National Physical Laboratory
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The GEMMA programme will demonstrate an integrated total of measured UK emissions displayed through a monthly national emissions dashboard. This system will allow the UK to accurately measure and assess changes in Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), including vital information on the contribution from different sectors.
Find out more at npl.co.uk/greenhouse-gas-emissions-measurement-modelling
npl.co.uk/about-us
Find out more at: npl.co.uk/si-prefix
Find out more: npl.co.uk/si-prefix
npl.co.uk/measurement-for-our-planet
In this video, you'll hear from our apprentices, scientists and our CEO on our history, who we are and what we do today.
00:00 - A dive into the key moments in NPL's history, highlighting key individuals and turning points in measurement science.
00:38 - From a satellite above Earth, we zoom through the atmosphere down to NPL's Teddington site in London, UK.
00:56 - Frankie Falksohn, Assistant Research Scientist & Jamie Mewburn-Crook, Assistant Research Scientist introduce the video with who we are.
01:13 - NPL CEO Dr Peter Thompson - what metrology is and how it underpins our daily lives and can contribute to solutions for global challenges.
02:42 - Saskia Burke, Junior Measurement Scientist Apprentice - key contributions from NPL throughout history including the development of the internet and other areas of scientific computing.
03:13 - Martyn Sene, Special Advisor to CEO - the history of measurement standards and how and why NPL was established.
04:50 - Lewis Sturdy, Assistant Research Scientist and Martyn Sene discuss one of the earliest known uses of a measurement standard and traceability chain in history.
06:17 - Martyn Sene - a showcase of artefacts related to the work NPL did after the Second World War in electronic computing, including photos of work on the Pilot ACE - a project led by Alan Turing.
06:46 - Jamie Mewburn-Crook - the digitalisation of measurement standards and its importance to today's new and emerging technologies.
07:20 - Perdi Potgieter, Research Scientist - the redefinition of the kilogram and how it has improved.
07:57 - Richard Brown, Head of Metrology - the evolution of the international system of units (SI) and the redefinition of the base units.
09:33 - Louise Wright, Head of Digital Metrology - the changes that NPL is making and how our measurement services provide confidence in digital data.
11:36 - Pete Thompson - The theme of Open Day 2022 and how NPL's work underpins the future digital transformation of our world.
Find out more about this service: npl.co.uk/products-services/graphene-2d-materials/hall-effect-measurements
The National Timing Centre programme (NTC) led by NPL, has started to develop the UK's first nationally distributed time infrastructure.
As the UK’s timing authority, it enables the UK to move away from reliance on GNSS and deliver resilient UK time and frequency.
Find out more at npl.co.uk/ntc
Hear from the people behind its development and how this facility, combined with NPL’s extensive expertise in materials characterisation and assurance, provides a unique capability for research and commercial testing services covering a broad range of advanced materials.
00:01 - Mike Gower, Principal Research Scientist, introduces the purpose and capabilities of the MTF.
00:34 - Pete Thompson, CEO of NPL, talks about the collaborative opportunities and our mission to help industry with innovation.
00:50 - Mark Summers, former Head of Advanced Manufacturing, discusses how the MTF is enabling digitalisation of testing and moving that process into the virtual world.
01:06 - Noelia Salmeron Perez, Higher Research Engineer, talks about the characterisation of materials and understanding how they perform.
01:28 - Ana Yong, Higher Research Scientist, explains her role within the MTF and how the facility will continue to improve as the science progresses.
01:53 - Mike Gower discusses the importance of our customers and how we can help.
02:10 - Joshua Richardson, Test Manager at Magma Global Ltd, talks about the experience of working with us and how that has benefitted their materials characterisation and testing.
02:35 - Noelia Salmeron Perez further discusses the capabilities of the facility that can benefit any industry across the UK.
02:58 - Nilmini Dissanayake, Higher Research Scientist, explores the research projects she is involved in within the MTF, the aim of which is to ultimately provide industry with the confidence to utilise the results of this projects.
03:34 - Pete Thompson, followed by Ana Yong, talk about how the MTF will be important to helping industry meet net zero targets and increase efficiency through digital and green methods.
04:10 - Mark Summers continues on the subject of a green economy, discussing how new technologies can help us reduce greenhouse gases.
04:22 - Mike Gower goes on to say how exciting it is to be at the forefront of this research.
04:32 - Hannah Zhang, Higher Research Scientist, discusses NPL's long history of developing standards in techniques and test protocols.
05:03 - Pete Thompson discusses how, as the UK's National Metrology Institute, developing standards is critical to what we do and how our work with companies is helping to shape those standards that will benefit them in the future.
Find out more about the Mechanical Test Facility: npl.co.uk/mechanical-test-facility
In this video NPL's Senior Research Scientist in Optical Frequency Metrology, Marco Schioppo, describes how we are achieving this high precision with what we call 'optical players' - the Ultrastable Laser, the Optical Clock, the Optical Frequency Comb and the Optical Fibre Link. With these technologies we are supporting fields such as navigation, communication and synchronisation.
00:21 - Different optical players and what those players do
01:05 - Making the best possible lasers
01:35 - The impact of frequency metrology
02:23 - Advantages of working in Optical Frequency Metrology
We're leading an international consortium, setting records for the comparison of distant ultrastable lasers through a metrological optical fibre. Read more in this Nature Communications article: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27884-3
Find out more about our work in time and frequency: npl.co.uk/time-frequency
What is it?
The challenge is to land an air pressurised rocket, using water as a propellant, exactly 70 m from launch point, three times, with extra points for flight duration. We have a big annual festival on our site where teams compete.
When is it?
The next challenge will take place on 21 June 2022.
Find out more about how to take part on our website: npl.co.uk/water-rockets
What information do you need to calculate the heat of an object?
How does the heat of objects around your home compare with that of NPL’s hottest pudding?
In this video, see how NPL heated a ‘Christmas pudding’ (made from carbon) to 2,200 ºC and discover how you can do your own experiments at home with various festive things over the holidays.
You may be surprised how our pudding’s heat compares to that of a snowman, a cooked turkey and a candle flame.
Find out more about everything you need to take part at npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/heat-and-temperature
For more information on NPL’s hottest Christmas pudding visit: npl.co.uk/pudding
In this video, hear from NPL's CEO Pete Thompson and our quantum experts on the programme and the unique combination of facilities, expertise and experience that NPL have to offer.
00.02 – Peter Thompson – CEO – Introduction to quantum technologies
00.42 – Rhys Lewis – Head of Quantum Metrology Institute – Purpose of the NPL Quantum programme
01.14 –Quantum groups at NPL and what they’re working on.
04.40 – Applications to industry
06.18 - Who we’re working with
07.12 - Importance of quantum technologies and NPL’s work
Find out more at npl.co.uk/quantum/npl-quantum-programme
Visit:
npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/pollution-monitor
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Our Measurement at Home challenges are a chance for everyone to have some fun and learn about the science of measurement. How heavy, how long, how fast, how bright....? All these measurements will be investigated and you will find out why measurement matters in our everyday lives.
This is your chance to be curious, take some measurements and compare your results. Join in, have fun and learn some real practical science!
Follow us on social media and share pictures of your tests using the hashtag #MeasurementAtHome.
Some cups are much better at keeping drinks hot (or cold) than others. This experiment investigates this, and the effect of adding a lid. This links to how increasing insulation in your house walls, roof and reducing thermostat setting can reduce causes of climate change.
Visit: npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/hot-mug-challenge
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Our Measurement at Home challenges are a chance for everyone to have some fun and learn about the science of measurement. How heavy, how long, how fast, how bright....? All these measurements will be investigated and you will find out why measurement matters in our everyday lives.
This is your chance to be curious, take some measurements and compare your results. Join in, have fun and learn some real practical science!
Follow us on social media and share pictures of your tests using the hashtag #MeasurementAtHome.
Understanding the impact of human activity on our climate is a complex problem and minimising further increases to the Earth’s temperature is no easy task. Governments and policy makers will depend on science and data to enable evidence-based decision making as they set new climate policy. As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, NPL has a key role to play.
The Measurement for our planet programme will shine a spotlight on our work in delivering solutions for climate science, emissions measurements and showcase how we are supporting the innovation that will drive the decarbonisation of power, heat, manufacturing, agriculture and transport.
Find out more at npl.co.uk/measurement-for-our-planet.
Here we explore how the emissions from our human interaction with land is a major contributor to climate change, and how to work in union with nature to address the climate challenge, while not creating other damaging environmental consequences.
Narrated by Richard Barker, Head of Energy and Environment Strategy at NPL
Find out more: npl.co.uk/agriculture-forestry-and-other-land-use
Here we explore how climate measurement enables us to monitor change, understand past changes, and make predictions about changes in the future.
Narrated by Richard Barker, Head of Energy and Environment Strategy at NPL.
Find out more: npl.co.uk/climate-measurement-including-earth-observation
Here we explore how we can apply measurement to enable and accelerate the transition to low carbon energy to power our vehicles, and to use as little of this energy as possible.
Narrated by Richard Barker, Head of Energy and Environment Strategy, NPL.
Find out more: npl.co.uk/decarbonisation-of-transport
Hear how the energy vector has a pivotal role in the energy system transition - enabling and connecting renewable energy sources, or zero emissions technologies such as nuclear, or biofuels with carbon capture.
Narrated by Richard Barker, Head of Energy and Environment Strategy at NPL.
Find out more: npl.co.uk/energy-vector-and-infrastructure
Hear how a focus on greenhouse gas measurement enables us to target action on emissions, confirm their success and assure we are aware of the net emissions entering the atmosphere.
Narrated by Richard Barker, Head of Energy and Environment Strategy at NPL.
Find out more: npl.co.uk/greenhouse-gas-emissions-measurement
Ice melting is a global climate change issue, so we're giving you the chance to become a climate scientist at home with this cool experiment!
Watch this video to get started, then follow the instructions and record your results at npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/ice-cube-melt
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Our Measurement at Home challenges are a chance for everyone to have some fun and learn about the science of measurement. How heavy, how long, how fast, how bright....? All these measurements will be investigated and you will find out why measurement matters in our everyday lives.
This is your chance to be curious, take some measurements and compare your results. Join in, have fun and learn some real practical science!
Follow us on social media and share pictures of your tests using the hashtag #MeasurementAtHome.
One of these projects was a collaboration between London industrial design company The Imagination Factory and world-leading NPL scientists and engineers.
0:48 - Julian Swan, Engineering Director at Imagination Factory, explains their goal to develop a system that would help clear leaves from rail lines, enabling brakes to work effectively and minimise delays for passengers all year round.
1:34 - Dr Richard Dudley, Science Area Leader at NPL, explains how NPL's measurement expertise was applied in thoroughly testing Imagination Factory's system and developing solutions in real-world situations.
Enabling innovation and improving productivity and competitiveness, UK businesses can apply to access cutting-edge R&D expertise and work with world-leading scientists and research facilities. Through A4I, your business can solve technical analysis or measurement problems that are holding back innovation.
Apply now:
npl.co.uk/analysis-for-innovators
Smith & Nephew's project gave them access to the expertise of some of the top scientists and engineers in the UK.
0:48 - Dr Paul Gunning, Head of Surface Analysis at Smith & Nephew, explains their need for a solution to an ageing problem on their new antimicrobial wound dressing product that they were unable to test in house.
1:18 - Dr Charles Clifford, Senior Research Scientist at NPL, talks about working alongside the UK National Measurement Laboratory and LGC Group and the measurement techniques used to develop a solution.
Enabling innovation and improving productivity and competitiveness, UK businesses can apply to access cutting-edge R&D expertise and work with world-leading scientists and research facilities. Through A4I, your business can solve technical analysis or measurement problems that are holding back innovation.
Apply now:
npl.co.uk/analysis-for-innovators
One of these projects was a collaboration between immunoassay specialists Fleet Bioprocessing and world-leading scientists and engineers at NPL and the UK National Measurement Laboratory (NML).
0:48 - Alastair Dent, Managing Director at Fleet Bioprocessing, explains that immunoassays, which are blood tests used for the diagnosis of diseases, use labelled antibodies, but are unsure if they will work or not.
1:38 - Dr Jascindra Ravi, Higher Research Scientist at NPL, talks about how the technical teams were able to determine their needs and which techniques were used to accomplish the solution.
Enabling innovation and improving productivity and competitiveness, UK businesses can apply to access cutting-edge R&D expertise and work with world-leading scientists and research facilities. Through A4I, your business can solve technical analysis or measurement problems that are holding back innovation.
Apply now:
npl.co.uk/analysis-for-innovators
Get ready with teaspoons, a measuring jug and some water!
This Measurement@Home challenge will ask the question:
can you trust a teaspoon to give you the right dose of medicine?
It will also explain how increased numbers of measurements increase precision.
Have fun with science!
00:00 - Andrew Hanson introduces us to the talk
10:00 - Anne Curtis talks atomic clocks
17:30 - Peter Woolliams discusses GPS
28:20 - Andrew talks about the Measurement at Home challenge - Where on Earth Am I?
39:25 - Q&A
Visit npl.co.uk to find out more about the science discussed here, and to take part in our Measurement at Home challenges.
Visit: npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/reaction-time
Visit: npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/launch-and-land
Visit: npl.co.uk/measurement-at-home/osmosis-expanding-vegetables


