Blog: A Measure Above

Innovation and Scientific Publishing: One Technologist's Viewpoint

July 17, 2009 8:39 AM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Innovation Ecosystem

Michael Nielsen, a pioneer in the field of quantum computing, recently published a blog that examines the current state of scientific publishing. Nielson envisions future opportunity here as science research and reporting evolve into a web 2.0 collaborative technology industry. He uses the analogy of a flourishing innovation ecosystem beginning with serious science research blogs.

Speaking of innovation ecosystems, the USMS sees opportunity as well in this changing communication landscape. The tools of the - including blogs and forums- provide innovative opportunities for the entire measurement community to address barriers to innovation in U.S. industry. We invite your participation in the USMS forums on alternative energy and nanotechnology. Search our measurement needs database and send us feedback. Michael Nielsen sees a coming wave of innovation in the communication of scientific challenges and discoveries, and so do we.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Building Momentum for Buildings...

July 13, 2009 11:11 AM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Innovation Ecosystem

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a NIST Workshop on International Codes and Standards related to Building and Fire Research. One takeaway that struck me was the strong showing of support for a mechanism for knowledge sharing and data dissemination in a global community. Whether you are talking about building codes or measurement methods, the integration of information and data would be an impetus for more robust solutions. Christopher Currens, Associate Director of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at NIST, noted that "this audience is concerned with the quality and usability of the vast amount of information that exists regarding standards, codes, and practices." In particular, participants were interested in manipulation of this information to assist in their business and strategic decisions. The Measurement Knowledge Hub is being developed with this in mind.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Measurement Needs and Solutions for Alternative Energy

May 13, 2009 3:53 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Alternative Energy

Calling all alternative energy experts . . . The USMS needs your help identifying measurement needs and solutions in alternative energy. Our webinar series has been expanded to include several areas of alternative energy, including hydrogen, solar/photovoltaic, and biofuel technologies. It is easy to become involved:

• Join us for a webinar, such as the webinar on Measurement Needs for Biofuels on June 9, or review one of our recent webinars on Hydrogen or Solar Energy.
• Participate in any of our Alternative Energy Forums
• Complete one or more questionnaires on the importance and priority of previously defined needs in these alternative energy technologies
• Let us know what kind of information can help you make informed decisions related to measurement technology for alternative energy.

With your input, we can identify critical measurement needs and accelerate critical measurement solutions.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Measurements x Mashups = Multi-Disciplinary Momentum

April 20, 2009 4:14 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Web 2.0

The need to spur innovation as the key to economic growth has rightfully become the mantra of our times.  The nation has a great deal of experience with innovation, as evidenced by today’s products, many of which are based on yesterday’s innovations.  What can be done to encourage the creativity needed to accelerate the innovation process?

In Web 2.0 language, a mashup is a web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool. Mashups originated from the world of pop music where DJs would mix two or more songs together to present a new blended version. This may not be the most elegant term, but it’s descriptive. Think Google Maps (satellite photos + GPS + traffic reports) or Redfin (Virtual Earth + real estate multi-list system).

The term "mashup" could also apply to multi-disciplinary sciences that are becoming the norm rather than the exception.  Consider nanotechnology - a diverse array of potential applications has formed in areas such as medicine, semiconductors, and agriculture. This is further evidenced by at least 27 roadmaps and other documents that address just the environmental health and safety issues associated with nanotechnology.  Click here for a list of these key reports to jog your thinking.

When considering the development of measurement tools for this diverse array of fields, we're challenged to provide a worthy toolbox that enables the development of innovative, safe commercial products in food and agriculture, medicine, materials science, physics, semiconductors, and sensors. Since measurement tools that had once been applied to particular technologies are themselves requiring innovation for newer technologies, let’s facilitate these transitions.

In the spirit of encouraging "measurement mashups," we’re setting up a "tagging" system for measurement needs in our database to assist the cross-pollination of measurement ideas.  These "tags," or keywords associated with each measurement need, describe various aspects of the measurement need (e.g. measurement barrier, economic sector...) and facilitate the search and analysis capabilities that are currently under implementation.  The ultimate objective is to enable the user to pose and answer many of their own strategic questions - more on this in future blogs:

• What measurement technologies are you currently using?  Where are you combining technologies or mashing up?  What has worked?  What hasn’t?
• How can mashup measurement technologies accelerate innovation?
• What do you think are the critical barriers to measurement solutions based on mashup technologies?

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Alternative Energy Webinar: Measurement Barriers to Hydrogen Energy

April 20, 2009 4:14 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Alternative Energy

The USMS Office recently conducted the first in a series of webinars on Measurement Needs and Solutions in Alternative Energy Technologies. We addressed measurement needs identified within technology roadmaps and other significant documents, as well as among the original set of USMS measurement needs.  A summary of relevant NIST research was also presented.  Participants represented Industry, Academia, and Government.  Thank you to all who participated.

Even if you missed this webinar, you can download the webinar materials (including the presentations, podcast, and candidate measurement needs) and give us your input on measurement needs in Hydrogen technology. We will continually collect input.

Moving forward, what topics would you like to see addressed in future USMS webinars? What is the most useful form of webinar follow-up (e.g. working groups, collaboration opportunities, measurement need / solution development teams...)?  What experts should we invite for speakers? What burning questions should we try to answer? What would be a good use of your time?

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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The USMS and Web 2.0: USMS 2.0?

April 20, 2009 4:14 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Innovation Ecosystem

The USMS Office is excited about the promise of Web 2.0 technology to stimulate new measurement solutions. We’re a recently created small office, and the feeling of "one against the world" for this enormous task manifested itself in our early desire to be efficient.  With big ideas but few resources, we needed to find smart ways to engage the universe of measurement solution providers and users.  So what could a small team do to efficiently create a virtual meeting place and "listening post"? Web 2.0 tools suddenly appeared to be an obvious answer.

But this is about more than jumping on the Web 2.0 bandwagon. The USMS raison d'etre is to stimulate innovation. It therefore stands to reason that innovative communications tools, such as Web 2.0, may themselves catalyze innovative measurement solutions by encouraging new audiences to think about critical issues.

Consider the Obama Campaign, which used Web 2.0 technologies to stimulate new and different levels of engagement with voters - a great example of innovative tools to foster innovative approaches to getting things done. As the Obama Administration takes office next week, every federal agency is being asked to take bold steps toward engagement, inclusion and transparency - and the USMS Office is no exception.

While the USMS Office doesn’t have the resources of a well-fueled presidential campaign, the beauty of Web 2.0 is that it doesn’t have to be expensive or complex to have impact. We’re starting with blogs, podcasts, webinars and forums to bring people together, discuss specific issues, and get plenty of feedback.

Ultimately, tools are only as useful or innovative as the people using them.  That’s where you come in.  This development is an exciting challenge for the USMS Office.  More importantly, it is a challenge to you, as a participant, to help co-create this environment. If you are new to Web 2.0, a communications professor created a classic 4- minute video on how YOU create the web that you may find enlightening. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE. Then let us know:

• What innovative things would you like to see the USMS Measurement Knowledge Hub do?
• What have you seen in other online venues that the USMS should consider?
• How might the USMS use these tools to identify new measurement needs—and solutions?

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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The USMS and the Innovation Infrastructure

April 20, 2009 4:13 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Innovation Ecosystem

As I make the rounds to talk about the USMS, people often ask me, "What exactly is the USMS?" My first response is, "It’s something that’s been around for a long time...what’s different now is the convergence of all the players and factors that make up our US measurement infrastructure." The USMS is a community of measurement solution providers and users - researchers, scientists, government agencies, industries, universities and other individuals and entities who have a vested interest in furthering technology.  But it is really much more. The professionals and institutions that comprise the USMS - and the relationships among them - make up the foundation of our country’s innovation infrastructure. In other words, before there can be products and inventions, there must be technology and research that leads to development; to conduct this research and further this technology, you need tools. The USMS provides these tools and is critical to the pace of innovation in the U.S.

It is mind-blowing, but factual, to recognize that almost every device you use in your everyday life, from mattresses to mobile phones, began with research enabled by USMS measurement solutions. That’s why it is critical that folks understand what the USMS is - and what it does for them. We need a strong, healthy USMS because the successful development and introduction of crucial next-generation products will be dependent on advances in measurement-related capabilities. Breakthroughs on several measurement fronts are necessary to move research to the product phase and then to the marketplace. Awareness of the USMS - and access to the information it provides - is essential to competitive product development and a better quality of life for all of us.

What examples are you aware of where measurement technologies paved the way to new major products we now rely on every day?  What are some potential major products currently hindered by the lack of measurement technologies?  Please use the comment link to discuss.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Change Happens: Turning up the Energy on Energy

April 20, 2009 4:13 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Alternative Energy

A new fiscal year is underway and the only certainty is that change happens - scientific and technological change that will affect all of us, in a myriad of ways. Gone are the days when USMS participants could regularly develop tools for single applications - multidisciplinary tools are the norm, rather than the exception.  The world now demands that measurements, standards, and technology be broadly and easily applicable wherever possible.  Our ability to meet these demands plays a key role in US competitiveness. Today, innovation is the name of the game and the energy is palpable. If some of this energy can be focused on growing an even more solid USMS, U.S. companies can be competitive in the global game for better market share.

Speaking of energy, please check out our brand new portal page for the alternative energy sector.  Our hope is to provide a virtual meeting place and key resource for those interested in measurements and standards for each particular area- including our partners in the Department of Energy and other agencies, academia and the energy industry.  We are just getting started and would appreciate your comments regarding the types of resources included on the site.  Please join one of our forums and begin a discussion, or use the resources that will continue to be made available.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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Stimulus Checks, the Economy, Change and the Role of USMS

April 20, 2009 4:12 PM | Posted By Admin
Related Categories: Economics

Many of us have recently received stimulus checks.

On June 12, CBS news reported that although $50 billion in government stimulus checks had been issued, these checks aren't likely to drive the economy out of the doldrums. Why? According to a recent survey of consumers, 51 percent said they wouldn't spend their rebate checks. They'd instead save the money or use it to pay off bills and debt.

Many of us aren't spending, which means the economy is unlikely to do a 180. Does that mean that the economy is stagnant?  There is no doubt that the current economic situation, when combined with the vast globalization of today's marketplace, has opportunities for enhancement.

One of the ways for the U.S. to maintain its competitive edge is to accelerate the pace of innovation. To do this optimally, we should consider the reconcepualization of  the USMS - a foundation of our country's innovation infrastructure. The Measurement Knowledge Hub is a start; this hub will allow measurement solution providers and users across a variety of disciplines to communicate.

This communication is intended to lead to unique collaborations, faster measurement solutions, and a clearer path to bring innovations to market. Time is of the essence - Why is the MKH needed now? -  the MKH helps ideas converge that could culminate in inventions to improve our daily lives...and help secure the United States' place as a leader in innovation and productivity.

Stay tuned for more...Clare

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST or the USMS Office.

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