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Material Measurement Laboratory

Materials Science and Engineering Division

We provide the measurement science, standards, technology, and data required to support the Nation’s need to design, develop, manufacture, and use materials. We foster innovation and confidence in measurements needed to advance technology and facilitate manufacturing in industrial sectors such as energy, electronics, transportation and the environment.

Many important technological advancements have resulted from the discovery and development of materials with new properties or functions. For example, advances in silicon technology have made it possible for most of us to rely on and enjoy ultraportable computers as we go through our day. In partnership with members of industry, other government agencies, and academia, we develop the measurement science, standards, technology, and data required to support the nation's need to design, develop, manufacture, and use materials. Our goal is to enable those engaged in the materials science and engineering enterprise to adopt new materials and incorporate them into improved, successful products that solve problems in areas such as energy, electronics, transportation and the environment – and ultimately contribute to a better quality of life for Americans.

News and Updates

The nickel prototype, which is the same shape and size as a regular nickel, but instead of Thomas Jefferson has a profile of Martha Washington in a mob cap and dummy text instead of "E Pluribus Unum."

Coining Less Expensive Currency

Nickels are ubiquitous in American life, tumbling around in pockets, rolling under car seats, and emerging from the back
Thermographic image of polymer extrusion with MML Measures up logo

Model Behavior

NIST is helping additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, mature from a potentially disruptive

Industry Impacts

Researchers at the NIST Center Lightweighting Lab

Lightweight Materials for Automobiles

Automotive companies are increasingly using lightweight materials to improve vehicle fuel economy. However, incorporating those materials into new vehicles is
Scientist puts material down below a tube. Background: computer screen

Helmet Materials for Head Health

Athletes, warfighters and even children riding their bikes all can benefit from better protective gear to prevent head injuries. The Head Health Challenge

Projects and Programs

Magnetic Nanoparticle Metrology

We are developing best practice metrology for characterization of magnetic nanoparticle systems (e.g. blocking temperature, anisotropy, property distributions
High Impact Ballistic Testing of Polymer Films

Mechanics of Polymers & Interfaces

Polymers play a central role in high rate impact mitigation applications ranging from helmets, to body armor, to aircraft and spacecraft protective coatings. A

Software

HolograFREE

An electron hologram is a fringe modulated image containing the amplitude and phase information of an electron transparent object. The HolograFREE routines

Awards

Edwin P. Chan Honored with PECASE

The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to...

Press Coverage

Contacts