Units Markup Language (UnitsML)

Principal Investigator: Bob Dragoset
(301) 975-3718
dragoset@nist.gov

Objective:
To continue refining the UnitsML Schema for encoding measurement units in XML; to continue the development and population of the UnitsML database containing information on scientific units, with XML output conforming to the current UnitsML Schema; to develop tools to facilitate the ease of using UnitsML with other markup languages; to assist in formulating an ontology for scientific measurement units; and to establish a collaboration with the manufacturing community in order to further the adoption of UnitsML.

Background:
Costly errors have occurred due to the misinterpretation of the unit system in use during communication (and hence, product delivery) between manufacturing partners. The UnitsML Schema will provide a solution for encoding units information into numeric data in a format that will allow for unambiguous storage, exchange, and processing of numeric data. Scientific units of measure are pervasive throughout our world; hence, the scientific and engineering communities in general (including the manufacturing community) will benefit from the adoption of UnitsML.