An Assessment of the United States Measurement System: Addressing Measurement Barriers to Accelerate Innovation

Abstract: The National Institute of Standards and Technology teamed with private sector organizations and others to undertake an assessment of the United States Measurement System. The full report, just released, summarizes measurement barriers to potentially significant technological innovations. This is an Executive Summary of the full report. Some prospective innovations, for example, in the areas of nanotechnology, bio-medicine, and intelligent machines, have the allure and promise that flying machines had a century ago. However, the measurement barriers impeding these looming innovations are vexing, and the underlying science and technology is complex. As a result, the dependence of would-be innovators on the technical infrastructure of the nation, including its measurement system, is greater than it was only a few decades ago. The full report is aimed at facilitating steps to address U. S. measurement barriers, with the goal of accelerating innovation.