH information technologies, present and fu- 5-8, derivatives including amino, nitro, and ture, that are designed to meet the ever- February 1990 halogen substituted compounds. Topics growing challenge of telecommunica- Fourth International Symposium include adducts, bioactivity, carcino- tions and automated information systems on Biological and Environmental genesis, mutagenicity, cell transforma- security. The conference will offer multi- Materials—BERIVI-4 tion, detoxification, epidemiology, pollu- ple tracks for the needs of users, ven- Reference tion exposure, dors, and the research and development modeling, occupational Sonesta Village Hotel, Orlando, FL organic synthesis, and environmental communities. Topics will include: sys- major of these symposia, held studies. Sponsored by NIST, the National tems application guidance, security edu- The aim approximately every 2 years, is to bring Institutes of Health, and Battelle Memo- cation and training, evaluation and certifi- together efforts in the production, study, rial Institute. Contact: Willie E. May, NIST, cation, innovations and new products, reference materials in the ana- A113 Chemistry BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD management and administration, and dis- and use of 20899,301/975-3108. aster prevention and recovery. Spon- lytical, biological, biomedical, clinical, en- sored by NIST and the National Com- vironmental, and nutritional communities. puter Security Center. Contact: Irene The third symposium, held in May 1988

Gilbert, NIST, A254 Technology BIdg., in Bayreuth, Bavaria, FRG, provided an October 2-6, 1989 Gaithersburg, MD 20899, 301/975-3360. opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas and views on a variety of topics.

Atomic Processes in Plasmas This fourth symposium is expected to broaden these discussions as well as NIST, Gaithersburg, MD November 20-22, 1989 focus on more specific aspects of future Among the subjects to be discussed at research on problems and projects dis- this biennial meeting of international ex- Reducing the Cost of Space cussed at the previous symposia. Spon- perts are atomic processes relevant to Infrastructure and Operations sored by the Department of Agriculture, plasma applications, such as material the Department of Commerce, NIST, and NISI, Gaithersburg, MD processing by plasmas, x-ray lasers, fu- the Food and Drug Administration. Con- sion, and astrophysics. This conference Entrepreneurs at this conference will dis- tact: Wayne R. Wolf, NIST, 8311 Chemis- combines the series previously known as cuss methods of reducing the cost of try BIdg., Gaithersburg, MD 20899, the APS Topical Conference on Atomic commercial enterprise in low-Earth orbit. 301/975-2030.

Processes in High-Temperature Plasmas The great cost of space infrastructure

with the International Conference/Work- and operations is presently limiting the shop on the Radiative Properties of Hot extent of commercial participation in Dense Matter. Sponsored by the Ameri- space activities. Meanwhile, the private

sector is being urged to make major in-

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