NIST Hosts International Nanotechnology Workshop

Gaithersburg, Md., Feb. 26, 2008 — The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is hosting the International Workshop on Documentary Standards for Measurement and Characterization in Nanotechnologies February 26-28. Leaders of international standards committees and measurement laboratories from around the world will exchange information to promote the emergence of high-quality, globally relevant international standards for nanotechnology.

International Workshop on Documentary Standards for Measurement and Characterization in Nanotechnologies, 26-28 February 2008, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg (USA):

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The high global interest in the field of nanotechnologies has pointed to a pressing need for developing high quality documentary standards to support commercial and regulatory needs. Standardization activities in this technology field are being undertaken at the international, regional and national level and involve a broad variety of interests and organizations.

Given the large number and diversity of standards developers and stakeholders actively participating in the field, it is clear that exchange of information and cooperation among the key players in standardization for nanotechnologies is essential to support the emergence of high-quality, globally relevant international standards for the field.

The workshop is designed to promote a dialogue among the organizations most active in nanotechnologies standardization, to foster better understanding among the key players and to capture input and recommendations on relevant matters, which will be channelled for consideration to the existing technical bodies.

The objectives of the workshop are therefore to:

* identify and exchange information on existing documentary standards, deliverables expected in the short- and medium-terms, standardization programmes, and emerging needs in the field of measurement and characterization for nanotechnologies, including pre- and co-normative research (PNR and CNR), certified reference materials, etc.
* provide a framework to analyze and propose mechanisms for improving coordination and cooperation on standardization activities in the selected field.

Source: Commerce Dept.