Research in areas such as development of novel sensors & optical techniques of measurement, also standard methods for acoustic emission & high power industrial ultrasound.
Science + Technology
Excellence in science underpins all of NPL’s activities and particularly its core mission to deliver the highest economic and social impact.
NPL therefore maintains a wide portfolio of internationally visible research programmes that advances measurement science, underpins the SI system and supports various cross-disciplinary technologies.
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Including modelling, metals, ceramics, polymer composites, nano, functional and biomaterials, fuel cells and photovoltaics, surface engineering.
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Provides world-class research, consultancy, calibrations and specialised measurement services in Gas Standards and Trace Analysis & Electrochemistry.
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Including Biopharmaceuticals, Biodiagnostics, healthcare technologies, nanobiotechnology and single molecule spectroscopy.
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Including quantum electrical standards, DC signals, RF, microwave and terahertz radiation, wireless communications.
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Measurement methods that are key in underpinning the competitiveness of UK industry, including length, mass, force and temperature and humidity.
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Measurements for the environment including climate change, pollution, air quality, nanoparticles, gas metrology and trace analysis.
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Including dosimetry, radioactivity, neutrons and radiation transport.
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Including Bayesean data analysis and materials modelling at atomic, molecular and continuum levels.
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Nanoscience including surface and nanoanalysis, high-density magnetic storage and spintronics.
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Including few/entangled photon phenomena & biophotonics, cryogenic detectors, & sensory science.
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Including standards quantum effects in nanoscale devices, and quantum information processing and communications.
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Including SI unit realisation of the second and metre, UK time scale and novel optical frequency standards research.
NPL employees over 500 passionate scientists who in turn collaborate with more than 40 universities in the UK, Europe and the US as well as with other National Measurement Institutes and large companies.
Our research activities are housed in a new suite of state-of-the-art building providing 36,000 m² of custom-designed laboratories and support facilities. This enables the highest precision measurements to be realised, many exploiting effects at the atomic level.
Science Quality at NPL is monitored both internally by our Chief Scientist, key scientists, Knowledge Leaders, and via regular monitoring visits by the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering.