April Metrologist 2011

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Vol. 4, No. 2, April 2011 Jesse Morse, Morse Metrology
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Table of CONTENTS
12
2 From the President FEATURES
6
3 The Boardroom 6 2011 NCSLI Workshop & Symposium
National Harbor, MD
4 NCSLI New Members
12 Managing Maritime Metrology
5 2011 Calendar Troy Clarke
18 Learning + Development 26 People Making a Difference

Tom Wiandt
23 Caribbean Metrologists
Training Programme 30 University of Taru
Ivo Leito
24 Corporate Outreach
36 Normal Probability Function
29 Chemical Metrology Dennis Dubro
32 Pop Culture
42 Committee News
32 26
44 Regional News
46 Letter From Europe
48 Advertisers' Index
www.ncsli.org April 2011 : Metrologist 1

From the PRESIDENT
By Georgia L. Harris, NCSLI President
I recently found a degree program in Measurement Science
in Chemistry, from a consortium in Europe. For more infor-
mation visit, http://www.msc-euromaster.eu/. It is a master's
degree program jointly delivered by a consortium of nine uni-
versities. It is founded upon a bachelor degree in natural sci-
ences or engineering. It offers a broad education in the field of
basics of measurement science in chemistry (analytical chem-
istry). The academic quality of the program has been recog-
nized by the Chemistry Euromaster quality label. The mission
of the MSC consortium is to contribute to radical improve-
ment of the education level of analytical chemistry by being
the best international provider of measurement science educa-
tion in chemistry. You will also find an article on this program
in this issue.
The other keen topic for NCSLI in celebrating the U.N. Inter-
national Year of Chemistry is that of reaching the testing com-
munity. Much of the chemical metrology world is made up of
a testing community and many chemists affiliate with other
organizations such as the various chemical and analytical
As I noted in my last Presidents message, collaboration is one chemical societies often not with NCSLI. One of my favorite
of our key initiatives for 2011-2012. Take a look at my ex- uncertainty documents is the EURACHEM/CITAC Quantifying
tended article on collaboration in this issue. The article started Uncertainty in Analytical Measurements. In simple terms, I see
out as this message from the President, but it just took off as I it as the GUM for chemists. Yet, chemical metrology, chemical
got more and more excited about collaboration opportunities! standards, traceability and uncertainty of chemical measure-
Im sure that you will have even more ideas about how we can ments are critical issues. But, the testing community is one
collaborate and improve collaboration through focused effort which we havent done a very good job of reaching with the
and through use of todays technology. In fact, I got a couple NCSLI-value-added measurement concepts of traceability and
of emails during the week while writing this with ideas about uncertainty. Hopefully, we will see some special sessions on
improving collaboration. So I want to encourage you: dont chemical metrology at this years NCSLI conference.
wait for someone to invite you to collaborate on various efforts Again, I want to invite you to be a part of our 50th anni-
take the initiative. versary celebration. Join us for a wonderful opportunity to
World Metrology Day is coming! May 20th each year marks collaborate at our annual Workshop & Symposium, held at the
the celebration of the signing of the Treaty of the Meter. This Gaylord National Convention Center, August 21 to 25, 2011.
year the theme of World Metrology Day is to honor the United Get your registration in soon to save money! And, please regis-
Nations International Year of Chemistry. Check out the link ter at the conference hotel to help NCSLI ensure that we meet
at: http://www.chemistry2011.org/. The International Year of our contractual obligations.
Chemistry is a year-long celebration and the website has many
areas in which you can get involved. Updates will also come
from the http://www.worldmetrologyday.org and a poster
from the BIPM and OIML will be available.
Please note the special article in this issue from Mike Bishop, gharris@nist.gov
our chair of the Chemical Metrology Committee. This topic
is especially interesting for me from several perspectives. My
chemistry education is what got me a job in my first metrol-
ogy position. In the Minnesota Weights and Measures, labo-
ratory, staff are also responsible for petroleum quality inspec-
tions and testing. So, I spent five years before moving to NIST
in Maryland working in metrology and motor fuels quality.
2 Metrologist : April 2011 www.ncsli.org

The BOARDROOM
By Jack Somppi, NCSLI Secretary
The January BOD meeting was held in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Our winter board meeting was held near Scottsdale, Arizona already Richard Ogg was asked to move from his position as
in late January. The warm weather was a very welcome sight Secretary and take the position of Treasurer. I was asked to step
for our board members who hail from the frozen north. The out of a Division VP position and take over the responsibili-
early mornings had just a nip to them which was totally not ties of the Secretary. Generally there is at least six months of
noticed by our northerners. planning for any transitions involving those positions, but this
The winter meeting always includes a little bit of musical time around we moved a little faster.
chairs. Historically, the Immediate Past President steps down It is valuable for an organization to regularly revisit its mis-
from the board, the President stepped into the Immediate sion for existence. We are relooking at what we are attempting
Past President role, the Executive Vice President steps into the to accomplish as an organization. That begins with the crea-
Presidency, and one of the board members leaves a vacancy by tion of a vision of how our world will look when we suc-
stepping into the Executive Vice President position. Looking at ceed. We also look to our diverse membership to understand
that sequence for this year we regrettably say goodbye to Mal- who they are, what their needs are and how those needs have
colm Smith as a board member, acknowledging that absolutely changed, and who else we should be reaching. This analysis
no one will be able to bring to the board the atmosphere that will result in a mission statement that can be used as an in-
Malcolm created. strument for evaluating new efforts and aid in evaluating the
This year was a bit different in that Georgia Harris begins effectiveness of our current activities. One of the first touch
the first two-year term as President and we will operate with- points for our mission statement is in the prioritizing of the
out an Executive Vice President. While that would suggest we products that NCSLI delivers to our membership. Effective
would not have the normal opening on the board, such was vision and mission statements will enable our organization to
not to be the case. December 2010 was a rather harsh month deliver more value to our members.
for members of our board. No less than three board members The spring board meeting will be in Boulder, Colorado, uti-
(Roger Burton, Treasurer; Jim Salsbury, Measurement Science lizing the facilities of our business office. As always, all are wel-
and Technology VP; and Doug Sugg, Standards Policy VP) were come. And dont forget, it is already time to register for our 50th
forced to step down from the board due to their current work- Anniversary celebration at our 2011 Conference. Were headed
load at their day jobs. Couple this with some restructuring back home to our roots and will meet at the Gaylord National
that was begun at the autumn board meeting and there are Convention Center in Maryland, August 21-25.
plenty of changes happening. While some of these will be
announced after confirmation at our spring meeting in May, jack.somppi@fluke.com

NCSLI NEW MEMBERS
Metrological Center, Science Plant CSA International Express Calibration Services

Services Company, Limited 178 Rexdate Blve. 1803-5 SW Market St.
1 Bldg. 27, Siam Cement Rd. Toronto, ON 9W 1R3 Lees Summit, MO USA
Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand Canada Contact: Michael Sage
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Phone: (66) 025865380 Phone: 416-747-2485 msage@expresscal.com
waiphopw@scg.co.th peter.greidanus@csa-international.org
Metrological Center is a department
Emergent Biosolutions
of the Sci Plant Services Company
3500 M.L.K. BLVD
Limited which services to customers
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in Thailand; our responsibilities
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as temperature calibration, mass
vanvyves@ebsi.com
calibration, dimension calibration,
pressure calibration and force OnTime Support, Inc.
calibration. 25132 Oakhurst Dr. Suite 185
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Underwriters Laboratories
Contact: Doug Lynde
2600 N.W. Lake Road
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Camas, WA 98607 USA
dlynde@ontimesupport.com
Contact: Jeremy Pedersen
Phone: 360-817-5725 Afghan National Standards Authority
jeremy.pedersen@us.ul.com (ANSA)
Industrial Park Area Kabul
Underwriters Laboratories
Jalalabad Road/PO Box 5172
455 E. Trimble Road
Kabul, Afghanistan
San Jose, CA 95131 USA
Contact: Popalzai Popal
Contact: Ronald Lee
Phone: +93 700039592
Phone: 408-754-6734
ceo.ansa@gmail.com
ronald.w.lee@us.ul.com
McHale & Associates
Phoenix Small Tool
6430 Baum Dr.
835 W 22 St.
nd
Knoxville, TN 37919 USA
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Contact: William Ross
Contact: Don Weeks
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Phone: 602-256-7011
bill.ross@mchale.org
jon@phoenixsmalltool.com
Choice Calibration Company
TESTmetric Instrument
17411 Irvine Blvd, Suite C
& Calibration Service
Tustin, CA 92780 USA
605C Cite des Jeunes
Contact: Ken Meadows
St. Lazare, QC J7T 2A7
Phone: 714-730-1670
Canada
choicelabs@aol.com
Contact: Eric Gauvreault
Phone: 450-424-7717 Fred V. Fowler Company, Inc.
service@testmetric.com 66 Rowe St.
Auburndale, MA 02466 USA
Contact: Fred Fowler
Phone: 800-788-2353
fred@fvfowler.com
NCSL International is a nonprofit organization, whose membership is open

to any organization with an interest in the science of measurement, and its
www.ncsli.org application in research, development, education, or commerce.
303-440-3339

2011 CALENDAR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

JANUARY MAY AUGUST OCTOBER
Radisson Fort McDowell Resort Hotel Homewood Suites Gaylord National Mystic Lake Hotel
10438 North Fort McDowell Rd. 4950 Baseline Road 201 Waterfront Street 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd.
Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, AZ 85264 Boulder, CO 80303 National Harbor, MD 20745 Prior Lake, MN 55372
Phone: (480) 789-5300 Phone: (303) 499-9922 Phone: (301) 965-2000 Phone: (800) 548-8536
All NCSLI Board Meetings are open to the public. Please register with NCSLI 303-440-3339 if you plan on attending.
REGION AND SECTION MEETINGS

May 5, 2011 May 25, 2011
Huntsville Section 1223 Albuquerque Section 1324
Location: Guntersville State Park Lodge Location: Albuquerque Cherry Hills Public Library
Contact: Beverly Garcia Contact: Hy Tran
Phone: 256-714-2602 Phone: 505-844-5417
beverlygarcia@jmtest.com hdtran@sandia.gov
May 19, 2011 May 25, 2011

Northern Ohio Section Uncertainty Roadshow Mid-Atlantic Region, Maryland Section Training Event
Location: Cleveland State University Location: A2LA, Fredrick
Contact: Helga Alexander Contact: Rob Knake
Phone: 440- 498-3056 Phone: 301-644-3218
helga.alexander@keithley.com rknake@a2la.org
May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011

Twin Cities Section 1311 Mid-Atlantic Region, Maryland Section 1211
Location: Productivity Quality Inc. Location: NIST, Gaithersburg
15150 25th Avenue North, Suite 200 Contact: Rob Knake
Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 301-644-3218
Contact: Harry Spinks rknake@a2la.org
Phone: 763-434-1945
harry.spinks@bsci.com
June 2, 2011
Chicago Section 1312 August 21-25, 2011
Location: Holiday Inn, Elk Grove Village NCSLI Workshop & Symposium
Contact: Jody Glemza Gaylord National Convention Center
Phone: 630-723-3620 National Harbor, MD
ncsli.chicago@mitutoyo.com
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to
FEATURE
By Troy Clarke, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Public Affairs
U.S. NAVY
Managing Maritime Metrology
What started as a project to reduce sailor workload and increase Rear Admiral David H. Lewis talked about how the Navy uses
calibration efficiency turned into an award winning patented innovative technology to build, manage and maintain the so-
system that's reducing costs for the Navy. With a constitu- phisticated ships and weapons systems it needs. He pointed
tional mandate and an area of responsibility spanning nearly to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Coronas metrology de-
three-quarters of the earths surface, one only has to glance at partment in California as an example of how the Navy is ac-
the headlines to see what the United States Navy confronts complishing its vital mission and ensuring what the cabinet
on a daily basis. Whether called on to provide humanitar- secretary of the worlds only global fleet wants, an enduring
ian assistance, or disaster relief to 80 % of the worlds popula- global force for good.
tion that lives near the ocean, or counter pirate threats to the In the months since that celebrated address, the inland
roughly 90 % of international trade that travels by sea, more Southern California science and engineering command has gar-
than 600,000 sailors and Navy civilians are working around nered high praise and top honors for its metrology work and
the world to ensure security and prosperity for America, her recently received a coveted award from the Navys chief infor-
partners and allies. mation technology officer.
During a keynote address at last summers National Confer- What led to this success is an inspired commitment by Navy
ence of Standards Laboratories International annual conference, civilian engineers to deliver the best solution for sailors at the
then-vice commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) lowest cost for the American taxpayer.
The Aegis-class destroyer USS Hopper

Patent Power for surface combatants, amphibi-

To understand what is happening ous ships, logistic support ships,
within the Navys acclaimed system support craft, and related foreign
of laboratories, one needs to first military sales, said the Navys strat-
realize the Navy was ranked No. egy relies on innovation to improve
1 in the world for newly patented capability and reduce costs.
discoveries and inventions in the The Navy is leading the world
2010 Patent Power report published in patents for innovation and has
by the Institute of Electrical and the strongest government patent
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) the portfolio in the world, Lewis said
worlds largest professional associa- then. And NAVSEAs warfare cent-
tion dedicated to advancing techno- ers account for nearly half of the
logical innovation and excellence. Navys patents. If the warfare cent-
Lewis, now serving as the Navys ers were evaluated separately, they
Program Executive Officer for Ships, alone would rank with the best in
responsible for Navy shipbuilding the world.
Providence, R.I. (July 26, 2010) Naval Sea Systems Command

(NAVSEA) Vice Commander Rear Admiral David H. Lewis delivers
keynote address during NCSLI Workshop & Symposium.

FEATURE
Rear Admiral David H. Lewis. Arman Hovakemian, Kisan Pandit, Robert Fritzsche.
Lewis outlined for the audience of maritime service is reaping the benefits of gram manager, for technical assistance.
more than 600 government and industry a strong patent portfolio. In less than a year, Pandits office and the
professionals, who gathered July 26, 2010 Corona Warfare Center delivered a proto-
in Providence, R.I., for the NCSLI confer- Metrology Management type of a new system, called the Metrol-
ence on 21st century innovations in me- Lewis successful partnership with Coro- ogy Benchtop (METBENCH) Calibration
trology, how improvements in measure- na began during his tour as assistant chief Management System (MCMS).
ment and calibration standards will save of staff, maintenance and engineering, I envisioned a system that took our
millions in ownership costs for the Navy. Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. existing R&D METBENCH capability and
He used Corona, the Navys metrology Pacific Fleet, in San Diego. Needing to transitioned it to a system that provided
and calibration (METCAL) agent respon- replace calibration management systems total asset visibility, said Pandit. So
sible for setting all measurement and cali- ending their lifecycle, then-Capt. Lewis MCMS provides a single enterprise solu-
bration standards for the Navy and Ma- contacted Kisan Pandit, NAVSEAs MET- tion for both our ashore labs and afloat
rine Corps, as a key example of how the CAL technical warrant holder and pro- platforms to reduce the total ownership
cost for the Navy. Thats what our Fleet
needed and thats what we delivered a
cost effective enterprise solution.
The Corona Warfare Center would re-
ceive patents in seven areas of innova-
tion for the MCMS program.
Critical Calibrations
Calibrations are critical to nearly every
aspect of naval operations and helps en-
sure equipment functions properly, ac-
curately and safely, ranging from a ships
propulsion plant to an F/A-18 Hornets
laser target designators to night vision
goggles. METBENCH program manager
Richard Schumacher said the system
seamlessly integrates more than 136 au-
tomated calibration procedures for 835
items across NAVSEAs calibration foot-
print. This significantly increases cali-

bration efficiency and improves equip-

ment availability for the Navys 1.85
million pieces of test equipment across
400 shipboard and shore-based calibra-
tion labs and facilities, Schumacher said.
This supports the roughly 800,000 cali-
brations the Navy performs each year.
Starting with Pandits visionary ar-
chitecture for a net-centric solution, the
METBENCH team took the R&D system
in 2006 from concept to sea trial within
12 months and completed installation
for the entire surface fleet last Septem-
ber. Beginning installations in 2007, the
system is currently aboard 144 surface
ships. With MCMS, type commanders
now have capability to monitor calibra-
tion readiness of each platform in a near-
real time environment from their shore
workstations.
Schumacher added that Coronas ap-
proach to shipboard calibration fully
utilizes the Navys distance support archi-
tecture to best support the fleet deployed
anywhere in the world, and MCMS sys-
tem makes these tasks as easy and trans-
parent to the sailor as possible
Laboratory of the Mind

During his address, Lewis also high-
lighted other examples from the MET-
CAL Research and Development Pro-
gram where Corona has led in new and
improved support, citing new corrosion
photometric standards, night vision
calibration, and counter-IED detection
standards.
For NAVSEAs Naval Surface Warfare
Center commander, this level of innova-
tion comes as no surprise. He says his USS Sterett.
team is just working hard to develop the and support. First established in 1992, the Navys budget, the command is also
best for the Navy. eight NSWC divisions and two Naval responsible for gauging the warfight-
We have a very spirited and innova- Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) divi- ing capability of weapons and integrated
tive workforcethe real intellectual capi- sions comprised of approximately 19,000 combat systems, through assessment of
tal of the Navy, said NSWC Commander scientists, engineers, technician and sup- systems performance, readiness, quality,
Rear Admiral James Shannon. port personnel, provide full spectrum supportability, and the adequacy of train-
He says the warfare centers are the fleet support to Navy and Marine Corps ing. The base is home to three premiere
Navys principal research, development, warfighters. laboratories and assessment centers: the
test and evaluation, analysis and assess- In addition to being the Navys MET- Joint Warfare Assessment Lab; the Meas-
ment activities for ship and submarine CAL agent, Corona serves as the Navys urement Science and Technology Lab; and
platforms and machinery technology independent assessment agent. Part of the new Daugherty Memorial Assessment
for surface combat systems, ordnance, NAVSEA, the Navys largest systems com- Center, dedicated to fallen Sailor Petty Of-
mines, and strategic systems products mand responsible for about one-fifth of ficer 1st Class Steven P. Daugherty.

FEATURE
Rear Admiral David H. Lewis.
Theyre out there doing their best every day, not just for MCMS team received a top Navy Information Management/In-
the Navy of today, but by building the Navy of tomorrow, formation Technology Excellence Award in January for develop-
said Shannon. ing the system.
As a customer, Lewis agreed. MCMS is a great system. It all The Navys chief information officer, who presented the an-
comes back to (working) for the warfighter. nual award to recognize outstanding contributions by individu-
als and teams who are transforming the Navy and Marine Corps
Pipeline Power through information technology, praised the MCMS program.
With 232 patents issued in 2009, the Navy outpaced its clos- The award Corona got is a great example of (innovation,
est two competitors by wide margins. The U.S. Department of efficiency and effectiveness), said Navy CIO Terry Halver-
Health and Human Services received 121 patents and Japans son. Calibration of equipment is very important in the fleet.
Science and Technology Agency, 104. NAVSEAs warfare cent- This system will increase mission effectiveness while decreas-
ers secured 113 patents and helped propel the Navy to IEEEs ing our expense.
patent-pipeline power rating of 255, double that of the Health MCMS replaces five existing IT systems and provides for more
and Human Services Department. effective decision making, improved tasking efficiency, as well
One of the Navys most notable and ubiquitous patents in as enhanced mission effectiveness, program managers say.
public use is the Navigation System Using Satellites and Passive MCMS relies entirely on open-source and government off-
Ranging Techniques issued in 1974, which led to the develop- the-shelf technology and consists of several integral compo-
ment of the NAVSTAR-Global Positioning System (GPS) and was nents, such as automated procedure execution; advanced cali-
invented by a research scientist at the Naval Research Labora- bration procedure development; and both afloat and ashore
tory (NRL). calibration asset management. Program managers say these key
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) provides the science and elements complement one another and help align Navy systems
technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps commands, fleet users, technical agents, type commanders and
technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader ashore calibration activities.
in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 In conjunction with the surface fleet roll-out of MCMS,
countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 indus- with support from leadership in NAVSEAs Logistics, Main-
try partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, com- tenance and Industrial Operations Directorate, Rear Admiral
prising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel with addi- Joseph Campbell and senior executive James Brice, NAVSEA
tional employees at NRL in Washington, D.C. began to install the ashore portion of the system in fiscal year
2010 at several calibration laboratories. The ashore iplementa-
Rewarding Innovation tion is being supported with funding from Rear Admiral Richard
It should come as no surprise that the success of MCMS would Berkey at U.S. Pacific Fleet and Rear Admiral John Orzalli at U.S.
attract recognition from top Navy officials. It has. Coronas Fleet Forces Command. The full system capability, including

the lab management function, will be up and running at all continued efficiencies and increased capabilities not only for
NAVSEA enterprise calibration laboratories during fiscal years Navy but the sister services and possibly even the private sector.
2012-2014. Like a pyramid constructed thousands of years ago using a
Halverson says Coronas approach is exactly what the Navy cubit, calibrated foundations can stand the test of time. For
needs and why the METBENCH team received the award. what the Corona team built, its commander couldnt be happier
Youve got more effectiveness, more efficiency. Thats a with the results.
win-win scenario. Halverson said. And its innovative. Its We are extremely proud of what this dedicated METBENCH
showing what can be done when people think a little outside team has accomplished, said NSWC Corona Commanding Of-
the box. ficer Captain Jay Kadowaki. It demonstrates what can be ac-
complished when youre working on a mission as important as
Whats Next? the Navys.
Calibration requirements date back some 5,000 years ago
with the calibrated cubit of ancient Egyptians. Navy meas-
urements and calibration, too, are steeped in history, having
a unique double-mandate found in Article I, Section 8 of the
United States Constitution, where people like Benjamin Fran-
klin and Thomas Jefferson established the need for America
to standardize weights and measures, and to provide and main-
tain a Navy.
What Pharaohs and Founding Fathers knew is that calibra-
tion is foundational to key aspects of society, from building
to agriculture. And its role continues today, where calibration
spans nearly all facets of modern society, from gas pumps to troy.clarke@navy.mil
fighter jets to weight standards used in international trade. With
U.S. Navy photos by Greg Vojtko
the success of the Navys solution to manage its maritime me-
trology requirements, the future holds vast opportunities for
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LEARNING + DEVELOPMENT
By Georgia L. Harris, NIST Weights and Measures Division
Introduction Keep in mind, their guidance was from the early days of hav-
Lets say youre sitting in a session at a conference or tuto- ing overhead slides (note: after 35 mm slides, before Power-
rial. How often do you find yourself assessing the presenta- Point). Having reviewed some of the session feedback in recent
tion skills of the presenter rather than the technical content years (and of course, sitting in sessions myself), I thought it
of what they have to say? What are the barriers that keep you might be useful to bring this topic up again. If you are a speak-
from paying attention to the message? If I asked you to make a er or presenter, it would be a good idea to find someone to help
list right now go ahead and do it what are the poorest pres- do peer reviews in your sessions to give you some honest
entation techniques the ones that frustrate you while listening feedback on how youre doing.
to a presentation?
Ok, now for you instructors and presenters, ask yourself and Presentation Pet Peeves
your friends what is on the list? Which of these blunders Here are a few of my pet peeves and some associated ways to
have you committed? How many of these barriers have gotten ensure effective presentations. If you are a speaker and identi-
in your way while trying to ensure effective communication? fied items on the list you just made, or those that are on my
In the early 1990s Ralph Bertermann (NCSLI Past President) list, please give some thought to how you are throwing words
and David Duff (Past Region Coordinator) worked on a presen- on the wall and how you can make improvements. Just to be
tation called Throwing Words on the Wall. It was provided honest I have to tell you that Ive probably been guilty of
to all conference presenters prior to the annual conference. everything on my list over the years! This list is an internal
checklist of sorts that I use to monitor my own speaking.
PET PEEVE EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS

Have someone video tape your presentations and watch it! Have someone give you feedback during a
dry run presentation on every time you say um, like, or you know or any similar filler word. Take
your time while speaking and just pause in the silence. Awareness of this detractor is one of the key things
Um, Like, You know
that will help stop it. (Personally, I saw myself on video a few times and now, I often hear myself slip into
this habit. When it happens, I just pause and tell myself no ums. I also have an issue with the word
actually. Tell me if you see me do this).
Poor visuals: Projecting a 12 pt font letter, report, graph, text on a screen and saying well, I know you cant really see
fonts/graphics this is a bad idea. If you know we cant see it, dont do it. Find another way to communicate the idea.
too small, too The old stand-by is: use no more than seven words per line, no more than seven lines, and adequate
much text, poor contrast for a non-darkened room.
colors/contrast
Not sharing I saw an article recently about the worst way to start a presentation: by talking about yourself or your
WIIFM why organization. In it, the author asks how effective talking about yourself would be on a blind date. Think
should the audi- about it! If you talk about yourself too much, the audience tunes out immediately. Tell the audience what
ence care? whats they want to hear; talk about their needs; tell them WIIFM (whats in it for them!)
the point?
Failing to respect If a speaker knows they have 20 to 25 minutes to talk and 5 to 10 minutes for questions, and they inten-
time limits and tionally go over time and have to be asked to stop they are disrespecting the other speakers. It is better
other speakers to go with less is more and invite people to talk to you more during a networking break or during lunch.
in the session Ask a friend in the audience, or the session host, to give you feedback on timing.
Is anyone else in the room with the speaker? Speaking to notes reduces projection, volume and clarity.
No eye contact
Talking toward the slides does the same thing. This is especially true in a room if microphones are not
(staring at notes
used. I can assure you the slides cant hear you. If a microphone is used, speak into it. Most micro-
or slides, talking
phones do not have omni-directional pick-up. (Thats why if you turn your head, even wearing a lapel
to the slides)
microphone, the audience cant hear you.)

Train the Trainer
Another problem with reading slides or notes (which often happens when theres too much text or too lit-
tle preparation), is that it is easy to slip into a monotone reading voice. I occasionally find myself slipping
Monotone voice
into this voice, even when not reading, after a long day of teaching. When I hear myself do it its time
(no energy); Read-
for a break. As a speaker, I need to keep my energy up if I have any hope of keeping the energy up in the
ing slides/notes or
room. One key challenge here is that when slides and presentation notes are being used internationally by
memorized script
non-native speakers (or when someone will be simultaneously translating and they want the notes ahead
of time) its important to practice talking with energy!
Jingling change/ I most often find this an issue for men; I guess most women put their stuff in a bag. Its a good practice
keys in pockets, to empty your pockets before talking. Otherwise, people will be focused on what you have in your
hands in pockets, pockets and looking to the area of your pockets instead of at your face!
fig leaf position
Pacing/rocking Nervous habits of rocking back and forth, or walking back and forth in a two or three foot space is usually
and wild ges- movement without meaning. A podium might help keep you in one spot, though often is less effective
tures movement when you want to raise the energy level. Video taping or feedback from a friend can help.
without meaning
Cutsie animations Just because PowerPoint can do it, doesnt mean you should! Enough said.
and sound effects
Saying, I just updated my slides last night or this morning means the speaker did not prepare adequately
Handouts that
ahead of time. Having handouts from two years ago, with slides updated this year, means the speaker didnt
dont match
consider audience needs adequately. Yes, unfortunately, Ive been guilty of this myself. Make sure if this
the slides
happens that you ask the speaker for an updated set of slides or areference to where they will be posted.
Unrelated pictures, clip art, and photos that are unrelated to the topic are too small to see are not helpful.
Graphics Graphics that help communicate the message are essential and yes, sometimes a picture does communi-
cate 1,000 words.
Conclusion
As speakers and presenters, its important for us to Best Paper Session Evaluations
consider the continual improvement process that Best Paper Chair/Co-chair: Karen Semer, Kevin Rust
we are expected to use in the laboratory when ap-
One thing to keep in mind while reflecting on throwing words on
plying ISO/IEC 17025. Finding a trusted peer re-
the wall is that a portion of the best paper evaluation assesses the
viewer (like an assessor) can be quite valuable. Make speaker and the actual presentation during the Conference. The cur-
sure that its someone who will give you construc- rent best paper presentation evaluation sheets evaluate speakers in
tive feedback and not just say everything was won- the 5 areas below:
derful. Honesty is a key feature in a peer reviewer
Technical Merit:
if you really want to improve. I said earlier that this
The concepts, methodology and conclusions were technically sound.
list of pet peeves is an internal checklist of sorts for
Structure and Content:
me. You might find one or two things on this list
The presentation was well organized, and the presentation
that you can target for improvement this year. Feel supported the conclusions.
free to use it and internalize it. Copying it would be
Understandability:
the best form of flattery.
The speaker was clear and concise in the presentation.
I understood the information, figures, pictures and tables.
Best wishes on effective presentations
Learning Objectives:
in the coming year! The learning outcomes were clear, specific, concise and measure-
able. I will be able to practice and apply the learning outcomes.
gharris@nist.gov Opinion:
In my opinion and assessment the paper represents the best
technical and professional criteria for the NCSLI best paper award.
Keep these ideas in mind when you attend the
conference and evaluate the sessions that you attend.
Your input matters!

By Georgia L. Harris, NCSLI President
COLLABORATION is not an option!
minded professionals. This was said by Jesse Morse, our Mar-

keting Vice President and echoed several times by others in the
following and similar ways: if I have a metrology question, or
someone asks me a metrology question, and I dont know the
answer, I can contact one of my fellow NCSLI colleagues and
have an answer within 24 hours. Im sure many of you have
had similar experiences.
One of my favorite authors/teachers on collaboration is Russ
Linden. I participated in a week-long session with him at the
Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA in 2003. Russ
also has a couple of books out on collaboration. One of them
is: Collaborating Across Boundaries. Its a great book to pick up
if you want some insights on how to collaborate better across
whatever boundaries you perceive. As I have shared before,
one of our 2011-2012 key initiatives is National and Interna-
tional Collaboration. So, what does that mean and what does
that look like?
Here are a few of my thoughts. Boundaries in NCSLI that
we would benefit from increasingly working across include
Collaboration is not an option; it's a requirement. As I said
committees, regions/sections lines, diversity and generational
in my Presidents message in the January Metrologist we are
lines, geographies, cultural lines, time zones, and with other
a volunteer-run organization and there is no I in TEAM. I also
associations that have similar goals and objectives.
invited you in our last issue to get into the action.
I quoted the dictionary definition of collaboration here, but
International Collaboration
I really like the Wikipedia consolidation better.
Let me start with some thoughts on international collabora-
tion. In our January issue, you read an article from Morayo
Collaboration is a recursive [1] process where two or more
Awosola, called Working Across Cultures that was originally
people or organizations work together to realize shared goals,
published in the OIML Bulletin. The International Organiza-
(this is more than the intersection of common goals seen in
tion for Legal Metrology (OIML) is one of our liaison organi-
cooperative ventures, but a deep, collective, determination
zations where we have a signed letter of intent to further our
to reach an identical objective) for example, an intellec-
collaborative efforts. Working across geographical and cultural
tual endeavor [2,3] that is creative in nature [4]by sharing
boundaries is essential for most of us in the workplace and
knowledge, learning and building consensus. Most collabora-
certainly so within NCSLI.
tion requires leadership, although the form of leadership can
NCSLI has a number of liaison associations both nation-
be social within a decentralized and egalitarian group. [5] In
ally and internationally. These include the National Metrol-
particular, teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater
ogy Institutes of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Ja-
resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for
pan as representatives to our Board of Directors. We also have
finite resources. [6]
Representatives to the Board from the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures (BIPM) and several regional metrology
NCSLI has been a collaborating organization from the very
organizations such as the Interamerican Metrology System
beginning, 50 years ago. In one of our recent workshops at
(SIM), European Association of National Metrology Institutes
the January Board meeting, Malcolm Smith (our 2010 Imme-
(EURAMET), and Euro-Asian Cooperation of National Metro-
diate Past President) led us through an exercise to share what
logical Institutions (COOMET). In addition to OIML, which
we value about NCSLI. One of the top issues mentioned was:
Ive already mentioned, we also have liaisons with associations
the opportunity to network and share ideas with other like-
such as Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measure-

Collaboration is not an option
ments, Measurement Science Conference, American Society erto Benitez who has been conducting measurement science
for Quality / Measurement Quality Division, Government Data outreach for students in Mexico. The 2010 Metrology Ambas-
and Information Exchange Program, Joint Technical Coordi- sador effort truly seeks to be an international effort and the
nating Group for Calibration and Measurement Technology, technology is available to enable greater collaboration. Spon-
Calibration Coordination Group, Institute of Environmental sorships for enhancing this effort continue to be welcome.
Sciences and Technology, European Laboratory Association,
Asia Pacific Metrology Programme, German Association for Technology and Collaboration
Measurement and Automatic Control, St. Vincent and the Speaking of technology, addi-
Grenadines Bureau of Standards (NMI Affiliate), French Col- tional exciting national and
lege of Metrology. international collabora-
You have regularly seen an international track at our annual tion is regularly occur-
Workshop & Symposium, with tutorial instructors from around ring among our com-
the world. We continue working to integrate international in- mittees and region/
put and efforts into all of the technical and educational tracks. section training events
In fact, some of our best paper awards over the years have been through the use of so-
collaborative efforts, completed across geographical and politi- cial media and inter-
cal boundaries. At the conference and in publication articles, net resources (Web 2.0).
we have heard and read about the International Conference We are regularly hearing
on Weights and Measures, Mutual Recognition Agreement (the about virtual meetings
CIPM MRA) and we can see how various National Metrology or blended meetings that
Institutes from around the world compare in measurement key dont limit participation on
comparisons and we can look up data from those efforts on your ability to travel to an event or
the BIPM website in the Key Comparison Database (KCDB). on your geographic area of the world. Board members are giv-
Why all of the international collaboration? Because we all ing highlight presentations at region and section meetings via
seek to serve or participate in the world of measurement in web meeting technology such as WebEx, GoToMeeting, and
some way, shape, or form, and we have similar purposes to Adobe Connect Pro. The conference committee has long func-
improve the quality and acceptance of measurements world- tioned via monthly (and weekly) teleconferences and so have
wide. To some extent, we all share information and resources. several writing groups among our committees. The Utilities,
I know that I have found it to be true, sometimes the answer I Membership, and Workplace and Professional Development
need comes from another country or another association. Committees (among others) have regularly held virtual meet-
ings. Regular interactivity among metrologists from around
Learning and Development Collaboration the world is taking place on Facebook and LinkedIn through
There are a few exciting examples of collaboration that I have a variety of groups and subgroups. NCSLI has a presence on
seen over the past year in the area of learning and develop- Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and I encourage you to follow
ment where the types of collaboration are blurred including us, like us, and join us.
collaboration across association, national, and generational Id like to also highlight a few of our more active social me-
boundaries. The metrologycareers.com website has been a dia proponents. Bill Hinton (current Board Member), Charlie
jointly sponsored effort between NCSLI, the Measurement Sci- Motzko (a Past President), and Derek Porter (our Immediate
ence Conference, and the ASQ Measurement Quality Division. Past President) have been pushing our involvement and use of
We received initial feedback on the DVD Find a Cool Career in Web 2.0 resources. Craig Gulka, our NCSLI Executive Director
Metrology and the website from around the world and about is working feverishly with an outside group to make major im-
30 % of the hits on the website during December and January provements in the usability of our NCSLI website to improve
were from non-U.S. countries. This new outreach resource has delivery of our products and services and ensure a sound opera-
links to schools with measurement science courses/programs tional infrastructure. You regularly get e-News from our Media
from around the world and includes the EURAMET, Metrology Coordinator, Linda Stone. Rhonda Carradine, our Michigan
In Short publication (with permission) along with video con- Section Coordinator, moderates a group called Metrologically
tent from Butler County Community College (also with per- Speaking on LinkedIn. Richard Fertell, one of our section co-
mission). The team working on this effort has never all met in ordinators in California regularly posts meeting minutes and
person, but we collaborate through an online resource where sends out informative emails. Elizabeth Gentry regularly posts
ideas are shared and we have held collaborative web meetings. interesting metrology (and Metric) news items on Facebook. I
We are currently working on Phase II to expand the website think you will find that many people are sharing information,
version with Blogs, Surveys, additional resources, and links. ideas, resources, and job opportunities through these social
One of our 2010 Metrology Ambassador reports was from Rob- media links I mentioned as well as many others check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaboration (February 3, 2011)

1. Marinez-Moyano, I. J. Exploring the Dynamics of Collaboration in Interor-
ganizational Settings, Ch. 4, p. 83, in Schuman (Editor). Creating a Cul-
ture of Collaboration. Jossey-Bass, 2006. ISBN 0-7879-8116-8.
2. Collaborate, Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary, 2007
3. Collaboration, Encyclopdia Britannica Online, 2007
4. Collaboration, Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, (1989). (Eds.)
J. A. Simpson & E. S. C. Weiner. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5.Spence, Muneera U. Graphic Design: Collaborative Processes = Under-
standing Self and Others. (lecture) Art 325: Collaborative Processes. Fair-
I continue to invite you to get into the action! From the banks Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. 13 April 2006.
collaboration definition earlier, I really like this sentence to 6. Wagner, Caroline S. and Loet Leydesdorff. Globalisation in the network of
describe the importance of collaboration: In particular, teams science in 2005: The diffusion of international collaboration and the forma-
that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition of a core group.
tion and reward when facing competition for finite resources.
Another useful acronym we should keep in mind related to
collaboration is T.E.A.M. Together, Everyone Achieves More.
gharris@nist.gov
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Caribbean National Bureaus of Standards
TRAINING PROGRAMME
for 15 Caribbean Metrologists
at European NMIs
In the second half of March 2011, 15 metrologists from Carib- European National Metrology Institutes
bean National Bureaus of Standards (NBS) received two weeks BEV Bundesamt fr Eich- und Vermessungswesen, Austria
hands-on training at different EURAMET member NMIs in fields CEM Centro Espaol de Metrologa, Spain
like mass metrology, pressure, volume, temperature and electric- CMI Czech Metrology Institute, Czech Republic
ity meters. The training was framed by initial and final work- LNE Laboratoire national de mtrologie et d'essais, France
shops including a training course on measurement uncertainty MIRS/UL-FE/LMK: Metrology Institute of the Republic of
at the PTB / EURAMET headquarters in Braunschweig, Germany, Slovenia/University of Ljubljana-Faculty of Electrical
on 14 and 28/29 March 2011 respectively. Engineering/Laboratory of Metrology and Quality
The activity was financed by the EU ACP Programme SMD FPS Economy, DG Quality and Safety, Metrology
PROINVEST (www.proinvest-eu.org), and coordinated by the Division, Belgium
Technical Cooperation of the German NMI Physikalisch-Tech- As well as the
nische Bundesanstalt (PTB) together with EURAMET and CROSQ, ZMK Zentrum fr Messen und Kalibrieren, Germany
the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality. CARCARIFORUM National Bureaus of Standards
The objective of the training activity was to develop the capac- Haiti, MCI Minister du Commerce et de lIndustrie, Haiti
ity of the CARIFORUM NMIs to provide necessary metrological St. Vincent and the Grenadines, SVGBS Bureau of Standards
services, as well as to strengthen the partnership and profes- Dominica, DBOS Dominica Bureau of Standards
sional ties between EURAMET and CROSQ. The programme Grenada, GBS Grenada Bureau of Standards
supported the implementation of the WTO Agreement on BSJ Jamaica Bureau of Standards
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as well as the Economic Part- DIGENOR Direccin General de Normas y Sistemas de
nership Agreements between the CARIFORUM and the EU. It is Calidad, Metrologia, Dominican Republic
a concrete example of successful collaboration and cooperation Planning Unit, Ministry of Development, St. Kitts and Nevis
between technical organisations on TBT issues of Europe and ABBS Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards, Metrication
Cariforum, which are promoted by the EPA (Title I, Chapter 6). SLBS St. Lucia Bureau of Standards, Metrology
BBS Belize Bureau of Standards
GNBS Legal Metrology and Standards Compliance Department, Guyana
Article compliments of EURAMET
CROSQ and EURAMET would like to thank the participating

institutions for their engagement:

CORPORATE OUTREACH
By Helga Alexander, Metrology Services Manager, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS
INTRODUCES
Shaker Heights Middle School Students
to Careers in Engineering and Science
Keithley Instruments, a manufacturer of test and measurement instruments, recently

hosted 30 girls from the Shaker Heights Middle Schools Young Women in Science Club
and their science teacher, Dr. Clara Pelfrey. The purpose of the visit was to introduce
young girls to careers in engineering and science, and to get them excited about math
and science courses in school. Several female engineers from Keithleys New Product
Development Department told the girls about the interesting engineering tasks they
are involved in on a daily basis. They also gave examples of how Keithley customers
use the instruments these engineers helped design.
Before entering the Production area, the group learned about electrostatic discharge
and the great damage it can do to printed circuit boards. This helped them understand
why they all had to wear protective smocks. In the production area they saw how tiny
electronic components were automatically placed onto the printed circuit boards, and
how the finished boards end up in the final measurement product.
Helga Alexander, Keithleys Metrology Services Manager, took this opportunity to
introduce the 7th graders to metrology concepts and the importance of calibration. The
girls showed great interest in the history of the Egyptian Royal Cubit. They used a cubit
stick replica to see whether the distance from their individual elbows to the tips of
their middle fingers, plus the width of their hands, was larger or smaller than the cubit
stick replica Helga had obtained from NCSLI. The girls then toured the standards labo-
ratory to see some of Keithleys primary reference standards. Helga explained that the

Keithley Instruments
captions here
primary resistance standards they were

viewing are like the royal cubit masters
for Keithley. The many test and meas-
urement instruments they had seen
used on the production floor, on the
other hand, were the equivalents to the
Egyptian workers cubit sticks. The girls
learned that, just as was the case during
the building of the pyramids, to ensure
accurate measurements, resistors and
other test and measurement equipment
have to be periodically calibrated. The
group was happy to hear, however, that
while in Egyptian times failure to bring
back ones cubit stick for calibration
was punishable by death, this is not the
case at Keithley.
The event ended with the group en-
joying lunch in the cafeteria with Lin-
da Rae, Keithleys president, who also
stressed the importance of studying
math and science. The event was great-
ly enjoyed by all participating Keithley
employees as well as the young visitors.
halexander@keithley.com
Brian Ketchens.

PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
By Tom Wiandt, Fluke Calibration
Good Training Can Go a Long Way

I was born in Detroit in the early dye, and automotive grease. By high school I was fully
1960's as the youngest of five chil- engulfed in a two track curriculum: college track and in-
dren in a decidedly blue-collar dustrial track science and dirty hands.
household. My father was a part When I was about 12 a family tragedy changed eve-
time machinist at a union shop rything at home and thrust me inexorably forward. By
and a part time mechanic at the this time, my father had progressed from part time ma-
local service station. My mother chinist to full time short haul trucker. He had his union
was a checkout clerk at the local card (along with a genuine Jimmy Hoffa watch which
Farmer Jack grocery store. They I now have) and a good job with Allied delivery. My
met as a result of my father rac- mother was able to stay at home. One day he hurt his
ing up and down the street in his back unloading his truck. His stubborn attitude prevent-
1958 Packard. My mother asked ed him from seeing a doctor until he could barely move.
Tom Wiandt, an upstairs tenant if she knew It turned out that he had ruptured several disks and
NCSLI 2010 Education
and Training who the maniac was that thinks the street is a racetrack bruised his spinal cord. Two years and several surgeries
award winner. and she responded Yes I doits my brother, do you later, he was partially paralyzed and out of the trucking
want to meet him? The rest is Motor City history. business. This event turned my family upside down, and
Life was tough in the 60's in Detroit. After my old- ironically, became a turning point in my life. As a result
er brother had some run-ins with knife wielding high of my fathers injuries, my mother was forced to go back
school students my parents took steps to protect us to work. Grocery store clerks didnt earn enough so she
from this environment. After many attempts, they suc- became a spot welder in a basket factory. Dad became
ceeded in moving the family into a neighborhood that a stay at home dad as he regained his mobility and al-
placed us into a better (and safer) school district. Be- lowed the workers compensation claim to progress. As
cause of my young age, I was fortunate in being in the a result, I had a full time father around; I learned to fix
new neighborhood and school system from kindergar- things around the house (we didnt hire work out), work
ten to the eleventh grade. The neighborhood still had in the garage, and work on cars. I learned the proper
its problems but was much better than the inner city names for all of the tools and what they were used for.
four-plex we had been living in. The combination of Dad would work and dad would coach, when he was
the unique nature of this particular school system and under a car his lack of mobility wasnt as serious a chal-
my parents blue-collar pull-yourself-up-by-your-boot- lenge. As a child of 12/13/14, this was a very frustrating
straps attitude shaped my life. experience and anything but pleasant, but I look back
Grammar school was typical and corporal punish- on it today as one of the most precious periods of my
ment was the norm. My combative nature guaranteed life. Not only did I spend countless hours with my fa-
more than a few trips to the principals office and a few ther, I learned lessons that I would never have learned
run-ins with the board of education. I soon learned otherwise and I began to change.
that, as personally fulfilling as fisticuffs could be, it sel- Eventually, workmans compensation settled and
dom solved any problems and often made things worse. provided my father with enough seed money to start a
Fortunately for me I calmed down by junior high which business. No lawsuits were involved Americans didnt
turned out to be critical. The uniqueness of the school sue their employers back then. My older brother, who
system was evident in our brand-new junior high. Pre is a gifted mechanic, moved back from Missouri hav-
energy crisis and with Motor City in full swing, suburban ing completed his degree and we opened a Shell Service
Detroit was relatively affluent and reasonably well man- Station. I was 15 that summer. We worked 18 hours a
aged. As a result, our school district (mostly white-collar day for most of the summer getting things going, with
professional households) had a solid budget and plenty a day off here and there. Mother had to literally shake
of funding. We ended up with a state-of-the-art junior me awake to get me moving in the mornings. The hours
high with air conditioning, advanced science labs, full didnt seem to faze my father. He did the books and
industrial technology facilities (aka, shop classes), and worked on cars, my brother ran the shop and worked on
a multi-million dollar planetarium. The mix of science cars, and I pumped gas, did oil changes, and fixed flats.
and technology proved to be exactly what I needed to The whole summer was a blur.
focus my energy and imagination. Soon I began to excel My father held traditional values regarding customer
in science and shop. I loved chemistry, wood glue, blue service and Shell was very particular regarding Shell Serv-

Tom Wiandt
ice Station policies. Consequently, I It turned out that full time em- I finally knew which direction my
learned some valuable lessons that ployment combined with a heavy career would take. I read everything
summer. First, I learned about pleas- class load was too much for me. Af- I could find on temperature metrol-
ing the customer. Full service service ter a couple of years I dropped out ogy and soon took over the tem-
stations in those days checked oil, of the university and enlisted in the perature calibration responsibilities
tire pressure, washed windshields, USAF. My mechanical experience in the lab. I also went back to school
and did just about whatever else the combined with two years of uni- in pursuit of a physics degree.
customer needed, all while the gas versity physics thrust me into the After several years at Northrop I
was flowing. Second, I learned that USAF calibration program (PMEL). landed a position as a staff metrolo-
as workers, the performance stand- The lessons learned were revis- gist with Southern California Edi-
ards to which we must adhere are ited during my time in the USAF son. SCE built a state-of-the-art lab
essentially out of our hands Shell PMEL system. My first assignment
had their rules, Dad has his rules, was at Scott Air Force Base in Bel-
and the customers had their expec- leville, Illinois. The calibration lab
tations, my opinions meant little. at Scott was quite new and staffed
Third, and perhaps most impor- with civil service employees who
tantly in the context of this article, were mostly retired military cali-
I learned that there is no substitute bration technicians. The group of
for hands on training via a men- airman, of which I was a part, was
tor that really cares. My father and the first group of military person-
brother didnt train me because nel through the lab. Our mentors
they had a checklist to complete, considered our training a serious
they trained me because I was the mission. We were tirelessly tutored
one who had first contact with as we rotated through the various
the customer and the reputation disciplines, including hands-on and
of our family business rested on text based training.
that first interaction. As a 15 year As Ive advanced in my career Ive
old kid, I represented everything considered training as a responsibil-
my father and brother stood for. ity to be taken seriously. My first
They knew that and they took my civilian position was with North-
training very seriously. Under their rop Electronics in Hawthorne,
tutelage I became a certified auto California. Although I was new
mechanic at age 17. to the team, I was one of the few
I worked in the family business staff members with formal PMEL
for several years; relocating with my training. As a result, I was given
family from Detroit to Albuquerque, additional responsibilities which
NM. During this time, my life took included training and procedure
on the conventional direction of development, both of which took
working, university life, and con- on an importance at least equal to
tinued participation in the family my calibration responsibilities. Dur-
business. The lessons I learned sur- ing this time I learned about fre-
faced from time to time, and I found quency measurements, microwave
myself taking on training responsi- measurements, low level voltage
bilities in my jobs as well as tutoring measurements, and ground loops.
opportunities at the university. It It was at Northrop where I first
was during this time, I think, that I encountered a triple point of wa-
began to discover real satisfaction in ter cell and was trained by the lab
the training of others. I had no real manager, Brad Einstein (dont ask,
plan so I wasnt sure where my life but the answer is yes) what this de-
would take me. However, I felt that vice was all about. This may sound just a few minutes from my house
science and mechanics would play a silly but it was love at first sight. (read no So-Cal freeway commute)
part, and I would be involved in the The simplicity and precision of the and provided about 20 metrologists
teaching of others. TPW cell was beauty to my eyes and with the opportunity of a lifetime

PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
a stable position in an excellent company, opportunities for ing routine calibrations. All I can say is this was very fortunate
advancement and research, and one of the finest calibration for me. I was brought on board with the purpose of augmenting
laboratory facilities around at the time. I was placed in the pri- the team and building a world class lab to support the customers
mary temperature laboratory and was given about six months of Hart Scientific primary standards products. As Hart grew, the
to implement ITS-90. We purchased MathCAD, they sent me to management team observed that, in addition to our educated
NIST for training, and I visited with actual seasoned temperature customers, we were reaching customers that had little experience
metrologists more times than I can count. It was one of the most with temperature calibration. Soon, Hart management decided
fulfilling challenges of my career and we made the deadline to implement a comprehensive training program. Once again I
ITS-90 calibrations in January of 1990. I remained with SCE found myself in the position of being a trainer. Weve been do-
for six years. During this time I had the opportunity to work ing several classes per year for about 12 years. Our training ses-
in the primary temperature lab, perform some in house SPRT sions have expanded into Europe and Asia, as well as offerings at
calibrations and on-site temperature work for local companies NSCLI and MSC. Im very proud to be part of this program. Ive
as SCE branched in third party work, and work with some of met and worked with many talented scientists, metrologists, and
the youth in SCEs community projects. I left SCE in November technicians over the years and I hope Ive given as much as Ive
1995 to join Hart Scientific as the calibration lab manager. received from these encounters.
The move to Utah proved to be a bit of a culture shock, how- All in all my career thus far has been very fulfilling. I would
ever, the shock was tempered significantly by the opportunity to never have known that life would carry me in this direction. To
work with Professor Xumo Li and some of the most dedicated be sure I have put in my share of effort but I have to place much
professionals Ive ever worked with. Professor Li (now retired) of the credit on those who bothered to spend a little extra time
was the metrologist behind the primary standards development with me over the years and help keep the spark growing that
program at Hart Scientific. His development efforts prevented they saw in my eyes. I hope Ive done the same for others.
him from dedicating any significant time to expansion of the
calibration laboratory. Additionally, as a research scientist, he tom.wiandt@hartscientific.com
wasnt particularly interested in the day to day grind of provid-
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NCSLI Chemical Metrology Committee, FEATURE
properly use buffer solutions or other ion standard reference

Metrology materials.
Measurements in Chemistry
identifying and quantifying the uncertainties associated
with titration measurements.
developing and identifying calibration standards for chemi-
cal and biological detection systems.
establishing traceability and measurement uncertainties in
microbiology.
Our committee charter states that we: Serve as a forum for in-
formation exchange among calibration and testing laboratory
managers and staff on chemical metrology issues at both the
national and international level. Provide communication and
information for member organizations with regard to chemi-
cal measurement traceability, uncertainty analysis, standards
availability, documentary standards development and distri-
bution, accreditation needs and requirements, benchmarking
criteria and schedule, and interlaboratory comparisons.
Some of the goals and objectives that we have identified for
our committee are:
Establish communication for the chemical metrology com-
munity in the context of NCSLI and its members.
Chemical measurements Identify chemical metrology challenges and address them
for our life, our future through studies and participation in groups from the committee.
Identify and prioritize chemical measurement problems:
Traceability
TDocumentary Standards
World Metrology Day TMutual recognition and inter-comparability
20 May 2011 Provide detailed communications tools for issues related to
www.worldmetrologyday.org
chemical metrology.
Work to clarify accreditation issues as they pertain to the
With a twist on the official slogan, the official poster for chemical industry. Provide guidance to industry as to ap-
World Metrology Day (WMD), occurring this year on May plication and conformance to accreditation requirements as
20th, shows that WMD will highlight the International Year defined by ISO standards.
of Chemistry. The artwork chosen for the poster very likely Plan sessions for the annual NCSLI Workshop & Symposium
conjures up chemical measurements in the minds of most be- in the area of chemical metrology.
holders, but there are many additional types of measurements
that are of concern to those of us on the NCSL International This committee is working to engage the chemical metrology
Chemical Metrology Committee. community and address their concerns with chemical meas-
So what measurements are of interest to the members of the urements. We are looking to both the chemists and the metrol-
committee? Though we are presently a small group, our cur- ogists to identify and address the current challenges of chemi-
rent members have concerns with: cal metrology. As one of our members pointed out at our last
chemical reference materials: different types of reference ma- meeting, our biggest current challenge is to bridge the gap
terials and how to select the correct one for the task at hand; between metrologist and chemist: we need to communicate
how to properly use them as standards; how to determine chemistry to the metrologist and metrology to the chemist.
associated measurement uncertainties.
spectroscopic measurements: how to properly use them to If you have an interest in these topics or others that are related
determine chemical purity or for quantitation; how to best to chemical measurements, we would welcome you to join us
determine associated uncertainties and establish measure- in our next meeting at the 2011 NCSLI Workshop & Sympo-
ment traceability. sium in National Harbor, MD.
pH and other ion-specific measurements: how to calibrate michael.bishop@navy.mil
the meter and electrode (and how often to calibrate); how to

FEATURE
By Ivo Leito, University of Tartu
Figure1. Students in the laboratory class of analytical chemistry and metrology in chemistry.
Applied Measurement Science at the University of Tartu

Introduction These processes have significantly increased the societys
The importance of chemical analyses is constantly increasing. need for measurement and chemical analysis specialists. The
It has been estimated that measurements and chemical analy- changes have been rapid and up until now education systems
ses1 make up 4 to 6 % of the GDP in developed countries.2 in most countries have not been able to respond adequately to
During the recent years significant changes have been and the changing situation.
still are taking place in the measurement, testing and chemical In response to the growing need3 for educated specialists
analysis community. The importance of tests, measurements in the field of measurements the University of Tartu (UT)
and analyses is constantly increasing. More and more legal acts launched a new Masters program: starting autumn 2007 a de-
are issued that concern measurements and tests. Fully func- gree program in Applied Measurement Science (AMS) has been
tional quality system, accredited according to international available in English and open for international applicants.
standards is now a must in many activity areas (food, environ-
mental, etc) where the laboratories are active. Outline of the program
In addition to rigorous documentation the new require- The AMS program offers a combination of knowledge in physi-
ments also include serious requirements to the technical cal measurements, chemical analyses, metrology, quality sys-
quality of measurements and analyses. The most prominent tems and economic and legal aspects of measurements, thus
of these are the metrology-related requirements (traceability, bringing into one program these areas that are usually scat-
evaluation of uncertainty, validation, and participation in in- tered throughout different programs. The structure of the pro-
terlaboratory comparisons). Measurements are very important gram is presented in Scheme 1.
from a legal and economy point of view.

University of Tartu
Obligatory Module (45 ECTS)

Courses : Measuring and Instrumentation, Measurement Data Processing, Lab of Physical Measurements,
Practical Chemical Analysis Methods, Lab of Chemical Analysis Methods, Fundamentals of Metrology,
Metrology in Chemistry, Seminar in Measurement Science, Quality management
Elective Module (30 ECTS, courses can be chosen from the list)
Courses : Materials Characterization and Testing, Structural Analysis, Measurements in Biochemistry,
Measurements and the Law, Economic Aspects of Measurements, Signal Processing, Chemometrics,
Environment and Measurement, Electrochemical Measurement and Analysis Methods, Nanometrology,
Quality Systems etc.
Optional Subjects
(6 ECTS, any courses can be chosen university-wide)
Internship
(9 ECTS, internship placement in industry or analysis or calibration laboratories)
Masters thesis
(30 ECTS, reasearch project with a topic related to measurement science)
Scheme 1. Program Structure.
The program gives systematic knowledge of the physical, The program targets graduates with Bachelors degrees in
chemical and metrological basis of the more widespread meas- physics, chemistry, materials science and related fields, and
urement and analysis methods, factors affecting the results, practitioners in analysis and measurement laboratories, per-
methods of calculating measurement results, assessment of sonnel of accreditation, certification and inspection agencies,
their quality and documenting measurement results and qual- etc. The nominal duration of the program is two years.
ity systems. The program also gives practical skills necessary to Full information on the program (including admission de-
work with the many contemporary measurement and analysis tails, required documents, tuition fees, etc) can be found at the
methods, to tune them according to a given measurement or program website http://www.ut.ee/ams
analysis procedure, to optimize measurement procedures and Ivo.leito@ut.ee
to assess the adequacy of the measurement or analysis results
obtained. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, labo-
ratory classes (see Figure 1), independent work and practical
1 Chemical analysis (also called chemical measurement) is a measure-
placement in industry or measurement/analysis laboratory. ment by which the amount of substance of some compound(s) is de-
Strong emphasis is given to hands on work. The program termined in the object that is analyzed.
2 National and international needs relating to metrology: Internation-
is strongly symbiotic with the UT Testing Centre4 - a unit of al collaborations and the role of the BIPM A report prepared by the
UT that offers measurement, analysis and metrology services CIPM for the governments of the Member States of the Convention
of the Metre, CIPM, 1998.
based on the competence of UT scientists. Graduate students
3 P. Taylor, E. Bulska, S. Duta, N. Majcen, E. Vassileva. Accreditation and
get the experience of working with real issues of the field. The Quality Assurance, 2009, 14, 167-173
Testing Centre operates a quality system accredited to ISO 4 http://www.ut.ee/katsekoda/
5 A. Rodima, M. Vilbaste, O. Saks, E. Jakobson, E. Koort, V. Pihl, L.
170255 and performs calibrations, organizes interlaboratory Soovli, L. Jalukse, J. Traks, K. Virro, H. Annuk, K. Aruoja, A. Floren, E.
comparisons,6 etc. The Testing Centre is part of the Estonian Indermitte, M. Jrgenson, P. Kaleva, K. Kepler, and I. Leito. Accredita-
tion and Quality Assurance, 2005, 10, 369-372.
NMI in the fields of metrology in chemistry, air humidity and 6 http://www.ut.ee/katsekoda/ILC/
air flow velocity. 7 I. Leito, E. Koort, K. Herodes, I. Kaljurand. Accreditation and Quality
Assurance 2002, 7, 159-162.
The program is rooted in the historical metrology com-
8 http://www.trainmic.org/
petence available at UT. In particular, teaching metrology in 9 http://www.msc-euromaster.eu/
chemistry as a separate subject7 started at UT in 1999 being one
of the first of its kind. Currently metrology basics are firmly es-
tablished in the curricula of physics, chemistry and materials
science students. UT organizes training in different metrology
topics for practitioners in Estonia and participates in the Train-
MiC8 training program and the Euromaster (r) consortium of
masters programs Measurement Science in Chemistry.9

Metrology in
By Michael Lombardi, NIST, Contributing Editor

The Civil War
The publication of this issue of Metrologist coincides with the Springfield was 56 inches long, about one inch longer than
150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War in the the Enfield.
United States, perhaps the most significant event in American Both types of rifle-muskets fired bullets known as Mini
history. The wars first engagement took place at Fort Sumter balls, named after their inventor, the French army officer
in South Carolina on April 12, 1861. That battle occurred after Claude-Etienne Mini. These were cylindrical bullets with a
eleven states had left the Union to form the Confederate States conical point that was spin-stabilizing, resulting in a major im-
of America beginning in February 1861. When the war finally provement in firearm accuracy. The average Civil War soldier
ended in May 1865, many things had forever changed. The could hit a target from 200 to 300 yards away. The version of
Union was restored, the practice of slavery was abolished, Pres- Mini ball used in the Civil War typically had two or three
ident Lincoln had been assassinated, and a shockingly high grooves that gripped the rifling inside the barrel, creating the
number of 620,000 people had died, or about 2 % of the coun- spin effect. The grooves also captured grease, helping the bul-
trys population at the time. The Civil War left a large mark on let to slide down the barrel and removing gunpowder residue.
the American psyche and remains a topic of great interest to Bullets and bullet manufacturing played a huge role during
this day. It fact, there is so much interest in the Civil War that the war. Mini balls were made from soft lead, a metal that
an estimated 60,000 books have been written about it, or more melted much more easily than other substances available to
than one book per day since the last shot was fired. the soldiers and factories. The lead itself came from bullets,
The massive amount of Civil War literature covers every
conceivable topic, but not surprisingly, most of it focuses on
battles and generals. In honor of the wars 150th anniversary,
and in keeping with the theme of this column, lets briefly ex-
plore metrology in the Civil War, beginning with a look at the
guns and bullets used by soldiers.
Most of the guns used during the Civil War were rifle-mus-
kets. The name is confusing, because rifles were technically
different than muskets. Muskets had barrels with smooth in-
terior surfaces, and typically fired round ball ammunition.
Rifles had similar firing mechanisms, but fired bullets. They
had barrels with grooves cut into their interior walls, and
were designed so the bullets would spin as they left the bar-
rel. Muskets were the primary weapon in earlier wars fought
on American soil, such as the American Revolution and the
War of 1812, and were still fairly common at the beginning of
the Civil War. However, they quickly became obsolete because
they were only accurate for distances of less than 100 yards,
compared to several hundred yards or more for a rifle.
Originally, the term rifle-musket referred to muskets that
had been converted to rifles by grooving the inside of their
barrel. However, most of the guns used during the Civil War
were actually manufactured as rifles. They were called rifle- Soldiers with rifle-muskets.
muskets because they were the same length as the muskets from ingots, or from scrap metal, and was melted in large iron
they replaced. As was the case with muskets, the rifles were vats that could withstand more heat than the lead. The mol-
made long enough so that the second rank of soldiers could ten lead was poured into molds, which were made from iron,
project their muzzles past the faces of the men in front of stone or ceramic pieces. In ammunition factories, the molds
them. Their length was also thought to be important in the were often dunked into vats of water to speed the cooling proc-
event of a bayonet fight. ess. Once the lead had cooled, the molds were unclamped
The two most common rifle-muskets were the Springfield and the bullets popped out. A factory worker could produce
Model 1861, made by the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts about 3,000 bullets in one hour. That sounds like a lot, but
and later by about 20 other American contracting firms, and the demand was high. Some historians estimate that more
the Enfield Pattern 1853 that was imported from England. than 7,000,000 bullets were fired during the three day battle of
More than one million Springfields and well over 500,000 En- Gettysburg alone by the estimated 160,000 soldiers who were
fields were in use during the war, with most of the Enfields involved in the engagement.
used by the Confederate army. The Enfield and Springfield ri- The Springfield rifle-muskets fired .58 caliber Mini balls.
fle-muskets were about the same size. The Enfield weighed 9.5 Caliber is a measurement unit that refers to the inside diameter
pounds, about half a pound more than the Springfield. The of the gun barrel (also known as the bore), which in this case

Metrology in
reduced to foraging for their own food. Today, the average American man weighs
The Union Army had a Subsistence Depart- about 190 pounds. Most sources place the
ment that advertised specifications for the average weight of a Civil War soldier as be-
various types of food that made up the Un- tween 135 and 145 pounds, or almost 30
ion ration. Private companies bid on the % less.
ration contracts, and the contractors who The Civil War also had a large impact on
received the bids would prepare and pack measurements made by the garment indus-
the food, and deliver it to a city where it try by introducing the concept of clothes
was inspected. The Quartermaster depart- made to standard sizes. Before the war
ment of the army then took charge of the nearly all clothing was either tailor made or
food and distributed it through the supply homemade to fit a specific individual. The
chain to the soldiers. few exceptions were usually jackets, coats,
Soldiers were fed more in camp than or undergarments, but even those were
they were during battle campaigns, but the usually made to order. During the Civil
basic ration amounts were the same. The War, however, making uniforms to order
meat ration typically consisted of either 12 simply wasnt practical. Both armies need-
ounces of pork or bacon, or 20 ounces of ed huge quantities of uniforms it is esti-
salted or fresh beef. In addition, soldiers mated that about 3.5 millions soldiers took
would get bread, which usually consisted part in the war - and they needed them in
of about 12 to 16 ounces of the infamous a hurry. The South lacked a large industrial
hardtack, a simple type of cracker or bis- base and relied primarily on home manu-
cuit, made from flour, water, and some- facture for uniforms (which led to clothing
times salt. Hardtack was cheap to make shortages throughout the war for the Con-
and would last a long time, so it was federate army), but the North had a well
used for basic sustenance in place of developed textile industry.
more perishable foods. Soldiers also When the government began to is-
received a small coffee ration. While sue contracts to factories for mass pro-
in camp, the basic rations were sup- duced uniforms, the garment makers
plemented with various types of veg- sent tailors to the armies to measure the
was 0.58 inches. Caliber also refers to the etables, rice, potatoes, and sugar. It men. They found that certain measure-
outside diameter of the bullets fired by the is unknown how accurately rations were ments, of arm length, chest size, shoul-
gun, because the bullet should only be measured, but historians seem to agree that der width, waist size, and inseam length,
slightly smaller than the diameter of the the food was carefully divided up and dis- would repeat themselves with regularity.
barrel to ensure a good seal and good per- tributed equally amongst the soldiers. After the war, these military measure-
formance. The Enfield rifle-muskets offi- In spite of the small rations and a diet ments were used to cre-
cially used a slightly smaller .577 caliber that nutritionists would cringe ate the first commercial
bullet (0.003 in smaller), but the ammuni- at today, the workload was sizing scales for men.
tion was interchangeable between the two heavy and the marches were Clothing manufacturers
weapons. The manufacturing tolerances long. Some generals, like the saw that standardized
were far from ideal, and in spite of the offi- famed Confederate Stonewall sizes had significantly
cial designation of .58 for the Springfield, Jackson, were known for push- reduced the manufac-
ammo was issued to Union troops in cases ing soldiers to the limits of their turing cost of mens
designated as .577 or .57 caliber, so it was endurance. Soldiers had to carry clothing. Rather than
known to be usable in both the Springfield their weapons and heavy packs k make one item for one
Hardtac
and Enfield. The actual diameter ranged of provisions and wear heavy uni- man, they could now mass
from 0.565 in to 0.585 in, with most run- forms, and some one-day marches covered produce a shirt or a pair of pants at a
ning near 0.575 in, showing a distribution more than 25 miles. In the Valley cam- given size that would fit a large group
of about 0.01 in from the mean. paign of 1862, Stonewalls army of some of men. This led to the concept of dis-
Another measurement area during the 17,000 men covered 646 miles (1040 km) count clothing purchased off the rack.
Civil War involved rations. Both armies in 48 days. The marches led to engage- Although womens clothing continued
struggled to keep their soldiers fed, and ments with the enemy, so at the end of a to be custom made until the 1920s, the
at times there were great variation in the march, there was usually no rest, but in- standardized sizing first practiced during
amount of rations that a soldier wouldr- stead a grueling, deadly battle. Not surpris- the Civil War forever changed the gar-
receive. In extreme cases, soldiers were ingly, the average soldier didnt weigh a lot. ment industry.

The Civil War
We have only touched on a few small This is an original leaf from the August 31, 1861 edition of Harper's Weekly. It shows a picture of Union
topics here. Because there is so much to Uniforms in the Civil War. The leaf is captioned "Uniforms of the United States Volunteers and State Militia."
learn about the war, and because it had

such a large impact on the way that things
are now in the United States, I highly rec-
ommend reading a book about the Civil LaboratoriesTry IAS!
+
War in recognition of its 150th anniversary.
As I noted at the beginning of this col- Experience Accreditation Service Plus
umn, there are many thousands of titles
to choose from. You might also consider Quick scheduling and rapid assessments
visiting some Civil War battle sites or mu- On demand responsiveness
seums while attending this years confer-
ence in National Harbor, Maryland.
True affordability
NCSLI happened to be formed in 1961, Global recognition by ILAC
or 100 years after the start of the Civil War. Proof of compliance with
In the next issue of Metrologist well pay ISO/IEC 17025
tribute to the golden anniversary of NC-
SLI, by discussing the use and meaning of
gold in the world of metrology.
IAS Accreditation Service Plus +
michael.lombardi@nist.gov www.iasonline.org/met | 866-427-4422 10-03312
www.ncsli.org 10-03312_Metrologis_Mag_Ad_FINAL.indd 1 April 2011 : Metrologist 35 12:42:49 PM

5/10/2010
feature
FEATURE
ByDennis
By DennisW.
W.Dubro,
Dubro PhD
Whats Normal
About the Normal Probability Function?
Abstract: will share some of the fruits of this labor to elucidate some of
Most metrologists have a mixed background in statistics. It is the mysterious aspects of the Normal function.
often learned on the fly and we constantly refer to textbooks We have all heard a number of characteristics of the Normal
for formulae and tables. This is usually adequate for applying function. We know that it is the limiting case of the Binomial
formulae, but it does not give us much satisfaction in terms distribution (and most other distributions) when the number
of understanding. Statistics has a special characteristic that of coin flips, samples, degrees of freedom or other significant
makes it easy to reference or memorize common knowledge, parameter approaches a large number. A brief search on the
but it is significantly harder to find out just a little bit more Internet [2, 3, 4] and other common sources shows us that
or why. The reason is that statistics is, in many ways, a field the French mathematician, Abraham de Moivre, appears to
onto itself. Although it utilizes common ideas from calculus have first discovered the Normal distribution. He supported
and algebra that most engineers and scientists study, it requires himself doing calculations and consulting in the actuarial,
many other concepts as well. The answers are in the advanced financial and gambling fields where people wanted to know
textbooks and there are very few intermediate level textbooks probabilities. He frequently used the Binomial distribution
where we can look for a little more understanding. which can be quite cumbersome to calculate for a large
The author is a metrologist who has decided to risk facing the number of samples, and discovered the Normal distribution in
higher math to obtain a better appreciation for the Normal, or 1733. The Normal distribution was an adequate substitute for
Gaussian, probability density distribution. He touches briefly the Binomial distribution and was much easier to calculate.
upon some historical notes, creates a graphical interpretation Gauss did significant work with the Normal distribution,
for the combination of errors and sketches out one derivation hence the reason it is also called the Gaussian distribution.
for the Normal distribution. He used it working with the method of least squares, the
method of maximum likelihood and the analysis of errors
All metrologists, sooner or later, come to ask deeper questions observed in astronomical work. Laplace also worked with
about the statistics that we use. Few of us are trained the Normal distribution and made significant contributions.
statisticians. Most of us have taken a basic stats class, He first published the value of its integral which allows for
and we have all been to the library or bookstore to look for normalization of the function, and he published the Central
references. Limit Theorem. The Central Limit Theorem states that the
There are many cases where a cookbook/textbook example limiting distribution of an infinite sum of independent random
satisfies our need for a statistical formula. But statistics, as variables is the Normal distribution. An illustrated example of
a discipline, becomes complicated and abstract very quickly, the combination of two random variables is the main focus of
which is why there are very few intermediate level books for this paper. The classic random walk problem is governed by a
someone who just wants to find out a little bit more without Normal distribution, and Maxwell discovered that the law also
getting into the very heavy mathematical functions. describes the distribution of velocities in gases.
Many metrologists would agree that the Normal probability Most people have been introduced to the Binomial
distribution function, which is the basic bread and butter distribution as an example of the probability in coin flipping
of our work, does not seem to be very normal at all. It is tests. This author looked for a simple way to show that the
not commonly understood nor is it simple. It is in fact a limit of the Binomial distribution is the Normal distribution
transcendental mathematical function, which is not easily as the number of coin flips becomes large. He has not found
dealt with in terms of the usual calculus and math courses a simple way, but the interesting thing is to understand how
that most scientists and engineers take in their curriculum. the limit is carried out. The Binomial distribution has factorials
Statistics is very much a field unto its own. and the power function in its description. For example, the
This paper is a continuation of a journey experimenting probability, B(n, N, p), of the Binomial distribution for finding n
with do it yourself statistics that the author began some heads in a series of N coin flips, where p(=1/2) is the probability
years ago. [1] The author is an experienced metrologist of landing a head, is
who has endeavored to reach an intermediate level of
N!
understanding in statistics, confident that he should be able B(n, N , p ) = p n (1 p )( N n ) .
to handle the heavy integrals and higher math. This paper n!* ( N n )!
2 Metrologist
36 Metrologist: :April
April2011
2011 www.ncsli.org
www.ncsli.org
Normal Probability Function
To examine the limit of this function as N approaches infinity, variable. The process by which random variables combine
we use Sterlings approximation for large factorials, given below. is complicated enough that it is not covered in any basic
It substitutes for the factorial, an exponential function and a statistics books. This is going to be addressed in this paper.
power function. Suppose we are measuring the length of a metal bar. There
are several sources of error, but for this illustration, we will
Sterlings approximation is n! 2n e n nn . only consider two -- one due to the temperature and the
other due to random influences.
Once the substitution is made, the rest is (a lot of) algebra. For In any one measurement xmeasure, we will obtain a value
a complete description, the reader may refer to reference [5]. consisting of the true value plus any errors existing in the
To review, the formula for the Normal distribution is measurement process:
1 xmeasure = xtrue + xerror .
f (x) = * e( ( x ) / 2 ) .
2
2
The total error for any one measurement is a sum of the
Most metrologists know that this is the full-blown function errors from each contribution as shown below:
adaptable to any mean, , and standard deviation, . If you xerror = errtemp + errrandom .
have a function f(x), you can shift that function a distance, ,
to the right with the simple substitution f(x ). Furthermore, For simplicity in this demonstration, we will assume that
you can compress a function by a factor, , around the origin by the error distribution for each error will consist of five values;
a substitution of the form f(x/). The strange numbers in front 0, +1, +2, -1, or -2, , with a 20 % chance of occurrence for each
include the square root, and , again, but these are simply value. This is exactly the model we would have using a pair
constants which scale the function to a new value, which we all of five-sided dice, if such dice existed and we can visualize
know adjusts the function so that the integral of the probability the process of tossing such dice to model the measurement
density function will equal 1. With these substitutions, in process. The reason for using a model of five values, is that
the appropriate order, the Normal function can be reduced to we will have a symmetric distribution centered on zero,
something much simpler, yet still a transcendental function with equally spaced errors, one of which includes zero. For
an empirical understanding of the process, the reader can
fsimplified ( x ) = e x
2
/2
. play with two or three real dice, calculate the probabilities
These simplifications, in themselves, make the function a little of the various results of a toss, and come to appreciate the
easier to swallow, yet there is still the question of why this function complexity involved when you can achieve one particular
is the best function for dealing with error. Many processes in result through a number of different pathways.
statistics involve integration. These processes are complicated by This probability distribution described above is a discrete,
the presence of a transcendental function. For the sake of getting Uniform distribution. When two random variables are
hands-on practice with distribution functions, we can play with added, the resulting probability distribution is composed by
a number of simpler functions such as the Uniform, Trapezoidal, combining each of the possible outcomes of the first variable
Triangular, Parabolic and Cosine distributions [6]. The author has with each of the other possible outcomes of the second
played with a variety of rational functions (polynomials or ratios variable, adjusted for their probability. For the case in question,
of polynomials), based upon simple assumptions, trying to rig there are three ways we can end up with an error of -2, which
some kind of function which might substitute as a simplified error are shown in Table 1 below.
probability distribution function. No function of polynomials
Outcome of Die 1 Outcome of Die 2 Combined Error
has the degree of curvature required to meet the requirements
of a distribution function which is nicely behaved and is -2 0 -2
normalized to 1. After a certain amount of frustration, it is easy -1 -1 -2
to convince yourself that a function with exponential properties 0 -2 -2
is likely to be a good candidate.
One of the reasons why the Normal distribution is complex Table 1. Possible die outcomes for an error of -2. Each outcome
is the complex way that errors combine. An error is a random has a probability of 1/25.
www.ncsli.org
www.ncsli.org April2011
April 2011: Metrologist
: Metrologist373
FeaTure
FEATURE
The reason why the addition of errors (random variables) is The process involves, for every value of t, taking the two
complex is because we need to trace back through each of the functions f(t) and g(t), inverting g(t) from right to left, shifting
possible ways of obtaining the desired outcome. It is a little, the inverted g(t) by t, and then integrating the product
shall we say, convoluted? The pun is intended. In fact it is of the two functions. This convolution of two discrete,
convoluted, and the mathematical process of doing that is uniform distributions is illustrated in Table 2 and further
called convolution. Here it is necessary to touch on the heavy below in Figure 1. The example illustrates the convolution
mathematics, but we will break it down into simpler pieces. of two identical discrete Uniform distributions, so
For the record, the mathematical definition of convolution, g(t) = f(t). The caption to the table and the figure explains the
f*g, of two functions f(t) and g(t), is given as process depicted.
+ The process is illustrated for continuous uniform error
[ f * g ](t ) = f () * g(t ) d . distributions in Figure 2 where the caption explains
the process.
Sum of
Row No. Description of Row
Row
1 f() 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.0
2 g() = f() 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.0
3 x-axis for g() and f() -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Inverted and displaced
4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.0
g : g(-2-)
5 Inverted x-axis for g 2 1 0-1 -2
Multiplication and sum of
6 matching f and g for the 0.04 0.04 0.04 .12
case of t = -2 (boldfaced)
7 Convolution .04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.04 1.0
8 x-axis for the convolution -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Figure 1
Figure 1 -- Combination of two errors by
Combination ofconvolution
two errors by convolution
Table 2 and Figure 1. An illustration of the convolution
(the mathematical process of adding two random variables)
-2 -1 0 1 2 for an error value of -0.2. The function f(x) is shown in
+ + Row 1 of the Table with respect to its x-axis in Row 3.
It is represented as the top discrete distribution in the
2 1 0 -1 -2
Figure, below. The function is reproduced in Row 2 of
the Table as g(x). In order to evaluate the convolution at
x = -0.2, g(x) must be inverted (right to left) and shifted to
-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 -0.2 [ g(-2-) ]. This is represented in Row 4 of the Table
with respect to its inverted x-axis in Row 5. This is also
represented as the middle distribution in the Figure. Once aligned as such, the convolution is carried out by multiplying the
aligned values of f() and g(-2-) and summing them together for the result [0.2*0.2 + 0.2*0.2 + 0.2*0.2 = 0.12]. This is indicated
in the Table by boldfaced values and in the Figure with dashed lines and " + " signs.
4
38Metrologist
Metrologist: April
: April2011
2011 www.ncsli.org
Now that we have seen an illustration of how errors sketched out here. For the brave or curious, some of the fuller
combine, the complexity of the Normal distribution can be details deriving the form of the function will be shown in the
better appreciated. The clinching argument which serves to Appendix. And the full derivation including the evaluation of
justify a function as complicated as the Normal distribution is the constants as derived by Teague can be referenced at [7]. It
that the convolution of two Normal distributions is a Normal starts with a simple two-dimensional model of throwing darts
distribution! So the convolution process which models the at a dartboard and three simple assumptions:
accumulation of random errors is conducive to the production the errors do not depend on the orientation of the
of a Normal distribution. coordinate system.
Having accomplished as much as we have, it would still be errors in perpendicular directions are independent. This
fascinating to see a simple derivation of the Normal curve. means that being too high doesnt alter the probability of
It is still not that simple, but it only involves calculus and being off to the right.
geometry. For the sake of brevity, the derivation will only be large errors are less likely than small errors.
Figure 2 -- Addition of errors by convolution Uniform distribution

x f(x)
x < -.5 0
-.5 <= x <= .5 1
Uniform Error
.5 < x 0
Convolving form Triangular distribution after 1st convolution
0
1st Convolution
2nd Convolution
x <= -1
-1 <= x <= 0 1+ x
0 <= x <= 1 1- x
1 <= x 0
Piece-wise 2nd order polynomial distribution
after 2nd convolution
Figure 2 . We start with a Uniform distribution at the top x <= -1.5 0
of the Figure. The convolution is represented by showing
-1.5 <= x <= -0.5 (1.5+x)^2/2
a dashed image of the Uniform distribution with arrows
indicating its movement across the original distribution. -0.5 <= x <= 0.5 -x^2 +3/4
The convolution is easily calculated with ordinary calculus 0.5 <= x <= 1.5 (1.5-x)^2/2
1.5 <= x 0
in a piece-wise fashion. The convolution of two Uniform
distributions is the Triangular distribution shown in the
middle of the figure. If this is convolved again with a
Uniform distribution, the result is a piece-wise 2nd-
Table 3. Results of convolutions of a Uniform distribu-
tion. The Uniform distribution is shown first. After one
order (parabolic polynomial) distribution shown at the
convolution, the Triangular distribution results. And when
bottom of the Figure, which is already beginning to look
that is convolved with the Uniform distribution again, the
like a Normal bell curve. The functions are described
result is a piece-wise 2nd-order polynomial function.
in Table 3, below. The two convolutions represent the
type of situation we would have when combining three
sources of error.
www.ncsli.org
: Metrologist395
FEatURE
The probability of hitting an area like the hatched area in Figure 3 For those who are undeterred by mathematics
is p(x)*dx*p(y)*dy. The probability density p() is the same for x and y. and who have a significant budget for purchasing
The two functions are independent of each other. The geometry can be books, there is a 400 + page text entitled Handbook
converted to a radial coordinates, r and , and a probability function, of the Normal Distribution that is available on the
g(r) = p(x)*p(y) can be assigned. Since the x and y directions are market. [8]
independent, the function g(r) has no dependence on . The derivative
of g(r) with respect to can be set to zero, and with some gymnastics CONCLUSION
converting from x and y to r and , the differential equations regarding In addressing the question What's Normal about the
p'(x) and p'(y) can be separated, which yields the form of solution of Normal Probability Function?, we have reviewed
C * x2
briefly some of the history of the Normal distribution
p( x ) = A * e 2
. to get a feel for its origins.
We might expect a normal error probability
density curve to have the following characteristics: 1)
large errors are less likely than small errors; and 2) the
Figure 3
errors should be symmetric. This means that we might
expect a bell shape to the curve. We have examined
in a simplified graphical way the combination of
independent random errors from different sources
and which is modeled by the mathematical process of
y
convolution. Convolution tends to produce functions

of the form of the Normal distribution.
Finally at the expense of some mathematical rigor,
x
we have seen a derivation of the form of the Normal
distribution.
Figure 3. Illustration of a dartboard target and From this paper we conclude that the Normal
the probability of hitting a certain area. distribution follows from some fairly basic conceptual
ideas, but which in their execution, involve complex
mathematical processes.
REFERENCES
[1] Dubro, D.W., Do it Yourself Statistics,
Proceedings of the Measurement Science
Conference, January 2004.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution
[3] http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
NormalDistribution.html
[4] http://www.answers.com/topic/
normal-distribution
[5] Teague, Dan, Binomial to Normal
Derivation.doc, http://www.ncssm.edu/
courses/math/Stat_Inst/Stats2007/Stat%20
and%20Calc/Binomial%20to%20Normal%20
Derivation.DOC, The North Carolina
School of Science and Mathematics
[6] Evans, Hastings and Peacock, Statistical
Distributions, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000
6 Metrologist
40 Metrologist: :April
April2011
2011 www.ncsli.org
www.ncsli.org
[7] Teague, Dan, https://castatistics.wikispaces. differentiating both sides with respect to , we have
com/file/view/normal+der..pdf, The North dp( y ) dp( x )
0 = p( x ) + p( y )
Carolina School of Science and Mathematics d d
[8] Patel Jagdish K. and Campbell B. Read, Handbook
since g is independent of orientation, and therefore, . Since x = r
of the Normal Distribution, CRC Press, 1996.
cos () and y = r sin (), we can write the derivatives as
APPENDIX 0 = p( x ) p '( y ) ( r * cos( )) + p( y ) p '( x ) ( r * sin( ))

This derivation of the Normal distribu tion function was and with further substitution and cleaning up we have
posted by Dan Teague. [7] It starts with a simple two-
dimensional model of throwing darts at a dartboard and three 0 = p( x ) p '( y ) x p( y ) p '( x ) y ,
simple assumptions which can be solved by separating the variables
the errors do not depend on the orientation
p '( x ) p '( y)
of the coordinate system. = = C , a constant.
errors in perpendicular directions are independent. p( x ) x p( y ) y
This means that being too high doesnt alter p '( x )
Solving the equation for x, we find = Cx , and
the probability of being off to the right. p( x )
Cx 2
large errors are less likely than small errors. ln [ p( x )] = + a , with a being a constant, and
2
Cx 2
The probability of a dart falling in the hatched area of the figure finally, p( x ) = Ae 2 , A being another constant. Having derived
(see figure 3 above) is p( x )x * p( y )y = g(r )x y . Since x and the form of the function, the evaluation of the constants A and
y are independent, any area a distance r from the origin with C requires some additional algebra and calculus, which will not
area xy has the same probability, so we can say that be shown for the sake of brevity. As mentioned previously, the
g(r ) = p( x ) * p( y ) interested reader can consult reference [7].
dwdubro@comcast.net
www.ncsli.org
: Metrologist417
Committee NEWS
132 Measurement Comparison Program, By Mike Cadenhead
Review of RP-15, Recommended Practice then 2011 Member RPs links. A listing of all RPs will then
for Interlaboratory Comparisons be provided from which they can be viewed on screen or
The Measurement Comparison Program downloaded. Please keep in mind the copyright restrictions
Committee 132, has begun the review of for NCSLI publications during your review.
RP-15 with the goal of ensuring it is up to In addition to this article, I will initiate a discussion thread
date and that it aligns well with the rela- at LinkedIn.com under the NCSL International group.
tively new ISO 17043 General Requirements Provide any comments or suggestions to Mike Cadenhead
for Proficiency Testing. at mike.cadenhead@afmetcal.af.mil or by adding your com-
The Working Group solicits your comments, suggested im- ments to the discussion thread at LinkedIn.com
provements, etc. NCSLI Member Delegates can download the
RP-15 from NCSLI.org. Once logged in, the member delegate mike.cadenhead@afmetcal.af.mil
can select Member Services, then Active Member Pubs,
3379 Metrologist Jan 11_3379 Metrologist Jan 11 1/5/11 12:50 PM Page 1
Two Premier Calibration

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North America: Chicago Cleveland Dallas/Ft. Worth Detroit Houston

Europe: Belgium Czech Republic Denmark France Germany Holland Italy Romania Spain Sweden United Kingdom

Regional NEWS
1311 Twin Cities, By Harry C. Spinks
1311 Twin Cities Meeting.
NCSLI Section 1311 met in Shoreview, Tom Johnson from Spinnaker Process Instruments, pre-
MN at the Shoreview Community Center. sented Simplified Remote Process Monitoring and Data
The full day event had five speakers and Logging. DCS (Distributed Control Systems) and PLC (Program-
93 attendees. The meeting was spon- mable Logic Controller) networks have been relied on for dec-
sored by Precision Repair and Calibration, ades to remotely manage industrial processes and to automate
www.precisionmn.com. They have been op- buildings. A new technology allows the average user to setup
erating in the Twin Cities for over 25 years. a remote monitoring system that will log data and send email
Jamie Durand, Jane McDougall, Jay alerts using the buildings existing local area network such as the
Erickson and others from Precision provided the host presenta- Maverick Internet Appliance.
tion. Precision provides numerous calibration and repair serv- Terry Conder from 3M and the NCSLI Conference VP, pro-
ices to the Twin Cities and beyond. They also have an extensive vided an update from the NCSLI Board of Directors. Terry also
training and equipment sales capability. We are very grateful to provided us with up-to-date information on the next NCSLI
the folks at Precision for providing the venue, breakfast, and conference and other activities within the NCSLI.
afternoon treats! Eric Becker from Faro Technologies, presented Contact &
After the host presentation we had a round of Trivia by Kevin Non-Contact Measurement Devices: Past, Present & Future.
Rust, past section coordinator. Many of the meeting evaluations A review of the brief history of non-contact measurement de-
rave about his Trivia! He is also the photographer for our events. vices, the current state of these devices as well as where the tech-
Thank you Kevin! nology is headed. Eric also provided a live demonstration of the
Dilip Shah from E=mc3 Solutions, presented Developing an Faro Arm which combines contact and non-contact measure-
Electrical Measurement Uncertaintly. Dilip has presented ment capabilities.
many times at our section meetings and he always has a great Gary Hobart from Hexagon Metrology, presented Selecting
presentation. And he loves to drive all the way from Ohio the Tool for the Job: A Multi-Sensor Window of Opportunity.
to the Twin Cities! Dilips presentation focused on develop- Gary was the last speaker of the day, although he arrived early
ing an uncertainty budget for electrical measurements. in case one of the speakers who was flying in would be late.
Accrediting bodies can specify minimum contributors to Many thanks Gary! Garys presentation was about multi-sensor
Measurement Uncertainty (MU) budgets. A2LA listed some of measurement technology. Gary presented the pros and cons of
the requirements for electrical MU budgets in their June 2009 multiple types of sensors, in particular were vision, touch, laser,
newsletter. This presentation demonstrated development of a white light sensor , and optical micro-touch.
DC Voltage Measurement Uncertainty for a Fluke 5520AMulti The final event of the day is the Door Prize Finale! We have
Function Calibrator using those recommendations. Ian Cies- dozens of door prizes to give away each meeting and this one
niewski from Mettler Toledo Inc., presented Good Weighing was no different. The grand prize was a two or three hour
Practices and Balance Stewardship. webinar provided by Paul Hanssen, owner and president of
Ian also traveled to the Twin Cities this morning, braving a WorkPlace Training.
snow storm to get here. Ian has presented with us before, and A huge thank you to our speakers and to the Section Steering
we always learn something new about balances and weighing. Committee. They are the main reason our events are so success-
Ian presented on Good Weighing Practices and Weighing ful and so well attended.
Uncertainty. Approximately 95 % of analytical balance weigh-
ing inaccuracies are no fault of the balance, but can be attrib- harry.spinks@bsci.com
uted to a variety of influences within the control of the user or
his/her organization.

Regional NEWS
1430 Northwestern US Region, Tony Reed
1430 Northwestern US Region Meeting.
According to at- We decided to break from the tradi- We opened the meeting with Derek
tendees, the North- tional region meeting and bring not Porter NCSLI Past President, giving the
west semiannual just metrology people together but group a breakdown on recent BOD activ-
meeting held March customers of metrology products and ities. After a quick explanation of how
10th was a success. services as well. Inviting our customers the group would be divided into eight
Over 60 attendees, to these region meetings is a way for us groups, one group for each demo, we di-
presenters and ven- in the Northwest to bring our custom- vided everyone into groups and began
dors were present at ers a better understanding of metrology the demonstrations. Each demonstra-
the Fluke Corporation in Everett Wash- processes and practices and increase the tion lasted 25 minutes with five minutes
ington. Special thanks to Jack Somppi understanding of how our customers for Q&A and rotation to the next demo.
and the Fluke Corporation for hosting use those products and services. During
this meeting. This meeting was adver- this meeting we utilized several hands- anthony.p.reed@boeing.com
tised as A Day of Measurement Lab on displays presented by subject mat-
Learning a hands-on workshop for ter experts.
Lab & Test personnel will demonstrate
many of the critical variables that can
negatively impact product develop-
ment, production and testing.
Many measurements are made either
in the field or outside the controlled
calibration lab environment. Variables
can potentially arise that create false
acceptance, false rejection situations
which can lead to unnecessary rework
or the passing of faulty product. This
workshop provided an insightful look
at some of the factors hidden in a meas-
urement loop that produce headaches,
heartbreaks and cost overruns. This
event was suggested for: lab and test en-
gineers & technicians, trainers, lab su-
pervisors, inspectors, technical writers
and quality professionals.

International NEWS
Letterfrom
By Prof. Horst Czichos, BHT Berlin, University of Applied Sciences, Contributing Editor
EUROPE
Springer Handbook of Metrology and Testing
Metrology and testing have the task of quantitatively and qual- incorporated into practical technology, their most important
itatively characterizing objects of science and technology, as characteristics must be known well enough to justify large re-
illustrated in this overview diagram. search and development costs. The useful properties of mate-
rials are generally responses to external fields or loads under
specific conditions. The stimulus field and the environmental
conditions must be completely specified in order to develop
a reproducible response, and to obtain reliable characteristics
and data. Standard test and calibration methods describe these
conditions. The Springer Handbook of Materials Measurement
Methods was developed in an international interdisciplinary
effort with editors from Europe, US, and Japan to assist sci-
entists and engineers in both industry and academia in this
task. In this second edition of the handbook, the editors have
responded to readers requests for a more complete treatment
This Letter introduces a new reference work entitled Springer of the internationally recognized formal metrology system and
Handbook of Metrology and Testing. This Springer Handbook the title of the book has been changed accordingly.
presents the principles of Metrology the science of measure-
ment and the methods and techniques of Testing deter- Contents of the Handbook
mining the characteristics of a given product as they apply The book integrates knowledge from basic sciences and engi-
to chemical and microstructural analysis, and to the measure- neering disciplines, compiled by experts from internationally
ment and testing of materials properties and performance, known metrology and testing institutions, and academia, as
including modeling and simulation. In the following a brief well as from industry, and conformity-assessment and accredi-
overview on the background of the handbook, its contents and tation bodies. The Handbook is organized in five parts.
some important features are given.
Part A Fundamentals of Metrology and Testing describes
Background the basic elements of metrology, the system which allows
The ability to measure and to compare measurements between measurements made in different laboratories to be confidently
laboratories is one of the cornerstones of the scientific meth- compared worldwide. The process of making reliable measure-
od. Globalization of research, development and manufacture ments is analyzed along with quality issues of the measure-
has directed increased attention to international standards of ment and testing procedures.
measurement. These demands are especially intense in ma- 1. Introduction to Metrology and Testing
terials science and technology, where many characterization 2. Metrology Principles and Organization
methods are needed during the various stages of materials 3. Quality in Measurement and Testing
and product cycles. In order for new materials to be used and

International NEWS
ministic and probabilistic methods for the characterization of

safety and reliability are outlined.
12. Corrosion
13. Friction and Wear
14. Biogenic Impact
15. Environmental Interactions
16. Nondestructive Testing and Reliability Evaluation
Part E Modeling and Simulation Methods presents impor-

tant modeling and simulation methods that underline meas-
urement procedures and that rely on mathematical models to
interpret complex experiments or to estimate properties hat
cannot be measured directly.
17. Molecular Dynamics Simulation
18. Continuum Constitutive Modeling
19. Finite Element and Finite Difference Methods
20. The CALPHAD Method
21. Phase Field Approach
22. Monte Carlo Simulation.
A special feature of the Handbook is the detailed treatment of

Quality of Measurement and Testing (Chap. 3) in:
Sampling
Part B Chemical and Microstructural Analysis presents
Traceability of Measurement and Testing
methods for the analysis of material composition and struc-
Statistical Evaluation of Results
ture. Structure here includes both atomic and molecular ar-
Uncertainty and Accuracy of Measurement and Testing
rangements and also microstructure and defect structures over
Validation
larger scales.
Inter-Laboratory Comparisons and Proficiency Testing
4. Analytical Chemistry
Reference Materials
5. Nanoscopic Architecture and Microstructure
Reference Procedures
6. Surface and Interface Characterization
Laboratory Accreditation and Peer Assessment
International Standards and Global Trade
Part C Materials Properties Measurement evaluates the
Human Aspects in a Laboratory
methods of measuring the fundamental properties of mate-
rials. In addition to all aspects of mechanical properties, the
Concluding Remark
methods of characterizing the thermal, electrical, magnetic
The principal motivation for this Handbook stems from the
and optical properties of materials important to their practical
increasing demands of technology for metrology and testing
applications are described.
results that can be used globally. Measurements within a local
7. Mechanical Properties
laboratory or manufacturing facility must be able to be repro-
8. Thermal Properties
duced accurately anywhere in the world. This Handbook is a
9. Electrical Properties
comprehensive treatise of metrology, the science of measure-
10. Magnetic Properties
ment, and of testing, the technical procedure of determining
11. Optical Properties
characteristics of a given object, product or process.

The Hand-
book is due June, 2011.
Part D Materials Performance Testing cores the testing of
material performance in application conditions. This includes
horst.czichos@t-online.de
measurement of corrosion, friction and wear as well as bio-
genic impact on materials and more specific materials envi-
ronment interactions. Evaluation of material performance and
condition monitoring by non-destructive techniques and em-
bedded sensors is also considered. Finally, experimental, deter-

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Promoting Measurement Science

Measurements are the foundation of our global
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April Metrologist 2011

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18 Learning + Development 26 People Making a Difference

46 Letter From Europe

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