NIST scientists attend ISO's plenary meeting on nanotechnology

On June 8-12, 2009, a delegation of scientists from PL, MSEL, CSTL, and TS represented NIST at the plenary meeting of ISO's Nanotechnology Committee (TC 229).

As more and more products incorporating nanotechnology enter the marketplace, this emerging technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the global economy.  Thus, it is crucial for the international community to work together to develop standards to support the continued growth of this global industry.

NIST's leadership in shaping these standards is significant, with our representatives participating in each of the Committee's Task and Working Groups. Current standardization activities include: Measurement and Characterization, EH&S, Material Specifications, and Nomenclature.

Angela Hight Walker serves as the chair of the task group, Measurement and Characterization for EH&S and the US chair of the working group, Measurement and Characterization. The working group is currently developing a standard framework with which to characterize carbon nanotubes. This involves defining specific measurands, as well as specific methods for measurement for each measurand. This standard framework is an important step in establishing standardized procedures for toxicology studies of these nanomaterials.

Participants from over 32 countries attended the meeting, held in Seattle, WA, with observers from 8 additional countries. The participants represented industry, government, and academia. NIST served as one of the Platinum-level sponsor for the meeting.