National Physical Laboratory

  • Science + Technology

    Science + Technology

    NPL maintains a wide portfolio of internationally visible research programmes that advances measurement science, underpins the SI system and supports various cross-disciplinary technologies.

    Science stories

    • Measurement in 2020

      Kamal Hossain, Director of Research and International, outlines in QMT magazine, how NPL is rising to meet the measurement challenges of the next two decades.
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    • Order from disorder

      Collaborative research into a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease explores a novel way of organising proteins at the nanoscale.
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    • Radiotherapy doses to be more accurate

      Collaborative research on the distribution of charged particles during treatment will contribute to safer radiotherapy for cancer patients.
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    • The tick-tock of the optical clock

      A new frequency measurement in an ytterbium ion could form the basis for the next generation of optical atomic clocks.
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  • Commercial Services

    Commercial Services

    NPL's commercial services are built on 100 years of leadership in accuracy, innovation and scientific research. Experienced consultants and project managers draw upon a unique combination of industry know-how and world-leading scientific discovery to deliver real-world business solutions and enable innovation and secure competitive advantage.

    Testimonials

    • Bentley Logo

      Thanks to NPL Training, the measurement associates are now thinking out of the box. We are already seeing a faster turnaround of measurement activities with higher accuracy and increased confidence. NPL is known for its technical expertise in this area, and can provide the highest level validated training. It's added to our professionalism and improved communication with our suppliers.

      Mark Imms
      Metrology Manager
      Bentley Motors

    • surreysat2

      NPL has provided us with very valuable services, which have helped ensure that our satellites offer the accuracy needed provide our customers with technology they can trust, and remain ahead of our competitors.

      Dr Martin Unwin
      Head of GNSS/GPS Team
      Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

    • bpGif



      BP Exploration has continued to benefit from NPL's world class corrosion testing and modelling capabilities in 2009, and we intend to cooperate even more closely in 2010 and beyond.

      Steve Groves
      Programmes Manager
      Inherently Reliable Facilities Flagship BP
  • Educate + Explore

    Educate + Explore

    We strive to actively promote public awareness and appreciation of science and technology, particularly the importance of measurement and the role of NPL. Here you can find out more about the interesting things we do, science outreach activities you can get involved in or take a look at some of our educational resources.

    Outreach Activities

  • NMS Learning Zone
  • Measurement Network

    Measurement Network

    The Measurement Network is the UK’s national network set up to support businesses to solve measurement challenges, increase the spread and adoption of measurement knowledge and address strategic measurement issues.

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In the Materials lab Advanced Materials

The Materials Division undertakes cutting-edge research for advanced processing and performance of materials, enabling improved materials selection, lifetime management and support of emerging technologies.

Case Studies

Materials research can have a wide-ranging impact on society, the environment and much more.

Four-point Bend Test
NPL helped develop a 4-point bend test tailored to the needs of the oil and gas industry. This will enable the reliable evaluation of materials used for extracting and transporting oil from wells.

Warmer wetsuits
NPL has performed laboratory and field-based tests for UK wetsuit manufacturer, Spartan, to help further their knowledge of how wetsuits keep people warm.

See more case studies >>

Posters

Materials technology is vital to industrial competitiveness, energy security, sustainability and innovation across all sectors, including healthcare and the environment.

Underpinning future requirements is the need to develop novel materials with tailored properties, to make radical advances in materials processing, to optimise manufacturing and engineering through knowledge-based design, and to establish innovative tools for predicting and characterising performance.

The underlying challenge is to characterise processes at an increasingly localised scale to enable prediction and manipulation of macroscopic behaviour and the production of materials and systems with managed properties.

Advanced measurement techniques are being established at NPL (including 3D-t imaging, in-situ and on-line characterisation, and novel nano-probes), coupled with modelling to support developments in:

  • Multi-functional materials, nanomaterials, fuel cells, electronic interconnects, organic electronics, organic photovoltaics and catalysis
  • Composites materials for aerospace and wind turbines
  • Coatings and surface engineered materials
  • Lifetime prediction of materials for power engineering and oil and gas extraction in increasingly harsh environments.