WASHINGTON,
D.C—An initiative to “roadmap” the nation’s
future measurement needs was announced today by the Commerce
Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST). Necessary advances in measurement capabilities are
basic to technological innovation, U.S. industrial competitiveness,
safety and security, and quality of life.
“The
nation’s measurement system is a vital element of our
innovation infrastructure,” NIST Acting Director Hratch
Semerjian said during testimony before the House Subcommittee
on Environment, Technology, and Standards. “The goal
of this very important initiative, which will be undertaken
in close cooperation with the private sector and other agencies,
is to ensure that the nation’s highest-priority measurement
needs are identified and met. We need to be certain that the
U.S. measurement system is robust so that it can sustain America’s
economy and citizens at world-class levels in the 21st century.”
Semerjian
was testifying on the use of standards as barriers to export
markets. Test and measurement methods are critical for businesses
to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and
standards, which are the specifications that define the features,
performance levels, compatibility and other attributes of
products. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
has estimated that standards influence up to 80 percent of
world trade.
The comprehensive,
NIST-facilitated initiative, Roadmapping America’s Measurement
Needs for a Strong Innovation Infrastructure, will result
in a first-ever evaluation of the breadth, depth and overall
health of the U.S. measurement system. The final report, expected
in early 2007, will identify priority measurement infrastructure
needs across industry and the economy, recommend steps to
address them and point out the consequences of inaction.
NIST
and other organizations will convene industry- and technology-specific
workshops to define emerging measurement needs crucial to
future performance and capabilities. Currently, NIST staff
members are actively developing plans for a dozen workshops
that will engage industry, government and academia in documenting
measurement needs. Examples of likely topics include manufacturing
and reliability of nanotechnology systems, measurements for
broadband communications, data storage technologies, proteomics
and non-destructive evaluation methods for homeland security
applications.
In addition,
NIST is collecting and reviewing previously published roadmapping
and workshop reports focused on future science and technology
challenges and opportunities. Staff members are evaluating
the reports’ coverage of associated measurement needs
and preparing brief summaries of their findings. NIST already
has collected more than 200 such reports, which span technologies
and industries ranging from fuel cells to aerospace to electronics.
During
the information-gathering phase of the measurement-system
initiative, NIST also is encouraging businesses, trade associations,
professional groups and other organizations to identify and
advise NIST of pressing measurement infrastructure needs and
gaps in their particular areas.
In early
2006, NIST will convene a U.S. Measurement Summit. This meeting
will provide a venue for focused cross-sector, cross-technology
discussion and debate among key customers and stakeholders
on priority measurement system needs and how to address them.
For more
information on the initiative, go to http://usms.nist.gov.
Comments and suggestions can be sent to usms@nist.gov.
As a non-regulatory
agency, NIST develops and promotes measurement, standards
and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade,
and improve the quality of life.
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