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.

Materials

Materials characterization

News and Updates

Keyword

Organization

Chip Circuit for Light Could Be Applied to Quantum Computations

January 3, 2023

The ability to transmit and manipulate the smallest unit of light, the photon, with minimal loss, plays a pivotal role in optical communications as well as

Molecules Have an Orientation, and Scientists Have a New Way to Measure It

December 8, 2022

Molecular orientation is key to designing better materials.

Black and white micrograph shows tiny white panels standing parallel to form small squares on a dark background.

Spotlight: Zebra-Striped Structures to Twist Neutrons and Extend Researchers’ Vision

November 22, 2022

What are these microscopic zebra-striped squares, and why did scientists painstakingly arrange more than 6 million of them on a silicon plate just half a

Research on the Rocks: Combining Neutrons and X-Ray Imaging, NIST Scientists Study Meteorites to Explore the Mystery of How Earth Acquired Its Water

November 3, 2022

Each year, hundreds of meteorites — rocky bodies left over from the formation of the solar system — bombard Earth, delivering minerals, metals and water to our

Maria Munoz poses in the lab, wearing safety goggles and heavy gloves.

Spotlight: Maria Munoz’s Journey Into Spectroscopy Took Her Around the World

November 1, 2022

To reach this point, NIST postdoctoral researcher Maria Munoz journeyed across borders and seas. Take a trip with us as we trace her career path from elementary

Side-by-side photos show twin brothers posing with arms crossed in lab or office settings.

Spotlight: Two Brothers, One Passion for Mechanical Engineering

September 20, 2022

This is a tale of two brothers who both found a passion for mechanical engineering research, separated to pursue their own interests in graduate school, and

Polette Centellas wears safety glasses as she leans toward the camera while adjusting a scientific device on a lab table.

Spotlight: Making an Impact in Aerospace Materials With Polette Centellas

September 15, 2022

NIST researchers are measuring the way different materials hold up when hit with the force of a speeding object.

No Fib: NIST Unmasks a Superfast Process for Nanoscale Machining

August 23, 2022

Cutting intricate patterns as small as several billionths of a meter deep and wide, the focused ion beam (FIB) is an essential tool for deconstructing and

Leading Experts Suggest Guidelines for Assessing Emerging Transistor Performance

July 29, 2022

To continue making smartphones, laptops, and other devices more powerful and energy efficient, industry is intensely focused on identifying promising next

A close-up view of two green lizards climbing a tree branch.

Gecko Feet Are Coated in an Ultra-Thin Layer of Lipids That Help Them Stay Sticky

July 6, 2022

Scientists already understood the mechanics of gecko adhesion. Now they have a clearer picture of the molecular structures that give the animal its grip.

A man in safety goggles crouches at the back of an open air-conditioning unit, looking at a handheld tester.

Spotlight: Overhauling the Refrigeration Industry to Fight Global Warming

June 26, 2022

NIST researchers are tackling the question of alternative refrigerant fluids.

Measuring Up: The Phantom of the Library

May 4, 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized medical diagnostics and research by providing a non-invasive way to investigate internal tissue structures

Ultraviolet Light Can Clean N95 Masks for Reuse Without Hindering Performance, NIST Study Shows

March 25, 2022

To combat COVID-19 amid supply shortages in 2020, health care facilities across the U.S. resorted to disinfecting personal protective equipment (PPE), such as

NIST Researchers Resurrect and Improve a Technique for Detecting Transistor Defects

February 3, 2022

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have revived and improved a once-reliable technique to identify and count defects in

With Fuzzy Nanoparticles, Researchers Reveal a Way to Design Tougher Ballistic Materials

December 13, 2021

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Columbia Engineering have discovered a new method to improve the toughness of

Impeding the Impedance: Research Reveals How to Design a Better Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Battery

November 16, 2021

The newest generation of lithium-ion batteries now under development promises a revolution in powering cell phones, electric vehicles, laptops and myriad other

NIST, Collaborators Develop Sensitive New Way of Detecting Transistor Defects

October 7, 2021

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and collaborators have devised and tested a new, highly sensitive method of detecting

A Smart Use for Doping: Implanted Atoms Create Unique Electrical IDs That Distinguish Bona Fide Devices From Forgeries

September 16, 2021

If someone sells you a luxury handbag from Paris, France, but it turns out be a forgery from Paris, Texas, the counterfeit item might cost you a thousand bucks

A New Harmony: NIST Researchers Develop a Universal Method for Calculating the Resonances of Oscillators

September 15, 2021

The natural, or resonance, frequency at which a simple harmonic oscillator vibrates reveals with exquisite sensitivity the essential properties of the physical

Groundbreaking Technique Yields Important New Details on Silicon, Subatomic Particles and Possible ‘Fifth Force’

September 9, 2021

Using a groundbreaking new technique at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an international collaboration led by NIST researchers has

Neutrons Help Measure Cell Membrane Viscosity — and Reveal Its Basis

August 12, 2021

We now have a clearer picture of the lightning-fast molecular dance occurring within the membrane that encloses each cell in our body, revealed in part by

Five fragments of moon dust glow in bright colors on a black background.

Measuring the Moon’s Nano Dust Is No Small Matter

April 28, 2021

Like a chameleon of the night sky, the Moon often changes its appearance. It might look larger, brighter or redder, for example, due to its phases, its position

NIST Study Finds Ideal Doping Concentration and 3D/2D Structure to Prevent Degradation of Potential Solar Power Material

April 19, 2021

The crystal known as perovskite is a promising photovoltaic material for harnessing energy from sunlight. Perovskites have several advantages over silicon, the

As Good as it Gets: NIST Develops Its Fourth Generation Wire Micrometer that Rivals Best in the World

March 11, 2021

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a dramatically improved laser-based instrument that measures the

A red cylinder made of lipids has five protruding multicolored proteins.

NIST Clarifies Structure of Prospective Vaccine for Respiratory Virus

December 16, 2020

No approved vaccine exists for RSV, a life-threatening virus that attacks the respiratory system. State-of-the-art neutron and X-ray scattering performed at the

Was this page helpful?

NIST Headquarters
-Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America (CHIPS)
--CHIPS Program Office
---CHIPS Program Headquarters
----CHIPS Program Headquarters - HQ
----Opportunity & Inclusion Group
---External & Government Affairs Division
----External & Government Affairs – HQ
---Investments Division
----Investments Division – HQ
---Operations Office
----Operations Office – HQ
---Risk Management Division
----Risk Management – HQ
---Strategy, Technology & Policy Division
----Strategy, Technology & Policy – HQ
--CHIPS Research & Development Program Office
---CHIPS Research & Development Program Headquarters Division
----CHIPS Research & Development Program Headquarters – HQ
----Integration & Policy Office
----Outreach & Partnerships Office
---External R&D Partnerships Division
----External R&D Partnerships – HQ
----National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Group
----National Semiconductor Technology Center Group
---Industrial Advisory Committee
----Industrial Advisory Committee – HQ
---Semiconductor Manufacturing Institute Division
----Semiconductor Manufacturing Institute – HQ
---Semiconductor Metrology & Characterization Office
----Semiconductor Metrology & Characterization Office – HQ
-Management Resources
--Management Resources
---Associate Director for Management Resources
----Associate Director for Management Resources - HQ
---Business Operations Office
----Business Analytics Group
----Business Operations Office - HQ
----Customer Relationship Management Group
----Process Engineering Office
----Project Management Office
---Emergency Services Office
----Emergency Management, Preparedness and Coordination Group
----Emergency Services - HQ
----Fire Protection Group
----Security Systems and Access Control Group
---Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility Office
----Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility - HQ
---NIST Research Library and Museum
----NIST Research Library and Museum - HQ
---Fabrication Technology Office
----Fabrication Technology Office - HQ
--Office of Facilities and Property Management
---Boulder Design and Construction Division
----Boulder Design and Construction - HQ
----Facilities Improvement (Boulder) Group
----Reimbursable Work Group
----Facilities Modernization (Boulder) Group
---Gaithersburg Design and Construction Division
----Facilities Improvement (Gaithersburg) Group
----Reimbursable Work (Gaithersburg) Group
----Facilities Modernization (Gaithersburg) Group
----Gaithersburg Design and Construction - HQ
---Gaithersburg Facility Maintenance Division
----Building Management (Gaithersburg) Group
----Operations Engineering Group
----Gaithersburg Facility Maintenance - HQ
----Operations and Maintenance (Gaithersburg) Group
---Facilities Services Division
----Logistics Group
----Materials Management (Gaithersburg) Group
----Site Services Group
----Facilities Services Division - HQ
---Boulder Facilities Maintenance Division
----Site Support Group
----Boulder Facilities Maintenance- HQ
---Office of Facilities and Property Management
----Capital Asset Management and Facilities Planning Group
----OFPM Program Management Office
----Office of Facilities and Property Management - HQ
----Administrative Operations Group
----Safety, Health and Compliance Group
--Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management
---Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management
----Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management - HQ
---Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office
----Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office – HQ
---Acquisition Management Division
----Acquisition Management - HQ
----Acquisition Operations
----Acquisition Operations
----Acquisition Policy and Reimbursable Agreements
--Office of Information Systems Management
---Applications Systems Division
----Applications Systems - HQ
----Business Systems Group
----Custom Applications Development Group
----Data Management & Business Intelligence Group
----Database & Applications Infrastructure Group
----Drupal Development Group
----Identity & Access Management (IDAM) Group
----Institutional Systems Support Group
----OSHE Web Development Group
----Salesforce Development Group
----ServiceNow Development Group
---Research Services Office
----Lab Automation Group
----Research Services Office - HQ
----Scientific Systems Group
---Information Technology Security & Networking Division
----A&A Assessment Group
----A&A Infrastructure Group
----Assessment & Accreditation (A&A) Program
----Embedded IT Security Officer Group
----Information Technology Security & Networking - HQ
----Network Security Group
----Networking Group
----Privacy Group
----Security Implementation & Incident Response Group
----Telecommunications Group
---Customer Access and Support Division
----CASD Boulder Site Support Group
----Customer Access and Support - HQ
----Desktop Support Group
----Embedded Support Group A
----Embedded Support Group B
----Managed Endpoint for MAC & Mobile Group
----Managed Endpoint Windows Group
----Service Desk Operations Group
---Infrastructure Services Division
----Compute & Storage Group
----Computer Facilities Group
----Infrastructure Services Division - HQ
----Security & Monitoring Group
----Unix Hosting Group
----Windows Hosting Group
---Office of Information Systems Management
----Office of Information Systems Management - HQ
----Service & Project Management Group
---Platform Services Division
----Authentication & Directory Services Group
----Collaboration Services Group
----Enterprise Cloud Communications Group
----Enterprise Continuous Diagnostics and Monitoring Group
----Platform Management Group
----Platform Services Division - HQ
--Office of Human Resources Management
---Learning and Organizational Development Division
----Learning and Organizational Development – HQ
---Talent Acquisition Division
----Talent Acquisition – HQ
---Workforce Analytics and Technology Division
----Workforce Analytics and Technology – HQ
---Human Resources Management Office
----Human Resources Management Office - HQ
---Workforce Programs Division
----Workforce Programs – HQ
--Office of Safety, Health and Environment
---Office of Safety, Health and Environment
----Office of Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
---Gaithersburg Safety, Health and Environment Division
----Safety and Health Group
----Gaithersburg Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
----Fire and Facilities Safety Group
----Environmental Management Group
---Radiation Safety Division
----Radiation Facilities Group
----Program Development and Compliance Group
----Radiation Safety - HQ
---Boulder Safety, Health and Environment Division
----Boulder Safety, Health and Environment - HQ
--Office of Financial Resource Management
---Financial Systems and Reporting Division
----CBS Core Support Group
----CBS Feeder System Support Group
----Financial Systems and Reporting Division - HQ
----Financial Statements Group
----Data Control Group
----Reconciliations Group
---Office of Financial Resource Management
----Office of Financial Resource Management - HQ
----Internal Controls Management & Evaluation Office
----Enterprise Risk Management Office
---Financial Operations Division
----Travel Group
----Agreements Group
----Accounts Receivable Group
----Financial Operations - HQ
----Accounts Payable Group
---Budget Division
----Technical and Extramural Programs Group
----Institutional Support and Facilities Group
----Budget - HQ
----Formulation and Financial Management Group
-Laboratory Programs
--Communications Technology Laboratory
---RF Technology Division
----High-Speed Waveform Metrology Group
----Superconductive Electronics Group
----Guided Wave Electromagnetics Group
----Electromagnetic Fields Group
----RF Technology Division - HQ
---Smart Connected Systems Division
----IoT Devices and Infrastructures Group
----Networked Control Systems Group
----Smart Connected Manufacturing Systems Group
----Smart Grid Group
----Transformational Networks and Services Group
---Spectrum Technology and Research Division
----Applied Systems Metrology Group
----Fiber Sources and Applications Group
----Shared Spectrum Metrology Group
----Spectrum Technology and Research – HQ
---Wireless Networks Division
----Internet Technologies Research Group
----Radio Access and Propagation Metrology Group
----Wireless Networks Division - HQ
----Wireless Systems Innovation and Performance Group
---Public Safety Communications Research Division
----Public Safety Communications Research Division - HQ
----Advanced Communications Research Group
----Network Operations Group
---Communications Technology Laboratory HQ
----Communications Technology Laboratory HQ Gp
----Boulder Laboratory Director Office
--Engineering Laboratory
---Building Energy and Environment Division
----Building Energy and Environment - HQ
----Mechanical Systems and Controls Group
----Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group
----HVAC&R Equipment Performance Group
----Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group
---Intelligent Systems Division
----Intelligent Systems - HQ
----Manipulation and Mobility Systems Group
----Cognition and Collaboration Systems Group
----Production Systems Group
----Sensing and Perception Systems Group
---Materials and Structural Systems Division
----Earthquake Engineering Group
----Engineering Research Support Group
----Infrastructure Materials Group
----Community Resilience Group
----Materials and Structural Systems - HQ
----Structures Group
---Engineering Laboratory Office
----Applied Economics Office
----Disaster Impact Reduction Office
----Engineering Laboratory - HQ
----Engineering Laboratory Data, Security, Technology Group
---Fire Research Division
----National Fire Research Laboratory Group
----Wildland Urban Interface Fire Group
----Flammability Reduction Group
----Fire Research - HQ
----Engineered Fire Safety Group
----Fire Fighting Technology Group
---Systems Integration Division
----Life Cycle Engineering Group
----Process Engineering Group
----Information Modeling and Testing Group
----Systems Integration - HQ
--Information Technology Laboratory
---Applied Cybersecurity Division
----Applied Cybersecurity - HQ
----Cybersecurity and Privacy Applications Group
----National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
----NICE
---Computer Security Division
----Computer Security - HQ
----Cryptographic Technology Group
----Secure Systems and Applications Group
----Security Components and Mechanisms Group
----Security Test, Validation and Measurement Group
----Security Engineering and Risk Management Group
---Applied and Computational Mathematics Division
----Mathematical Software Group
----Mathematical Analysis and Modeling Group
----Quantum Information Group
----High Performance Computing and Visualization Group
----Applied and Computational Mathematics - HQ
---Statistical Engineering Division
----Applied and Computational Statistics Group
----Statistical Design, Analysis, and Modeling Group
----Statistical Engineering - HQ
---Software and Systems Division
----Systems Interoperability Group
----Software Quality Group
----Software and Systems - HQ
----Cyber Infrastructure Group
----Information Systems Group
---Information Access Division
----Information Access - HQ
----Image Group
----Multimodal Information Group
----Retrieval Group
----Visualization and Usability Group
---Information Technology Laboratory Office
----Office of Computational Science for Metrology
----Office of Emerging Technologies
----Office of IT Standardization
----Office of Government and Industrial Liaison
----Information Technology Laboratory Office - HQ
----Office of Chief Cybersecurity Advisor
--Laboratory Programs
---Research Data and Computing Office
----Research Data and Computing Office – HQ
---Research Protections Office
----Research Protections Office - HQ
---Research Security and Safeguarding Science Office
----Research Security and Safeguarding Science - HQ
---Standards Coordination Office
----International Standards Policy and Coordination Group
----Standards and Conformity Assessment Services Group
----Standards Coordination Office - HQ
----National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)
---Special Programs Office
----Special Programs Office-HQ
---Associate Director for Laboratory Programs
----Associate Director for Laboratory Programs - HQ
--Material Measurement Laboratory
---Office of Reference Materials
----Business and Quality Management Group
----Business Application Development, Support, and Security Group
----Sales and Customer Services Group
----Publication and Web Services Group
----Office of Reference Materials - HQ
----Materials and Physical Services Group
---Office of Data and Informatics
----Office of Data and Informatics - HQ
----Data Services Group
----Data Sciences Group
---Biosystems and Biomaterials Division
----Biomarker and Genomic Sciences Group
----Cellular Engineering Group
----Biomaterials Group
----Complex Microbial Systems Group
----Cell Systems Science Group
----Biosystems and Biomaterials Division - HQ
---Chemical Sciences Division
----Biochemical and Exposure Science Group
----Chemical Informatics Group
----Optical Measurements Group
----Chemical Process and Nuclear Measurements Group
----Gas Sensing Metrology Group
----Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group
----Biospecimen Science Group
----Chemical Sciences Division - HQ
----Organic Chemical Metrology Group
---Biomolecular Measurement Division
----Biomolecular Structure and Function Group
----Mass Spectrometry Data Center Group
----Bioprocess Measurements Group
----Bioanalytical Science Group
----Biomolecular Measurement Division - HQ
----Applied Genetics Group
---Applied Chemicals and Materials Division
----Applied Chemicals and Materials Division - HQ
----Thermodynamics Research Center Group
----Thermophysical Properties of Fluids Group
----Nanoscale Reliability Group
----Fluid Characterization Group
----Fatigue and Fracture Group
---Materials Science and Engineering Division
----Thermodynamics and Kinetics Group
----Polymers Processing Group
----Mechanical Performance Group
----Polymers and Complex Fluids Group
----Materials Science and Engineering Division - HQ
----Functional Polymers Group
----Functional Nanostructured Materials Group
---Materials Measurement Science Division
----Security Technologies Group
----Surface and Trace Chemical Analysis Group
----Nanomechanical Properties Group
----Nano Materials Research Group
----Materials Structure and Data Group
----Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Group
----Synchrotron Science Group
----Materials Measurement Science Division - HQ
----Data and AI-Driven Materials Science Group
---Material Measurement Laboratory Office
----The Material Measurement Laboratory Office of Operations Group
----Material Measurement Laboratory - HQ
----Genome-Scale Measurement Group
--NIST Center for Neutron Research
---NIST Center for Neutron Research
----Research Facility Operations Group
----NIST Center for Neutron Research - HQ
----Reactor Operations and Engineering Group
----Neutron-Condensed Matter Science Group
--Physical Measurement Laboratory
---Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division
----Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group
----Microsystems and Nanotechnology - HQ
----Nanostructure Fabrication and Measurement Group
----Photonics and Optomechanics Group
---Time and Frequency Division
----Atomic Devices & Instrumentation Group
----Precision Photonic Synthesis Group
----Quantum & Nonlinear Nanophotonics Group
----Ion Storage Group
----Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group
----Time Realization and Distribution Group
----Phase Noise Metrology Group
----Time and Frequency - HQ
---Quantum Physics Division
----Quantum Physics - HQ
---Radiation Physics Division
----Dosimetry Group
----Radioactivity Group
----Radiation Physics - HQ
----Neutron Physics Group
---Sensor Science Division
----Fundamental Thermodynamics Group
----Sensor Science - HQ
----Temperature & Humidity Group
----Remote Sensing Group
----Optical Radiation Group
----Fluid Metrology Group
----Surface and Interface Metrology Group
---Applied Physics Division
----Advanced Microwave Photonics Group
----Spin Electronics Group
----Applied Physics - HQ
----Faint Photonics Group
----Quantitative Nanostructure Characterization Group
----Molecular and Bio-Photonics Group
----Magnetic Imaging Group
----Quantum Nanophotonics Group
----Sources and Detectors Group
---Quantum Measurement Division
----Quantum Optics Group
----Mass and Force Group
----Quantum Measurement - HQ
----Laser Cooling and Trapping Group
----Fundamental Electrical Measurements Group
----Applied Electrical Metrology Group
----Atomic Spectroscopy Group
---Quantum Sensors Division
----Device Fabrication Group
----Long Wavelength Sensors and Applications Group
----Quantum Calorimeters Group
----Quantum Electronics Group
----Quantum Sensors – HQ
---Nanoscale Device Characterization Division
----Nanoscale Device Characterization Division - HQ
----Nanoscale Spectroscopy Group
----Advanced Electronics Group
---Physical Measurement Laboratory Office
----Boulder Microfabrication Facility
----Physical Measurement Laboratory- HQ
----PML Information Office
----Office of Weights and Measures
-Innovation & Industry Services
--Office of Advanced Manufacturing
---Microelectronics Manufacturing Division
----Microelectronics Manufacturing – HQ
----Microelectronics Strategy and Enterprise Group
----Semiconductor Coordination Group
----Semiconductor Operations Group
----Workforce and Equity Development Group
---Office of Advanced Manufacturing
----Office of Advanced Manufacturing - HQ
---Partnerships and Outreach Division
----Communications and Marketing Group
----Education and Workforce Development Group
----Partnership Engagement Group
----Partnerships and Outreach – HQ
----Technology Hubs Development Group
---Program Operations Division
----Competitions Group
----Institute and Program Management Group
----Performance Management Group
----Program Operations - HQ
---Strategy and Planning Division
----Analysis and Benchmarking Group
----Strategic Planning Group
----Strategy and Planning – HQ
--Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
---Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Office
----Award Process Group
----Director's Office, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
----Administrative Support/Electronic Information Group
----Outreach and Communications Group
----Publications Management Group
----Workforce Development Group
--Innovation & Industry Services
---Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services
----Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services - HQ
---Technology Partnerships Office
----Technology Partnerships Office - HQ
--Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program
---National Platforms Division
----National Platforms – HQ
----Network Knowledge Management Group
----Supply Chain Group
---National Programs Division
----National Programs- HQ
---Outreach and External Affairs Division
----Outreach and External Affairs – HQ
---Performance Evaluation and Economic Impacts Division
----Performance Evaluation and Economic Impacts - HQ
----Performance Metrics and Evaluation Group
---Network Agreements Management Division
----Network Agreements Management - HQ
----Node B Group
----Node A Group
---Internal Operations Division
----Internal Operations – HQ
---Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Office
----Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program - HQ
-Director's Office
--Director's Office
---Ombuds Office
----Ombuds Office - HQ
---Public Affairs Office
----Media Liaison Group
----Video and Digital Media Production Group
----Public Affairs Office - HQ
----Internal Communications and Inquiries Group
----Conference Program and Audiovisual Services Group
----Boulder Meetings Support and Services Group
----Web Content Development Group
---Program Coordination Office
----Program Coordination Office - HQ
---Director's Office
----Director's Office - HQ
---Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office
----Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office - HQ
---Management and Organization Office
----Management and Organization Office- HQ
---International and Academic Affairs Office
----International and Academic Affairs Office - HQ