National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

In honor of "Hollywood's biggest night," see how our staff have NISTified some popular movies and their accompanying posters. 🎬 https://lnkd.in/ezURYrgU

Happy Pi Day from NIST!

📣 Register Now! Workshop on Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies Join the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NCCoE on April 16, 2026, for a hybrid workshop to examine the technical architectures, interoperability challenges, operational practices, and security risks that are emerging in real-world blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) deployments. During this workshop, participants can expect to engage in discussions with industry experts on where existing standards, specifications, and widely adopted practices are effectively supporting secure DLT systems, what challenges or gaps remain, and how ongoing technical work across industry and standards organizations are addressing these challenges. This workshop will explore: · Existing Standards and Practices – What existing standards, specifications, or widely adopted practices are being used to support interoperable and secure DLT deployments? · Gaps and Technical Challenges – Where do gaps exist in current standards, guidance, or shared technical practices? · Coordination and Ongoing Efforts – Where are industry, open-source communities, and standards organizations already coordinating effectively on DLT security and privacy topics? · Cybersecurity Risks – What cybersecurity risks are most encountered in deployed DLT systems today? Visit the NCCoE event page to register now! *Note: Registration for this event closes on April 9, 2026. Link: https://lnkd.in/eq2gaQpt

Congratulations to the Cyber Risk Institute (CRI) on its release of the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework! Developed in coordination with the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council, the FS AI RMF adapts the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to the specific operational, regulatory, and consumer protection considerations of financial services. The FS AI RMF was designed for all financial institutions — community banks, credit unions, national and multinational banks, insurers and investment firms. It provides a structured approach for financial institutions to evaluate and manage AI-related risks. NIST is proud to have contributed by providing guidance on the application of the AI RMF, meeting with CRI members, and reviewing and commenting on draft materials. Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s announcement for more details: https://lnkd.in/eMnE7way

There are big questions, and then there are universe-sized questions. Like, how fast is the universe growing? Not long ago, scientists thought they had an answer. The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics went to three cosmologists who estimated the expansion rate of the universe by measuring light from distant exploding stars known as supernovas. But recent observations powered by NIST sensors on the Chile-based Atacama Cosmology Telescope have made things even more interesting. The Atacama telescope studies the cosmic microwave background — the universe’s oldest light. NIST scientists built specialized quantum sensors along with superconducting electronics to read out the signals from these sensors. This data helped astronomers measure the universe’s expansion rate to record precision. The telescope’s latest estimate is at odds with results generated using the supernova method. This discrepancy has added further intrigue to one of the most vexing questions in cosmology: How fast is our universe expanding? The Simons Observatory, for which NIST has also built sensors and electronics, will allow scientists to take the next step in this journey. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQVzMWYp

“Small, but mighty” is exactly how we describe this atomic clock. This is the world’s smallest atomic clock, which has been recognized by the Guinness World Records. Originally created in 2004, the core components of the clock are about the size of a grain of rice. This clock can be used as an improved portable timing standard for various kinds of technologies, including as a backup to the satellite-based GPS. As NIST scientists continue to work to reduce the size and increase the accuracy of the clock, the more uses it will have, the more places it can go, and the less power it will need. Read more about our tiny AND mighty atomic clocks: https://lnkd.in/emsEGAjb

No researchers or torque wrenches were harmed in the making of this video.

We're mapping out the chemical makeup of the illicit drug landscape in near real-time through NIST's Rapid Drug Analysis and Research (RaDAR) program. Our researchers work with local, state and federal partners to provide quick, comprehensive and actionable data to address a rapidly evolving public health crisis. With this data, it's possible to track a new substance of concern (such as an animal tranquilizer used as a cutting agent) as it enters the supply in one area of the country and estimate when it can be expected to reach another area. Making public health professionals aware of what's coming can make a difference in how they treat patients entering health clinics and hospitals. The measurement work by NIST is done in this laboratory. Here, we use instruments called direct analysis in real time mass spectrometers (DART-MS) to analyze drug residue samples. The black tubes are portable snorkels, which suck in the vapors generated during the DART-MS analyses to keep our researchers safe from possible exposure.

When anonymous donors commissioned a musical piece to honor NIST on our 125th anniversary, composer Alex Cap learned to express measurement science through music. Since NIST is all about precision measurement, Cap opened the piece with a flurry of sixteenth notes. He explains that to accurately produce these fast notes, musicians have to play their instruments very precisely. Learn more about Cap’s composition, titled “Mensurae in Aeternum” (“Measurements for Eternity”) and hear it performed in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://bit.ly/4s9bOkB #PrecisionMeasurement #Music

Behind the technologies that shape our world are the standards that make them possible. For 125 years, NIST has helped make America safer, healthier, and more prosperous.