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NIST in Iowa
NIST ensures that the U.S. economy runs on fair transactions, that our infrastructure is built with quality construction materials, that our manufacturers can innovate and compete internationally, and that we have access to reliable products at home. We provide critical measurements and standards, including nearly 600 calibration services and more than 1,100 standard reference materials, that make Americans safer and healthier and help our companies innovate.
NIST Supports Key Sectors in Iowa
Advanced manufacturing
- In 2021 and 2022, NIST awarded a total of $500,000 to Zymosense Inc. in Ames for the development of a system for separating single-walled carbon nanotubes — structures with special optical, electrical and mechanical properties — so that they can be produced more efficiently.
- Iowa’s manufacturers rely on NIST reference materials for metals, silicon, radioactivity, nanomaterials and more to ensure the highest quality control for products from the smallest electronics to the largest heavy equipment.
- NIST’s reference materials for steel composition, hardness and toughness help Iowa’s producers control quality and performance during manufacturing and give buyers confidence that products meet their specifications.
- NIST helps to ensure that foods grown or eaten in the U.S. are safe from contaminants that could cause illness to consumers. Iowa companies rely on NIST reference materials such as nutritional formula and tomato and peach leaves to check their food safety testing methods and help them comply with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act.
- Since FY 2020, the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has received over $11 million in federal funds from NIST, which spurred more than $11 million in nonfederal investments, to enhance the performance of industry through applied research, education and technical assistance.
CIRAS helped Nestlé Purina in Clinton, a manufacturer of pet food and treats, solve production line issues that were causing work stoppages and food waste. As part of the MEP and CIRAS mission to develop skilled workers, students at Iowa State University addressed Purina’s production issues as a semester capstone project. The students’ recommendations improved both safety and productivity, saving the company $100,000.
Biotechnology, life sciences and health care
- NIST helps the biotechnology sector innovate more quickly with quantitative analytical measurement tools for nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites and cell systems so that manufacturers and clinical test labs can monitor and improve methods and products.
- NIST’s calibration laboratory for mammographic X-rays helps to ensure that patients receive the appropriate X-ray exposures, which means fewer repeat tests and lower radiation doses. NIST provides accurate references and a biennial proficiency testing program for mammography inspectors to ensure that they have the tools they need to support accurate diagnoses and minimize radiation exposure for everyone receiving a mammogram.
- NIST’s guidance on temperature control for vaccine storage has reduced waste by 30%, so more doses are available for more people. Our calibration materials for magnetic resonance imaging help medical researchers develop quantitative tests that can rapidly determine if treatments for glioblastoma and other cancers are working, speeding clinical decisions.
Financial services
- NIST supports Iowa’s financial sector with highly regarded standards and guidelines for IT security. NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence collaborates with financial services industry experts and technology vendors on best practices and standards that mitigate cybersecurity and privacy risks.
- NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standards are designed to withstand the attack of a future quantum computer. They can secure a wide range of electronic information, from confidential email messages to e-commerce transactions.
- NIST’s time service, based on the world’s most accurate atomic clock, ensures accurate timestamps on electronic trades that often occur just microseconds apart, preventing stock market fraud and manipulation.
Public safety, health and resilience
- Iowa was struck by 155 tornadoes in 2024. NIST researchers and collaborators have improved the design of buildings to perform better under high wind conditions. Our recommendations are being incorporated into codes that will make new buildings safer.
MEP Success Stories
News & Updates
Learn how NIST improves the lives of all Americans by conducting research and fostering collaborations that make possible everything from reliable vaccine storage and fair fuel transactions to next-generation MRIs and fair stock trades. Check out NIST Works for You.