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Materials Measurement Science Division

The Materials Measurement Science Division aims to strengthen personal safety and economic security for the Nation. We develop purposeful solutions to critical, uniquely challenging materials science problems. We leverage an inspired and diverse workforce to conduct rigorous metrology-focused research.

Welcome to the Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD)

We conduct a mixture of mission-based fundamental research, standards production and applied science and engineering to enable innovation in U.S. Industry and address measurement science needs of our various other agency (OA) partners.

  • Mission — We aim to strengthen personal safety and economic security for the Nation. We develop purposeful solutions to critical, uniquely challenging materials science problems. We leverage an inspired and diverse workforce to conduct rigorous metrology-focused research.
  • Core Values — We embrace Willingness, Passion, Personal Growth, Agility and Empathy.
  • Technical Expertise — We have significant expertise in multiscale materials characterization, atomic and nanoscale metrology, and we leverage our growing expertise in computational science, artificial intelligence, and data science.
  • Primary Focus Areas — We are guided by our historical expertise and evolve over time to address national priorities and support critical and emerging technologies.
  • Organization — We are organized into eight Groups according to technical and programmatic expertise.

Primary Focus Areas

Safety and Security

The division’s work in the Safety and Security Program Area provides the underpinning measurement science needed to advance threat detection...

Forensics and Public Health

Forensic science has been a prominent pillar of research at NIST since the release of 2009 National Academies of Sciences report...

Micro and Nano Plastics

Our efforts are focused on the measurement science needed to improve detection, identification, and quantification of plastic particles in...

Semiconductors

The Material Measurement Science Division has a long history of working with stakeholders in the semiconductor industry to develop new...

Climate Mitigation

Global climate change due to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the most significant challenges facing the global...

Ceramic Additive Manufacturing

Development and commercialization of additive manufacturing (AM) have been a national priority since the 2012 White House We Cannot Wait...

Press Coverage

Nanoscale LED shines brighter

Physics World
"An innovative fin-shaped design for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could not only overcome the devices’ limited brightness, it could also help turn them into

News and Updates

Awards

Contacts

Division Chief

Deputy Chief

Division Safety Representative

Administrative Officer

Division Office Manager