National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST summer intern and University of Maryland, College Park student Joy Roberts studied passenger comfort in one of NIST’s self-driving cars — also known as autonomous vehicles — this summer. One challenge to keeping passengers comfortable in a self-driving car is that it sometimes stops suddenly, more often than a human-driven car. So, part of Joy’s internship involved riding in a self-driving car and rating its comfort level. You might even call it a (safe) joy ride!  Learn more about our summer internship program – and how a student you know could join us next summer - in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://lnkd.in/eSkCDasx #AutonomousVehicles #SelfDrivingCars 

Most software needs updating after its initial release, but software patches and other changes can introduce new cybersecurity and privacy risks and can impair operations if not managed effectively. To support successful, secure software updates and patches, NIST has finalized modifications to its catalog of security and privacy safeguards — Special Publication 800-53 — to assist both the developers who create patches and the organizations that receive and implement them in their own systems.  Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekZqrvER  

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center and its partners issued new guidance to help U.S. colleges and universities mitigate emerging foreign threats to their research. The new bulletin, “Safeguarding Academia: Protecting Fundamental Research, Intellectual Property, Critical Technology and the U.S. Research Ecosystem,” provides information on threat indicators, impact, mitigation strategies, and where to report incidents. Read the bulletin ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dKmkGhAM

The NIST Nanofabrication Facility, or “NanoFab,” is like a machine shop of the 21st century for high-tech U.S. industries. It provides researchers from industry, academia and other government laboratories with rapid access to state-of-the-art nanotechnology fabrication and measurement tools for applications in nanoelectronics, photonics, microelectromechanical systems and nano-biotechnology. NIST technical experts help NanoFab users make the most of its unique ability to process and characterize a wide range of nanoscale materials, structures and devices, from standard techniques such as thin film deposition and wet etching to more exotic, high-accuracy technologies such as electron beam lithography. The NanoFab allows industry researchers to easily modify nanofabrication processes and to rapidly improve materials and devices, helping to improve American competitiveness by speeding the transition of industrial research to production.

NIST IN SPACE!!!! If you’re up this Sunday morning at 2:45 AM ET, you can watch a live rocket lift off, carrying NIST reference materials to the International Space Station.  The samples from NIST include cholesterol, freeze-dried human liver, and carefully measured house dust collected from vacuum cleaner bags across America. Here on Earth, these samples are used every day for research on human health. Bringing these widely used samples to the ISS will help answer important questions about the effects of spaceflight and microgravity.  https://lnkd.in/eH2xphv6 

NIST has collaborated with the Nellis Air Force Base to develop the Electronic NIST Torque Realizer (ENTR), a tabletop device that changes how torque measurements are calibrated. Torque calibration usually involves cumbersome physical mass and length artifacts. The ENTR, however, enables torque realization through electromechanical force, tying it directly to the International System of Units (SI). This innovation offers significant advantages: • Logistical Efficiency: No more shipping heavy mass sets for calibration, greatly reducing burdens for labs. • Enhanced Accuracy: With an uncertainty of 0.1% or less, ENTR surpasses most low-range torque transducers on the market. • Versatile Application: Ideal for calibrating critical torque tools, ensuring the proper tightness of fasteners in everything from aerospace components to night-vision goggles. This technology is poised to drive advancements in precision design, manufacturing, and nanotechnology. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGuqbETM #Metrology #TorqueCalibration #PrecisionEngineering

Current methods for measuring radiation exposure to individuals can take days—time that people in a medical emergency don't have. But what if we could get that information in minutes? NIST scientists have developed a new technology that detects radiation-induced DNA damage faster and more accurately than ever before. Researchers pass DNA samples through tiny openings called nanopores, which can then detect the amount of damage to the genetic material. This method could someday allow doctors to adjust cancer treatments more rapidly and help first responders make critical decisions quickly during a radiological event This novel technique, detailed in the journal Analytical Chemistry, operates within minutes, providing a critical window for intervention. Potential benefits include: ·      Improved Cancer Care: Doctors can more precisely tailor radiation doses for oncology patients, ensuring optimal treatment efficacy and minimizing harm to healthy tissue. ·      Enhanced Emergency Response: First responders can gain real-time insights into radiation exposure levels, enabling immediate and personalized care in critical situations. ·      Future Portability: Researchers plan to develop a portable, smartphone-sized device, making this life-saving technology accessible in clinical and field settings. The next phase of this work involves developing a portable prototype, making this powerful measurement tool accessible in the field. This innovation represents NIST’s continued commitment to advancing public health and safety through measurement science. Read our news story for more details: https://lnkd.in/eZ5aZTRp   #Innovation #RadiationSafety #PublicHealth #DNA #Nanopores #RadiationTherapy

NIST researchers have developed a new mathematical formula to calculate the concentration of particles suspended in a solution.  This new approach produces more accurate results than current methods and can be used to deliver the correct drug dosage to patients, measure the amount of nanoplastics in ocean water, determine the precise level of additives in food products, and much more.  Check out our latest news story to learn more about the formula: https://lnkd.in/eURQrVTm  

NIST has awarded more than $1.8 million to 18 small businesses under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The awards will fund R&D of new products and services related to:  • Artificial intelligence  • Additive manufacturing  • Standards  • Semiconductor devices  • Other key areas Learn more about the awardees: https://lnkd.in/emtYATCk  

Face morphing software, which can blend photos of different people’s faces into a single image, can make it easier for bad actors to bypass identity verification systems. NIST has released guidelines that can help organizations deploy and use modern detection methods designed to catch morph attacks before they succeed.  The guidelines can help in situations where morphed photographs might appear, such as in passport application offices or at border crossings. They also cover what organizations could consider doing after a morph detector flags a potentially fake photo.  Check out the details at https://lnkd.in/eTPD8wvG