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https://www.nist.gov/mml
Material Measurement Laboratory
MML conducts measurement science across the chemical, biological and material sciences. Activities range from fundamental and applied research to the development and dissemination of certified reference materials and data to industry, academia, and other government agencies to assure the quality of measurement results.
About the Material Measurement Laboratory
The NIST Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) conducts measurement science research to benefit industries based in the chemical, biological, and material sciences, and contributes technical expertise to the development of standards. MML researchers perform fundamental and applied research, evaluate data, and create other programs and tools to assure the quality of measurement results.
Learn more about MML's work:
Projects & Programs |News & Updates |Events |Publications |Awards |Press Coverage |Blogs |Patents
Our work supports areas of national importance:
- We contribute to the manufacture ofnew vaccines and biologic drugs
- Characterize the performance ofalternative fuels and refrigerants
- Assess pollutants and theirimpact on the marine economy
- Help developnew materials for lightweight, fuel efficient transportation, and much more.
Projects & Programs
Advanced Materials Design: Electronic and Functional Applications
Ongoing
Accelerating Materials Discovery using Machine Learning and AI Using machine learning and AI techniques along with high-throughput DFT calculations materials with specific properties are identified to accelerate the the discovery process for a variety of applications. Some of the specific materials
Characterization of Nano-to-Microscale Process-Induced Thermo-Mechanical Changes in Heterogeneously Integrated Microelectronics
Ongoing
Across the entire semiconductor industry, issues related to thermomechanical mismatches encountered during packaging are limiting factors in the design and fabrication of 3D modular integrated circuits. This project will develop novel and necessary metrologies for thermomechanical properties of
3D Molecular Orientation Imaging
Ongoing
We have developed 3D orientation measurement techniques by analyzing polarization-dependent molecular vibrational signals based on infrared (IR) absorption [1,2] and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) [3]. The two imaging modalities are complementary to each other: IR imaging broadly
News & Updates
NIST Releases New Forensic Genetic Reference Material to Help Crime Laboratories Analyze Challenging Cases
The reference material is the first to include mixtures of high-quality and degraded DNA from different individuals.
Publications
Influence of Ligament Size and Corresponding Tolerances on the Results of Charpy Impact Tests
Author(s)
Enrico Lucon
The most popular international test standards for Charpy testing, namely ASTM E23, ASTM A370, and ISO 148-1, prescribe significantly different tolerances for
Demonstration of Near-Infrared Open-Path Absorption Spectroscopy for Water Vapor and Temperature Monitoring During Structure-to-Structure Fire Spread Experiments
Author(s)
Erin McCaughey,Monica Flores,Christopher Brown,Alexander Maranghides, J. Houston Miller,Diana Bailey
With increasing threats from wildfires in wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, novel approaches for the characterization of fire dynamics and their
Awards
2026 - Dal Nogare Award---Andre Striegel
The Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley honors Dr. André Striegel of the NIST Material Measurement Laboratory with the prestigious
Press Coverage
How Inventors Find Inspiration in Evolution
The New York Times
Soft batteries and water-walking robots are among the many creations made possible by studying animals and plants.
Blog Posts
NIST’s Most Popular Reference Materials and What They Tell Us About the Science of Measurement
NIST develops and sells more than 1,300 standard reference materials that are critical to supporting American industry and conducting research.
Using Experiments and Stories to Inspire the Next Generation of STEM Professionals
A love of science led a NIST researcher to her career. Now she’s working to encourage children to embrace science.
Patents
Serrodyne Frequency Shift Spectrometer and Serrodyne Frequency Shifting
NIST Inventors
Sean Bresler, John R. Lawall and Benjamin Reschovsky Serrodyne modulation (i.e., using a sawtooth waveform to produce a linear phase chirp) is performed using an electro-optic phase modulator to provide the needed frequency shift.
Aptamer Regulated Transcription For In-Vitro Sensing And Transduction
NIST Inventors
Samuel Schaffter It relates to nucleic acid transcription templates, systems, and methods for detection and measurement of molecules and biomolecules (e.g., biomarkers). Particularly, systems and methods utilize a transcription template with an aptamer domain configured to bind a molecule of interest to regulate
Single-Detector Double-Path Intensity-Modulation Spectrometer
NIST Inventors
Young Jong Lee This invention is an optical method that can minimize the noise due to system fluctuations and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio by modulating the analyte beam and the reference beam and detecting the alternating intensity difference by a signal light detector. This invention is based on a double
High-Temperature And High-Pressure Speed Of Sound Apparatus And Measuring The Speed Of Sound In A Sample At High-Temperature And High-Pressure
NIST Inventors
Mark O. McLinden A high-temperature and high-pressure speed of sound apparatus measures the speed of sound in a sample at high-temperature and high-pressure, the apparatus includes: a defined-length spacer that has a fixed length spacer portion; an acoustic reflector, such that a crucible is interposed between the