ide to NIST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Technology Administration www.nist.gov On the cover: Graphics of scientific and engineering data or calculations often are used by NIST researchers to improve under- standing of production processes, measurement methods, or scientific experiments. Shown on the cover from right to left are computer-generated graphics of: • a scanning electron micrograph of a negatively charged diamond tip used in measuring surface roughness; • an atomic-level image of chromium atoms (bumps) alloyed in iron (flat areas ) made as part of a study of new magnetic recording and storage materials; • a cubane molecule superimposed on a plot used to describe how these unusual cube-shaped molecules stack together in a solid; • magnetic data "tracks" encoded on a prototype reference sample that can be used to help improve the quality of computer disks; • tree-like crystals growing as a pure metal solidifies; • the microstructure of a tin-oxide film used in arrays of tiny sensors for detecting gases; • the extent of chemical degradation on a biosensor film exposed to an elec- tron beam—heights of raised areas correspond to the degree of damage in those areas; and • the movement of smoke particulates and combustion products from burn- ing of a crude oil spill as predicted by the NIST software program, ALOFT. — FOREWORD Success in business these days is about spe- Finally, the Baldrige National Quality Pro- cialties and partnerships—knowing what gram provides information to companies of you're good at and teaming with others to all sizes on how to continuously improve do everything else. At the National Institute their products, services, and processes of Standards and Technology, our specialty through effective business and quality is technology and business infrastructure management. putting in place key ingredients that indus- I see several challenges ahead for NIST's try7 needs to thrive and help the economy future. Shortening of product cycles, grow. Partnerships are central to everything globalization of standards, the next genera- we do. Infrastructure has no value if it is not tion Internet, continuous education and used. training—these are trends that will pro- This Guide to NIST is designed to help make foundly affect the business of U.S. industry. forming partnerships with NIST a little eas- NIST is responding with a number of new ier. Here you will find descriptions for more initiatives including the construction of new than 300 different programs and projects world-class research facilities, support for a along with contact names, phone numbers, comprehensive national standards strategy, addresses, and World Wide Web sites. increased emphasis by the ATP on joint ventures and participation by small to mid- An agency of the U.S. Department of Com- sized firms, improved access for smaller merce's Technology Administration, NIST's manufacturers to MEP centers, and promo- mission is to promote U.S. economic growth tion of quality management concepts for the by working with industry to develop and healthcare and education sectors. apply technology, measurements, and stand- ards. It carries out this mission through four And as we anticipate both the new millen- major programs, each one addressing differ- nium and NIST's 100th anniversary in 2001, ent components of the technology pipeline. we're confident that some things will stay the same—namely our commitment to NIST's seven disciplinary Measurement and accuracy, fairness, and scientific excellence. Standards Laboratories work at all stages of NIST's vision is to be the best in the world at the pipeline from advancing basic science what we do. We hope you'll take a moment and pioneering new measurement methods now to stroll through these pages and see to the development of standard test methods, how your organization might benefit by materials, and data to ensure the quality of joining us in that quest. commercial products. The Advanced Technology Program helps fill the gaps that often exist between basic research advances and commercialization by providing cost-shared funding to industry for development of high-risk, "enabling" technologies with broad commercial potential. Raymond Kammer, Director email: [email protected] The Manufacturing Extension Partnership uses a nationwide network of centers to help smaller manufacturers adopt technolo- gies and business practices that can improve their competitiveness in the global marketplace. I HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This guide is designed to make finding The Advanced Technology Program provides A detailed subject index begins on page 170. out about programs and contacts at the multiyear, cost-shared funding for high- Due to the interdisciplinary nature of NIST's National Institute of Standards and Tech- risk, high-payoff development of technolo- work, many topic areas appear in more than nology a little easier. gies by individual companies or industry-led one chapter. For example, research involv- joint ventures. ATP accelerates development ing polymers is described in different chap- The pages that follow describe hundreds of of technologies that otherwise are unlikely ters: polymer processing and structure NIST projects, grants, industry outreach pro- to be available in time to compete in rapidly investigations within the Materials Science grams, services, and facilities, followed by changing markets without such a partner- and Engineering Laboratory and polymer contact names; phone numbers; and mail, ship of industry and government. See combustion studies within the Building and electronic mail, and, in some cases, World description on page 6. Fire Research Laboratory. Wide Web addresses for further information. Unless otherwise noted, all addresses listed The Manufacturing Extension Partnership This guide attempts to include all major are at MST, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899- operates a nationwide network of regionally NIST program areas. However, no single 0001. based extension centers that help smaller report can be completely comprehensive. manufacturers adopt modern technologies Institute programs change constantly as This guide is divided into chapters covering and business practices. Through MEP even new research results and technologies each of NIST's major operating units. In the smallest firms have access to more than become available. If you don't find a topic addition, each chapter on the Measurement 2,000 knowledgeable manufacturing and area that specifically matches your needs, and Standards Laboratories' programs business specialists. See description on contact the office for the research area clos- includes subheadings for NIST organiza- page 25. est to your field of interest. tional divisions or subject areas. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality If you review this guide and you're still not NIST's Measurement and Standards Labora- Award has become both the U.S. standard of sure which office to call, the NIST General tories deliver essential public goods to com- performance excellence in business and a Inquiries unit probably can help you. panies, universities, and government comprehensive guide to quality improve- agencies. The reach of NIST's high-quality Contact: ment. The Baldrige National Quality measurement tools, data, and services General Inquiries Program, which manages the Baldrige extends from science and medicine to indus- (301) 975-NIST Award, develops and disseminates evalu- try and commerce and from health and the email: [email protected] ation criteria and provides global leadership environment to law enforcement and fax: (301) 926-1630 in promoting quality awareness and in the national defense. A903 Administration Building sharing of successful quality practices, prin- NIST Researchers in the NIST Measurement and ciples, and strategies. See description on Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-0001 Standards Laboratories actively seek out page 33- industrial and other collaborators to work on well-defined, cooperative research proj- ects of mutual interest. In addition, NIST researchers collaborate informally with industrial and academic researchers to solve shorter-term technical problems. For an overview of the many different ways NIST may be able to work with your organization, see a description of the NIST Measurement and Standards Laboratories beginning on page 35. CONTENTS 4 NIST at a Glance 6 Advanced Technology Program 25 Manufacturing Extension Partnership 33 Baldrige National Quality Program 35 Measurement and Standards Laboratories 40 Building and Fire Research Laboratory 51 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory 76 Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory 99 Information Technology Laboratory 109 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory 126 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory 144 Physics Laboratory 164 Technology Services 170 Facilities Index 170 Subject Index — —— NIST AT A GLANCE The National Institute of Standards and BUDGET The Institute also publishes serial publica- Technology was established by Congress "to $790 million tions. The Journal ofResearch of the assist industry in the development of tech- (FY 1998 estimated operating resources National Institute ofStandards and Tech- nology ... needed to improve product qual- from all sources) nology reports NIST research and develop- ity, to modernize manufacturing processes, ment results in physics, chemistry, STAFF to ensure product reliability ... and to facili- engineering, mathematics, and information About 3,300 scientists, engineers, techni- tate rapid commercialization ... of products technology, with