U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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 advance materials technology and manufacturing processes, enabling those engaged in the materials science and engineering enterprise to create innovative, successful products that solve problems in areas such as electronics, transportation, civil infrastructure, biopharmaceuticals, energy and the environment – and ultimately contribute to a better quality of life for Americans. 

News and Updates

Industrial 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

Automotive Lightweighting

Our objective is to develop the measurement methodology, standards and analysis necessary for the US auto industry and base metal suppliers to transition from a

Electrochemical Processes

In this project we are developing in situ measurements relevant to the electrochemical fabrication, processing, and application of nanostructured materials and

Particles, Tubes, and Colloids

The goal of the Particles, Tubes and Colloids (PTC) project is to develop measurement methods and technologies to enable and improve commerce of dispersed
Schematic of selective transport of water, ions, or molecules across a polymer membrane.

Polymer Membranes

Membranes and membrane technology are key to the nation’s water and energy security. Polymer-based membranes already play a significant role in fields such as
View All Projects/Programs

Software

Open Calphad

Open Calphad

OpenCalphad is an informal international collaboration of scientists and researchers interested in the development of high quality software and databases for

HolograFREE

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

Awards

Vivek Prabhu

Vivek M. Prabhu Named APS Fellow

For fundamental insight into the chain conformation, structure, phase separation, and interfaces of polyelectrolytes enabled by light and
Mark Stoudt

Mark Stoudt Named ASM Fellow

For outstanding contributions to the scientific understanding of the structure-property relationships of additively manufactured alloys and

Press Coverage

Contacts