MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource Plus (MATTR+) Service

Are you a manufacturer facing technical challenges? Are you committed to implementing Industry 4.0 technologies such as additive manufacturing but having difficulties with operations? Do you need help solving a recurring quality problem or machine maintenance issue? MATTR+ may be able to help!

The MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource Plus (MATTR+) service provides direct access to wide-ranging expertise of the NIST Labs to help address technical issues with products or processes. MATTR+ is a way to help manufacturers find suitable solutions to their real-world problems.

At no cost, manufacturers can seek assistance from lab scientists and engineers to solve challenges and overcome barriers to company success. Any manufacturer in the U.S. and Puerto Rico can submit a request for MATTR+ assistance.

Capabilities

While it is difficult to capture the full range of expertise available through MATTR+, and not every problem has a solution at NIST, below are a few examples.

Innovative Technology Development

U.S. manufacturers can work with NIST scientists and engineers through the MATTR+ service to better understand manufacturing methods like metal-based additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) along with learning practical applications of the technology.

Materials Research and Characterization

Material characterization is the process of measuring and determining physical, chemical and mechanical properties of materials.  NIST researchers are experts in experimental determination of relevant materials’ properties for manufacturer applications and can help in technique selection for comprehensive analysis.

Interconnected Systems and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Applications

IIoT and interconnected systems help manufacturers gather and analyze real-time data across an entire production operation. NIST researchers help develop and support trustworthy smart and connected systems and networks by contributing to the creation of IIoT standards needed for current and next-generation challenges.

Information on NIST Standard Reference Materials® and Standard Reference Data

NIST supports accurate and compatible measurements by certifying and providing over 1300 Standard Reference Materials with well-characterized composition or properties, or both. These materials are used to perform instrument calibrations in units as part of overall quality assurance programs, to verify the accuracy of specific measurements and to support the development of new measurement methods.

NIST also produces and maintains standardized reference data (SRD). For example, SRD can characterize the properties of structural steel. SRD has specific characteristics – it is quantitative information, related to a measurable physical or chemical property of a substance(s) and the data is critically evaluated to verify its reliability.

How to Apply

Any U.S. manufacturer can submit a request for assistance, with requestors agreeing to be contacted by both NIST staff and the MEP Center in their state.

If you would like to learn more about MATTR+ or to request assistance, please submit an inquiry via this form. NIST MEP may share your information with pertinent NIST staff and your local MEP Center to facilitate answering your request.