An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physical Measurement Laboratory

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) is the premier organization in the United States advancing the science of measurements that underly technologies and industries, including determinations of mass, time, frequency, temperature, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation.

At the request of NIST, this report assesses the work of the five PML divisions located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physical Measurement Laboratory: Fiscal Year 2025 reviews technical programs, scientific expertise, adequacy of budget and resources, and effectiveness of dissemination for the following divisions: Microsystems and Nanotechnology, Radiation Physics, Nanoscale Device Characterization, Quantum Measurement, and Sensor Science. This report offers overarching conclusions and recommendations that can help these NIST divisions maintain excellence and fulfill their mission goals.