1

NIST Update and Agenda Review

VCAT Meeting: February 3, 2016, Gaithersburg, MD

Willie E. May

NIST Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology
2

Welcome to New VCAT Member

Waguih S. Ishak

 Division Vice President & Director, Corning West Technology Center (CWTC), 

Corning

 Joined Corning in 2007 to establish CWTC which is:

• a Corning Innovation Hub responsible for business development, collaborations with 

industry, academia, VCs and startups on the West Coast

• staffed with scientists and engineers working on high-speed interconnects, novel 

displays, solid-state illumination, and imbedded sensors

 Prior experience includes positions at Avago Technologies, Agilent Labs, and 

Hewlett-Packard Labs

 Is a Life Fellow of the IEEE

 Serves on the Technical Advisory Boards of USC, UC San Diego, Santa Clara 

University, and NRC of Canada

 Was Awarded the University of California Exemplary Service Award in 2015
3

Welcome to New VCAT Member

Allen Adler

 Vice President, Enterprise Technology Strategy, The Boeing Company

 Leads Boeing’s strategic planning for technology.

• setting research priorities based on future business opportunities

• identifies critical technologies for Boeing’s investment of its research and 

development funds

• fosters enterprise-wide collaboration and replication of key technologies 

across the company’s multiple global businesses. 

• Is executive sponsor of the Boeing Technical Fellowship who promote technical 

excellence and innovation and represent Boeing’s top research, development 

and manufacturing capabilities. 

• Served as director of the Tactical Technology Office at the Defense Advanced 

Research Projects Agency prior to joining Boeing
4

Welcome to our Visitors from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

- the UK’s National Measurement Institute

4

Dr. Kamal Hossain, Director for International Affairs

Dr. Peter Thompson, NPL Director & CEO
5

Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status 

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
6

Recordable case (RC)

• To a first approximation, a workrelated injury or illness that results in 

any of the following: death, days 

away from work, restricted duty, 

transfer to another job, medical 

treatment beyond first aid, loss of 

consciousness. 

DART case

• A work-related injury or illness that 

results in any of the following: Days 

Away from work, Restricted duty, 

Transfer to another job. 

Goal = Zero

Safety Update

NIST Safety Incident Metrics Data shown is to 

January 31, 2016

Projected number

of cases for FY16
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Nine FY16 OSHA Recordable Cases Reported into IRIS as of 31 Jan 2016

IRIS case 

number

DART 

case?

Injury 

or 

Illness?

Brief description of event Brief description of 

injury/illness OU Date of 

occurrence

Date 

reported 

to mgmt

Date 

entered 

into IRIS

16-IG-0009 Y Injury Employee was sliding a box across the floor 

and fell when the box unexpectedly stopped Employee dislocated finger OFPM 20-Oct 20-Oct 21-Oct

16-IG-0011 Y Injury Employee was pushing open a heavy gate Employee experienced pain in 

lower back OFPM 26-Oct 27-Oct 2-Nov

16-IG-0014 Y Illness

A plastic duct was not properly sealed 

releasing a strong odor in the vicinity of the 

employee's workspace

Employee experienced asthmatic 

symptoms

OFRM 26-Oct 27-Oct 28-Oct

16-IG-0022 N Injury Employee slipped after turning ankle while 

walking

Employee experienced pain in one 

knee OFRM 23-Nov 23-Nov 9-Dec

16-IB-0011 Y Injury Employee was removing a tarp that was 

covering outdoor equipment

Employee exerienced pain in a 

muscle of the left leg OFPM 5-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan

16-IB-0012 Y Injury Employee was moving equipment and boxes Employee experienced pain and 

numbness in the wrist and hand

PML 5-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan

16-IG-0029 Y Injury Employee was climbing a ladder when a foot 

slipped off a rung

Employee experienced pain in left 

knee OFPM 11-Jan 11-Jan 12-Jan

16-IG-0030 Y Injury Employee was rushing to vehicle and slipped 

and fell on a sloped section of a sidewalk 

Employee sustained a separated 

shoulder and wrist pain LP 13-Jan 14-Jan 14-Jan

16-IO-0002 N Injury

Employee was moving equipment from an 

upper shelf to a lab bench when another 

piece of equipment located on the shelf fell

Employee experienced pain in 

fingers MML 15-Jan 15-Jan 15-Jan

3 occurred in the Labs; 6 in MR

5 occurred in the first half of January

4 were from slips, trips, and falls; 

3 were from overexertion (pushing/pulling/turning); 

1 was a chemical exposure; 

1 was from “contact with”. 
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Building 236 Incident

~7:00 pm Saturday, July 18, an explosion occurred in 

a laboratory room in Bldg. 236. 

• A member of the NIST security force assigned to the 

Gaithersburg campus suffered non-life threatening injuries,

• The NIST Police and Fire Departments responded and due 

to the presence of what appeared to be meth manufacturing 

evidence requested the assistance of the Montgomery 

County Police and Fire Departments. 

• The officer resigned from Federal Service, effective July 19. 

• Former Officer pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2015 to attempting 

to manufacture amphetamine in a NIST laboratory

• Former Officer Christopher Bartley was sentenced on 

January 8, 2016 in Federal Court to 41 months of prison 

time 

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Special Projects Bldg. 236

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended 

the FBI, DEA and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation, and 

praised NIST for their assistance in the investigation. 
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Building 236 Incident: NIST Actions in Response

• Immediately following the incident, open NIST Staff access to 

Building 236 was restricted until further notice and we began 

reviewing NIST security patrol procedures 

• Extended invitations to 3 external security experts with specific 

experience in protecting a research campus to conduct 

independent reviews of NIST’s current security posture (both 

campuses).
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Update on NIST independent reviews of our Security Posture 

 Committee of Experts (CoE) was convened Sept 2015 and conducted site visits in November, 2015

̶ David S. Komendat, Boeing Senior VP and Chief Security Officer

̶ William C. Cullen, NIH Associate Director for Security & Emergency Response

̶ Nicholas M. Schnare, Department of Commerce Assistant Director for Security and Emergency Management

 Each external security expert, provided an independent assessment and evaluation to determine 

whether current

̶ security/law enforcement measures and protocols

̶ physical security systems and safeguards 

̶ risk management principles

̶ security, law enforcement and contract security staffing, and 

̶ the security/law enforcement management structure 

at NIST are consistent with government or industry best practices, and appropriate to ensure the 

continued security and safety of NIST personnel, program activities and resources. 

 Status:

– Six high level themes were identified 

– Recommendations are under consideration, in collaboration with DoC Office of Security
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High Level Summary - Security Improvement Themes

Authorities

 There was no firm evidence found that clearly articulated NIST senior management’s authority and responsibility to 

assure the security of NIST facilities, people, property and assets

Culture

 The NIST corporate culture is not amenable to strengthening security measures at either location (Gaithersburg or 

Boulder) in any way that would further reduce the collegial atmosphere conducive to science. Security policies are seen as a

hindrance to NIST’s need to be open to industry and academia.

Risk

 There is no designated official who is responsible for accepting risk on behalf of NIST in the security area. The 

decision to accept risk is one that should not be taken lightly and subsequently is generally reserved for those officials with 

overall responsibility for an organization. NIST does not have a robust program for identifying and mitigating security risks

Organization

 NIST’s current organizational structure limits the effectiveness of the security program. The security organization is 

bifurcated and located too low in the organizational structure for security leaders to carry out their mission effectively. The

daily operational environment at NIST does not appear to warrant both a security and a law enforcement cadre.

Resources

 Security resources at NIST (staffing, services, equipment and systems) are undersized for the breadth of 

responsibility of the program. In many instances functional areas of security are only one deep, creating single points of 

failure.

Strategic Planning

 There is no long term security management strategy/sustainment plan in place for NIST. A comprehensive plan should 

identify key threats/risks and those capital investments necessary to sustain and improve the NIST security infrastructure. 
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NIST was already planning critical step to enhance security at its facilities. 

• Physical Security Improvements include: 

• providing expanded coverage of the site via CCTV cameras

• installation of cypher locks for individual labs within Lab Buildings 

• improvements to both visitor registration and associate systems; 

• improving visitor control points at key access points located in the Building 

101 complex 

• IT Improvements include:

• critical IT network security equipment upgrades; 

• expanding staff and equipment resources for privileged access management 

at the system-to-system level; 

• inclusion of federal, contract, associate, and international associate indicators 

within the display name of all NIST email accounts (ex. john.doe

(intlassoc)@nist.gov); 

Artist drawing of Security Turnstiles 

for access control to lab buildings 

adjacent to bldg. 101

Additionally, NIST and the DoC Office of Security (OSY) have been working with DoC Office of the Inspector 

General to review NIST Foreign Guest Researcher program..
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Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status 

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
14

Priorities Shared with VCAT in June 2014

• Fill key senior leadership vacancies (Directors of: PML, EL, MEP, SCO, AMNPO, and my 

replacement as ADLP) 

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs initiated in response to 

pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program

– Strengthening the MEP Program

– Supporting the Secretary by leading the Innovation Goal Activities within the Department’s Strategic 

Plan

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs and priorities
Director

Under Secretary of Commerce 

for Standards and Technology

Willie E. May

Chief of Staff

Kevin Kimball

Executive Officer for Administration

Management and Organization

Program Coordination

Public Affairs Office

Congressional and Legislative Affairs

International and Academic Affairs

Associate Director for Laboratory 

Programs/Principal Deputy

Kent Rochford

Staff Offices

Standards Coordination

Gordon Gillerman

Special Programs

Richard Cavanaugh

Associate Director for Innovation 

and Industry Services

Phillip Singerman

Staff Offices

Economic Analysis

Technology Innovation

Technology Partnerships

Material Measurement Laboratory

Laurie Locascio

Communications Technology Laboratory

Dereck Orr, Acting

Physical Measurement Laboratory

James Olthoff

Engineering Laboratory

Howard Harary 

Information Technology Laboratory

Charles Romine

Center for Nanoscale Science and 

Technology

Robert Celotta

NIST Center for Neutron Research

Robert Dimeo

Associate Director for Management 

Resources

Mary Saunders

Staff Offices

Civil Rights and Diversity

Research Support Services

Baldrige Performance Excellence 

Program

Robert Fangmeyer

Hollings Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership

Carroll Thomas

Advanced Manufacturing Program 

Office

Michael Molnar

Office of Acquisition and Agreements 

Management

Cecelia Royster

Office of Safety, Health and 

Environment

Richard Kayser

Office of Financial Resource 

Management

George Jenkins

Office of Human Resources 

Management

Susanne Porch

Office of Information Systems 

Management

Delwin Brockett

Office of Facilities and Property 

Management

Steve Salber

NIST Organizational Structure
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In filling the position of Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, the search 

focused on someone who ideally: 

• truly understands NIST and its Mission

• is open-minded and outcome oriented

• has demonstrated a willingness to lead strategically

• is an excellent communicator

• is an advocate for continued improvement of support functions

• has well-recognized technical chops 

• has experience with or exposure to “crisis management”

Following a nation-wide search that garnered more than 85 applicants

• 6 were interviewed

• Dr. Kent Rochford was selected

He has served as:

• Founding Director of NIST’s Communication Technology Laboratory. 

• R&D Director at Sharp Laboratories of America

• NIST Boulder Laboratory Operations Director. 

• Acting Director of the NIST Electronics and Electrical Engineering 

Laboratory,

• Chief of NIST’s Quantum Electronics and Photonics Division

• Manager Systems and Architecture Division for Yafo (Start –up)

• Project Leader within NIST EEEL.
17

Priorities Continued

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety and Security Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs 

initiated in response to pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program

– Strengthening the MEP Program

– Supporting the Secretary by leading the Innovation Goal Activities within the 

Department’s Strategic Plan

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs and 

priorities
18

Since our inception as the National Bureau of Standards in 1901, in addition to maintaining 

the more traditional National Physical Measurement Standards, we have also focused a 

significant portion of our research and measurement services activities on addressing 

contemporary societal needs 

NIST has become:

• a key player on the Administration’s Innovation Team 

• the nation’s go-to agency for measurements, standards, and technology 

Advanced communications

Advanced manufacturing

Advanced materials

Bioscience and Health

Cyber-physical systems

Quantum science

Cybersecurity

Forensic science

Disaster resilience

Climate assessment
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Priorities Continued

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety and Security Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs initiated in 

response to pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission 

delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program

– Strengthening the MEP Program

– Supporting the Secretary by leading the Innovation Goal Activities within the 

Department’s Strategic Plan

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs and 

priorities
20

Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance 

mission delivery

• Innovations in Measurement Science (IMS) Program

• Joint Institutes and Centers of Excellence Program

• Post Doctoral and Guest Researcher Programs

• Challenge Prizes
21

Priorities Continued

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety and Security Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs initiated in 

response to pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program and Strengthening 

the MEP Program

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs and 

priorities
22

Priorities Continued

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety and Security Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs initiated in 

response to pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program and Strengthening the MEP 

Program

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational 

Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs and 

priorities
23

Operational Excellence: Update

NIST Internal Operations Task Groups

• reports completed early last year

• action plans developed to address priority recommendations identified by the NIST Director

Progress to date of Task Groups

• human resources

− onboarding program concept developed and approved; currently staffing an onboarding office

− local approving authority in place for key actions

− pay band restrictions in the Administrative career path addressed

• reimbursable agreements

− RACO responsibilities expanded

− legal reviews moving more efficiently

− umbrella agreements in place with key NIST customers

− review/approval times have decreased dramatically (currently 30 days or less)

• acquisitions

− restructuring and expanding teams to enhance service quality and efficiency

− expanding customer advocacy resources

− obtained waiver from DOC for local sign off on requirements less than $150K

• All Task Groups

− Service Now’” pilots established for HR, reimbursable agreements and acquisitions to address 

customer needs for improved tracking, transparency and timeliness of actions
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Priorities Continued

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team in: 

– Continuing to strengthen the NIST Safety and Security Culture 

– Completing the successful implementation of new NIST Technical programs initiated in 

response to pressing national needs 

– Enhancing current and developing new capabilities needed to enhance mission delivery

– Addressing long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program and Strengthening the MEP 

Program

– Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our internal operations 

o becoming an organization known and looked up to for our “Operational Excellence” 

– Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs 

and priorities
25

Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status and Hill Update

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
26

Budget Update (from FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, $M)

FY 2016

FY 2015 President's FY2016

Enacted Request Enacted

STRS / Laboratory Programs $675.5 $754.7 $690.0

ITS $138.1 $306.0 $155.0

CRF $50.3 $59.0 $119.0

Total, NIST Discretionary 863.9 1,119.7 964.0

$ M

NIST STRS

$964M

$690M

NIST Topline

$383M

$752M
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FY2016 STRS funding:

Issue:

During our recent budget growth spurt, most years our STRS increase has exceeded the 

funding required for new Congressional priorities. However, that was not the case this 

year.

• STRS increase over FY15 is $14.5M

• Congressional priorities and required ATBs amount to ~$41M.

Provides $690M for Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS)

• FY2016 STRS funds for mandated increases for Congressional priorities $25.0

Funded by:

• STRS Increase over FY2015 $14.5 

• FY15 Base Reductions to Fund New Initiatives ($25 - $14.5) $10.5 

• FY2016 STRS funds for Adjustments-to-Base (Inflation Increases) $16.8

Funded by: 

• Additional Base Reductions to Fund Inflation Increases $16.8

$25 M
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NIST Proposed Program Increases to Address Congressional Priorities 

FY2016 NIST Proposed Proposed

Increase $M STRS Increase Program Total

as per Omnibus FY2016 $M $M

• Disaster Resilient Buildings and Infrastructure, $10.0 +$10.0 $20.4 

• Strengthening NIST Cryptographic and Privacy Capabilities $ 7.0 + $7.0 $13.2 

• Quantum-Based Sensors and measurements, $ 5.0 + $5.0 $26.6 

• Urban Dome Program $ 2.0 + $2.0 $9.45 

• Metals-Based Additive Manufacturing $ 0.5 +$ 0.0

• Advanced Materials/Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) $10.0 + $1.0 ~$33.4
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NIST FY2016 Industrial Technology Services (ITS), $M

$20 M for up to 2 DoC NNMI Institutes

$5 M to support AMNPO 

(to provide shared services and support to all NNMI Institutes)

FY2015

President’s 

Request, 

FY2016

FY2016

ITS $138.1 $306.0 $155.0

Advanced Mfg Tech Consortia 8.1 15.0 --

Hollings Mfg Ext Partnership 130.0 141.0 130.0 

Nat'l Network for Mfg Innovation 0.0 150.0 25.0
30

NIST Construction of Research Facilities (CRF), $M

FY2015

President’s 

Request, 

FY2016

FY2016

CRF $50.3 $59.0 $119.0

Initial work to modernize Bldg 245 60.0

Safety, Capacity, Maintenance and 

Major Repair 59.0

$ 3 M Complete Bldg 3 renovation 

$12 M Continue Bldg 1 (Wing 5) renovation

$44 M Apply to deferred maintenance and repair backlog
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Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status 

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
32

Presidential Rank Awards 

• Chosen by President Obama and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management from ~6,800 senior Federal staff

Distinguished Senior Professional: John Butler

• NIST Fellow and special assistant to the Director for forensic science, recognized for his world leading work in 

forensic DNA analysis. He currently serves as the Co-Vice Chair of the U.S. National Commission on Forensic 

Science. 

Distinguished Executive: Jun Ye

• Recognized for “advancing the frontier of light-matter interactions and focusing on precision measurement, 

quantum physics and ultracold matter, optical frequency metrology, and ultrafast science."

Meritorious Senior Professional: Joseph Stroscio

• NIST Fellow recognized for leading a world-class research program in the measurement of the electronic 

properties of grapheme, the subject of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.

NIST Recipients in 2015

Distinguished Rank Recipients

are recognized for sustained extraordinary accomplishment, 

and receive a cash award of 35% of their base salary. 

Only 1% of career SES or SL/ST may receive this rank.

Meritorious Rank Recipients

are recognized for sustained accomplishment, and receive a cash 

award of 20% of their base salary. No more than 5% of career 

SES or SL/ST members may receive this award.
33

Ron Ross, NIST Fellow

Samuel J. Heyman “Service to America Award” in 

Homeland Security and Law Enforcement, 

• awarded October 7, 2015 “for instituting a state-of-the-art risk 

assessment system that has protected federal computer networks 

from cyberattacks and helped secure information critical to our 

national and economic security.”

He also received:

• 2015 Government Computer News Executive of the Year

• Class of 2015 National Cyber Security Hall of Fame

• Top 10 Influencers in Government InfoSec

Adam Sedgewick, Information Technology Laboratory

Named as one of the Top 10 Influencers in Government InfoSec 

in 2015

“for his efforts in the development of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 

for Critical Infrastructure”
34

New NIST Fellow 

Nathan Newbury

Leader of the Fiber Sources and Applications Group 

Applied Physics Division

Physical Measurement Laboratory

NIST Fellows are senior researchers who:

– operate at the highest level of achievement and impact in contributing to the NIST 

mission; 

– are visionary scientific/technical leaders;

– provide high-quality programmatic input/advice to NIST management; and mentor, 

motivate, and 

– inspire other NIST technical staff. 

NIST Fellows are primarily involved in research and technology development and 

deployment; not administration.
35

Frank Gayle – Deputy Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office 

Elected as “ASM International Fellow”, October 6, 2015

“for outstanding technical contributions and research management in materials measurement, applications, and 

manufacturing with significant contributions to light alloy metallurgy, quasicrystals, high temperature 

superconductivity, solder science and structural integrity.” 

This honor recognizes Gayle for his distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering, 

and provides a forum for technical and professional leaders to serve as advisors to the Society. 

Laurie Locascio - Director, Material Measurement Laboratory 

Elected as American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellow

“for outstanding contributions to the fields of microfluidics and biosensors for applications in biomedical sciences 

and engineering”.

The College of Fellows is comprised of the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. 

John Copley -

Elected as Fellow of the Neutron Scattering Society of America

“for his outstanding research on the physics of liquids and fullerenes and his major contributions to neutron 

instrument development and data analysis.”

Through the NSSA Fellowship Program, the NSSA recognizes members who have made significant contributions to 

the neutron scattering community in North America.
36

Dr. Charles Majkrzak - NIST, APS, NSSA Fellow

The Clifford G. Shull Prize in Neutron Science by the Neutron Scattering Society of America

• “For leadership in the development, application, and establishment of neutron reflectivity as an 

essential measurement tool for nanoscale materials.”

• To recognize outstanding research in neutron science and leadership promoting the North American 

neutron scattering community in honor of Clifford G. Shull, who received the Nobel Prize in 1994 with 

Bert Brockhouse for seminal developments in the field of neutron science. 

Dr. Yun Liu - a long-time guest researcher & NIST Associate in the NIST Center for Neutron Research

The Science Prize of the Neutron Scattering Society of America

• “For the discovery of dynamic cluster ordering in complex colloidal and protein systems using 

neutron scattering.”

• Given to recognize a major scientific accomplishment or important scientific contribution within the 

last 5 years using neutron scattering techniques. Nominees must be within 12 years of receiving 

their PhD degree. Preference shall be given to applicants whose work was carried out predominantly 

in North America.
37

Dr. Sam Benz - Electromagnetics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory

2016 IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award 

•“for creating and disseminating quantum-based superconducting voltage 

standards that form the basis for worldwide precision voltage measurements”

Drs. Stephen Russek, Michael Boss, Katy Keenan and Karl Stupic - Quantum Electronics 

and Photonics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory

2015 Colorado Governor’s Award 

• “for High-Impact Research in Public Health and Life Sciences for developing a broad suite of 

calibration “phantoms” to enable quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)”

Stephen Russek Michael Boss Katy Keenan Karl Stupic
38

NIST Director & Staff Win 2016 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Awards

FEDERAL LABORATORY DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 

Dr. Willie E. May – National Institute of Standards and Technology

for:

• Outstanding support of technology transfer activities by NIST laboratories; 

• Efforts to develop the NIST Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program to promote the 

utilization of NIST-owned inventions; 

• Championing of NIST’s biomanufacturing initiative; and 

• Effective leadership of NIST that fosters entrepreneurial activities and collaborative 

partnerships, including a 5-year CRADA partnership with Medimmune. 

EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Awarded to the following from the Energy and Environment Division, Engineering Laboratory

• W. Stuart Dols

• Steven Emmerich

• Brian Polidoro

for:

“Building Airflow and Containment Computer Model for Sustainability and Health”
39

Precision Measurement Laboratory building renamed in honor of legendary Laboratory Director

Distinguished Career

• Began career as a postdoc in Boulder at JILA

• Led NIST research leading to 4 Nobel Prizes and 2 MacArthur 

Fellowships 

• Her honors include Service to America Career Achievement Award, the 

Women in Science and Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award

• Leadership role in creation of NIST’s Summer Undergraduate Research 

Program (SURF) and Joint Quantum Institute (JQI)

• Advocate of women and minorities in science

Cutting-Edge Laboratory

• Building first dedicated in 2012

• Tightly controlled environment for next-generation atomic clocks, nanoscale 

imaging, and biomedical standards

• In-house nano- and micro- fabrication facility accelerates R&D for electrical 

standards, homeland security, and quantum computing

During her amazing 47 year tenure at NIST, Dr. Gebbie has helped 

foster a world leading research environment that has yielded 4 Nobel 

prizes and countless other awards. for women in science.

Dr. Katharine Gebbie
40

Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status 

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
NIST Internet Time Services

 NIST provides a range of time dissemination services, including NIST Internet Time 

Service (ITS) 

 The most popular NIST ITS is provided through the Network Time Protocol

– NTP is provided in standard and authenticated form and is directly traceable to NIST UTC

– NIST NTP timing accuracy is fundamentally limited to about 1 millisecond per day (a stability and 

accuracy of 10-8 at one day)

– NIST NTP servers receive approximately 12 billion hits/day

 Over the past several years NIST has explored privatizing its NTP servers

 NIST has decided:

– Not to privatize due primarily to security concerns

– To centralize our NTP servers at 3 sites at or near the Boulder and Gaithersburg campuses

– To upgrade the servers and harden them

– To add sufficient bandwidth to internally handle the >60 billion hits expected in the next decade

41
NIST and Intel Get Critical (Dimensions) with X-rays

Researchers from NIST MML and Intel have successfully used an X-ray scattering 

technique (CDSAXS) to accurately measure features on a silicon chip to within fractions 

of a nanometer, or about the width of a single silicon atom.

An example CDSAXS scattering pattern (left) shows the 

interference patterns created by the shape of the 

nanostructure, which ultimately yield a “best fit” shape 

model (top, right). The corresponding cross-sectional 

image (bottom), obtained with a transmission electron 

microscope, shows the nanostructure measured by NIST 

and Intel researchers.

• With the complexity and the size of lines, 

trenches, holes and other features on silicon 

slices shrinking to single-digit nanometers, 

measurement tools long used to monitor 

chip production are approaching their limits.

• The experimental technology used, 

CDSAXS (critical-dimension small angle Xray scattering), could be developed as a 

new in-line process control tool for 

measuring vanishingly small features on 

next-generation computer chips.
43

• Strong progress in public safety communications interoperability and work to be further 

accelerated by receipt of $300 M from the AWS-3 spectrum auction

• National Advanced Spectrum and Communication Test Network launched spectrum 

sharing project – focus on 3.5 GHz Citizen Band Radio Service spectrum sharing –

strengthening partnerships between NIST, NTIA, DOD and private sector

• Infrastructure and expertise build up through significant new staff hires to 

scale up research, measurement and standards activities

Research and tools to enable emerging communication technologies

Update: Advanced Communications
44

Progress made on VCAT Recommendations to NIST regarding 

NIST Cryptographic Standards Program

44

• Improve NIST’s open and transparent process when producing its standards 

and best practices.

• Increase NIST cryptographic capacity.

• Increase the involvement of the cryptographic community, including academia 

and industry, in the standards development process.

• Review and clarify NIST’s relationship with NSA
45

The first cryptographic hash algorithm NIST developed using a public competition and 

vetting process

Nov. 2007

SHA-3 

Public 

Competition 

Announced

NIST 

receives 64 

entries 

Oct. 2008

Dec. 2008:

51 firstround 

candidates

14 second-round 

candidates

July 2009

Dec. 2010

5 finalists to 

advance to 

final round

Keccak

announced as 

winner; 

competition ends

Oct. 2012

SHA-3 Standardization

2013

NIST outreach 

to share SHA-3 

standardization 

plans

Draft FIPS 202 announced in 

Federal Register; Public 

comment period begins 

May 2014

Aug. 2015

FIPS 202 and Revised 

Applicability Clause of FIPS 

180-4 announced in Federal 

Register 

SHA-3 Competition

Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA)-3 
46

Information Technology Laboratory realignment to addressing growth in cybersecurity 

Information 

Technology 

Laboratory

Applied & 

Computational 

Mathematics 

Division

Advanced 

Network 

Technologies 

Division

Computer 

Security 

Division

...

Applied 

Cybersecurity 

Division

National Strategy for Trusted Identities in 

Cyberspace Group

National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence 

Group

National Initiative for Cybersecurity 

Education

Cybersecurity & Privacy Applications Group

Cryptographic Technology Group

Security Components & Mechanisms Group

Secure Systems & Applications Group

Security Outreach & Integration Group

Security Testing, Validation & Measurement 

Group

FY2016 Information 

Technology 

Laboratory

Applied & 

Computational 

Mathematics 

Division

Advanced 

Network 

Technologies 

Division

Computer 

Security 

Division

...

Applied 

Cybersecurity 

Division

FY2016 

Conducts the research, development 

and outreach necessary to provide 

standards and guidelines, 

mechanisms, tools, metrics and 

practices to protect the U.S.'s 

information and information systems.

Implements practical cybersecurity and 

privacy through outreach and the 

effective application of standards and 

best practices necessary for the U.S. to 

adopt cybersecurity capabilities.

Information 

Technology 

Laboratory

Applied & 

Computational 

Mathematics 

Division

National Strategy for 

Trusted Identities in 

Cyberspace

National 

Cybersecurity Center 

of Excellence

National Initiative for 

Cybersecurity 

Education

Advanced 

Network 

Technologies 

Division

Computer 

Security 

Division

...

Before FY2016 

Cryptographic Technology Group

Security Components & Mechanisms Group

Secure Systems & Applications Group

Security Outreach & Integration Group

Security Testing, Validation & Measurement Group

Realignment of the Cybersecurity Portfolio
47

Information Technology Laboratory realignment to addressing growth in cybersecurity 

Information Technology 

Laboratory

Applied & 

Computational 

Mathematics 

Division

Advanced 

Network 

Technologies 

Division

Computer 

... Security Division

Applied 

Cybersecurity 

Division

• National Strategy for Trusted Identities in 

Cyberspace Group

• National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Group

• National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education

• Cybersecurity & Privacy Applications Group

• Cryptographic Technology Group

• Security Components & Mechanisms Group

• Secure Systems & Applications Group

• Security Outreach & Integration Group

• Security Testing, Validation & Measurement Group

FY2016

Realignment of the Cybersecurity Portfolio
48

Accelerating the deployment and use of secure, standards-based technologies 

History/Background

• Established in Feb. 2012 in partnership with the State of Maryland and Montgomery County

• 23 industry partners

• First Federally Funded R&D Center for Commerce and First Dedicated to Cybersecurity; Sept. 2014

• New NIST Special Publication Series Launched for Cybersecurity Practice Guides in 2015

New Facility Opened – December 2015

• Located ~3 miles from NIST Gaithersburg Campus

• The additional 60,000 square feet expands the center’s workspace from 4 to 22 separate, flexible 

laboratories with space to house NIST and MITRE experts, other agency detailees and visiting 

industry and academic specialists.

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony to be hosted by Senator Mikulski, Secretary Pritzker, and Director May on 

February 8, 2016 

New NCCoE Facility 

9700 Great Seneca Hwy 

Rockville, MD

National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Current areas of research and development:

• Health Care – Security platforms for the wireless medical infusion pumps

• Energy – Identity and access management central management for IT and operational resources

• Transportation – Cybersecurity profile for bulk liquid transport

• Financial Services – IT asset management to support making software changes and network breaches more 

easily identifiable

• Attribute Based Access Controls – Capability to support controlled access by an individual’s attributes rather 

than their role.

• Trusted Email – Security platform that provides trustworthy email exchanges across organizational boundaries
Program Update: Cybersecurity Framework 

• Partnering on awareness 

campaigns

• Participating in stakeholderorganized events

• Developed through a strong 

and intensive private-public 

partnership

• Delivered in 1 year, on time

• Improve the Framework if 

needed based on experience

• Ensure the Framework and its 

use endures

• Produce guidance, tools, and 

resources; support others as 

they do the same

• Engaging more communities

• Amplify awareness through 

strengthened relationships 

Development with sectors and agencies

Raising 

Awareness

Analyzing Use

Amplifying

Educating

Sustaining

• Getting feedback on 

Framework use

• Issuing guidance and reference 

tools

What We’ve Been Doing Where We’re Headed
50

Adoption Rates for NIST Cybersecurity Framework

First released in 2014 the NIST Framework for Improving Critical 

Infrastructure Cybersecurity, has been rapidly adopted:

Gartner:

On its website, Absolute reports that:

• 82% of federal agencies are either fully or partially adopting the 

framework

• 53% of organizations outside the federal government have adopted 

NIST standards.

http://blogs.absolute.com/blog/adoption-rate-soars-for-nist-cybersecurity-framework/

“Recent estimates are that by 2020, more than 50% of private 

and public organizations in the US will leverage the NIST 

cybersecurity framework, up from the current 30% in 2015."
National Network for

Manufacturing Innovation

America Makes

Additive 

Manufacturing

DOD–Youngstown 

OH

LIFT

Lightweight &

Modern Metals

DOD – Detroit 

MI 

DMDII

Digital Mfg & Design 

Innovation

DOD – Chicago IL

PowerAmerica

Power 

Electronics 

Manufacturing

DOE – Raleigh 

NC

IACMI

Adv. Composites

Manufacturing

DOE – Knoxville 

TN

Integrated 

Photonics

DOD 

Rochester 

NY

Smart 

Manufacturing

DOE Solicitation

Flexible Hybrid 

Electronics

DOD

San Jose, CA

Revolutionary Fibers 

& Textiles

DOD

Solicitation

Institutes for FY 2016:

DOC – 2, open topic

DOD – 2, topic TBD

DOE – 2, topic TBD

Current Institutes:

Providing a manufacturing research 

infrastructure to solve industry challenges

Today, I’m asking Congress to build on the 

bipartisan

support for this idea . . . creating a network of 

these hubs 

and guaranteeing that the next revolution in 

manufacturing is “Made in America.” --July 

30, 2013
52

NIST Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO)

• Administers NIST NNMI Institutes

• Operates the interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program 

Office, (AMNPO) which:

• convenes the whole-of-government NNMI program

• Provides annual reporting to Congress

• Shares best practices and provides shared services for 

Institutes

• Establishes new Institutes that address private sector needs

• Awards AMTech funds to establish technology roadmaps addressing 

long-term U.S. industrial research needs. 

NIST Labs support other-agency NNMI Institutes

• Contributing to FOA / vision / review

• Serving in advisory roles

• Developing active collaborations

• Strong technical programs in the NIST Labs

New in 2016: Up to two new centers on open topics

National Network for Manufacturing Innovation – NIST Role 
53

B. Simonds, P. Williams, J. Sowards, J. Hadler

Currently, laser welding is...

• A viable but underutilized solution to many industrial welding problems

• A complex, multi-physics process (light-matter interaction at the extreme)

• A process that is difficult to characterize due to current measurement limitations

• Limited by measurement capability (currently more art than science)

NIST laser welding program goals...

• Improved manufacturing efficiency

Improved yield, real-time quality control, process portability

• New manufacturing capabilities

Enabling laser welding of hard-to-weld/”un-weldable” materials

Scale

Aluminum

housing

Sensing mirror

First in the world: Real-time, calibrated laser power measurement during a laser weld

• Conventional methods cannot accurately measure laser power during

a laser weld because the laser light must be absorbed to be measured.

• New radiation pressure technique measures the very small force of 

light as it reflects from a mirror. This force is proportional to the laser 

power.

• Radiation pressure allows laser light to be measured AND used to 

weld simultaneously.

• Radiation pressure uses a commercial scale to measure laser power, 

traceable to the kilogram.

NIST Laser Welding Program: Progress towards a calibrated laser weld
54

2009 NAS Report

• “With the exception of nuclear DNA analysis, no forensic method has 

been rigorously shown to have the capacity to consistently, and with a 

high degree of certainty, demonstrate a connection between evidence 

and a specific individual or source.” (p.7)

• “The efforts of these (21 Scientific Working Groups) are laudable. 

However, . . . it is not clear how [they] interact or the extent to which 

they share requirements, standards, or policies. Thus, there is a need 

for more consistent and harmonized requirements.” (p.16)
55

Forensic Science Efforts at NIST

National Commission on 

Forensic Science (NCFS)

Department of Justice FACA

• 32 voting and 8 ex-officio members

• Develops policy recommendations for U.S. 

Attorney General

Organization of Scientific 

Area Committees (OSAC)

NIST-administered

>540 members from the community

establishing documentary standards and best practices

Partnership with Department of Justice

International Symposium on 

Forensic Science Error 

Management

432 participants (11 countries) in 2015

NIST Internal Research and 

Measurement Service Programs

~+$7.5M/year invested

NIST Forensic Science

Center of Excellence

CoE: ~$4M/year invested for 5 

years (2015-2020)
56

Who, What, WHEN: Determining the Age of Fingerprints

NIST chemists have tested if you can determine the age 

of a fingerprint by the degree to which the biomolecules, 

such as fatty acids, in the fingerprint’s ridges have 

migrated down into the valleys.

• proof-of-concept paper published in Analytical Chemistry

• a potential advantage is that this approach doesn’t depend on chemical 

changes in the fingerprint, which are highly dependent on circumstances, 

but depends primarily on molecular weight and fairly well-understood 

models of molecular diffusion.

Even the approximate age of a fingerprint can have a 

critical bearing on forensic results. 

• can rule out some prints as being too old to be relevant 

• help fix the time of the crime

• differentiate the multitude of fingerprints found on improvised bombs to 

winnow out prints of individuals who may simply have handled the 

components in a shop from those of the actual bombmakers. 

Chemical imaging of a fingerprint 

shows the relative distribution of 

palmitic acid (green) and the more 

immobile waxy residue (red) when 

freshly deposited (left) and after 72 

hours (right), showing the migration 

of the palmitic acid.

Credit: Muramoto/NIST

S. Muramoto and E. Sisco. Strategies for potential age dating of fingerprints through the diffusion of sebum molecules on a nonporous surface 

analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Anal. Chem., Articles ASAP Publication Date (Web): July 17, 2015 DOI: 

10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02018.
57

NIST Simulates Fast, Accurate DNA Sequencing Through 

Graphene Nanopore

• NIST researchers have simulated a new concept for rapid, accurate gene sequencing by pulling a 

DNA molecule through a tiny, chemically activated hole in graphene—an ultrathin sheet of carbon 

atoms—and detecting changes in electrical current. 

• Concept: to create temporary chemical bonds and rely on graphene’s capability to convert the 

mechanical strains from breaking those bonds into measurable blips in electrical current

• To detect all four DNA bases, four graphene nanoribbons, each with a different base inserted in the 

pore, can be stacked to create an integrated DNA sensor

• The NIST study suggests the method could identify about 66 million bases—the smallest units of 

genetic information—per second with 90 percent accuracy and no false positives. 

• If demonstrated experimentally, the NIST method might ultimately be faster and cheaper than conventional DNA 

sequencing, meeting a critical need for applications such as forensics.

Credit: Smolyanitsky/NIST

"This is essentially a tiny strain sensor,” says NIST theorist Alex 

Smolyanitsky, who came up with the idea and led the project. “We 

did not invent a complete technology. We outlined a new physical 

principle that can potentially be far superior to anything else out 

there.” 
59

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC)

SAC = Scientific Area Committee

Sub = Subcommittee

Facial Identification Sub

Firearms and Toolmarks 

Sub 

Forensic Document 

Examination Sub

Anthropology Sub

Biological Methods Sub

Digital Evidence Sub

Seized Drugs Sub

Disaster Victim 

Identification Sub

Friction Ridge Sub

Fire Debris and Explosives Sub 

Materials (Trace) Sub

Medicolegal Death 

Investigation Sub

Bloodstain Pattern 

Analysis Sub

Toxicology Sub

Dogs and Sensors Sub

Footwear and Tire Sub

Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

Wildlife Forensics Sub

Geological Materials Sub

Video/Imaging Technology 

and Analysis Sub 

Biology/DNA 

SAC

Quality Infrastructure 

Committee (QIC)

Physics/Pattern 

Interpretation

SAC

Chemistry/ 

Instrumental Analysis 

SAC

Digital/Multimedia

SAC

Crime Scene/ 

Death Investigation

SAC

Fire and Explosion 

Investigation Sub 

Legal Resource 

Committee (LRC)

Biological Data 

Interpretation and 

Reporting Sub

Human Factors 

Committee (HFC)

Gunshot Residue Sub

Odontology Sub

Speaker Recognition Sub

Crime Scene Sub
60

http://www.nist.gov/forensics/osac/osac-registries.cfm
61

Enabling scalable design and reproducible performance measurement of advanced CPS

Global Cities Team Challenge

• Smart Cities are key platforms for demonstrating replicable, scalable and 

reproducible deployment of CPS/Internet of Things (IoT) solutions

• June 2015 Expo featured 63 teams and 200+ participating companies, cities, and 

universities

• GCTC2016 kickoff held Nov 12-13, 2015; 16 teams formed so far...

CPS Public Working Group

• NIST Leadership with industry, academia, and government participation

• CPS Framework drafted (now in public review) by experts in 5 working groups

CPS TestBed

• CPS Testbed workshop held in Feb 2015 resulted in conceptual design

CPS Standards and Research

• Cybersecurity, industrial control systems, manufacturing, health care, smart grid...

CPS Testbed

CPS PWG

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Program
62

Developing science-based tools to assess resilience, support resilience investment 

decisions, and provide guidance for planning and implementation of resilience measures

Planning Guide

• Community Resilience Planning Guide for Buildings and 

Infrastructure Systems (Vol 1 & 2) released in October 2015

• Included in The President’s Climate Action Plan, 2013

• Press releases by NIST and the Department of Commerce

• Community Resilience Economic Decision Guide for Buildings and 

Infrastructure Systems published in December 2015

Community Resilience Panel

• Community Resilience Panel for Buildings and Infrastructure 

Systems launched November 9, 2015

 Approximately 300 stakeholders representing government 

agencies, community and emergency planners, utility 

managers, insurance industry, etc.

 Priorities, plans, and research needs to improve standards, 

guidelines and best practices to strengthen resilience

 The Panel’s efforts will inform updates to the Planning Guide

Community Resilience
63

White House Earthquake Resilience Summit

On Tuesday, February 2, the White House hosted an Earthquake Resilience 

Summit to promote adoption of an earthquake-early warning system in the 

United States. 

NIST Role:

• NIST is the Lead Agency of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 

(NEHRP) and, as such, is directed to work through the Interagency Committee on 

Seismic Safety in Construction (ICSSC) to create and maintain guidelines that 

help agencies implement this requirement.

• Specifically, the Director of NIST is to: 

• issue implementing guidelines to assist agency compliance

• provide assistance in interpreting these guidelines to Federal departments and 

agencies
64

• Develop a fluorescence-based optical method to select the optimal formulation for keeping protein 

medicines stable and safe.

• Develop a new form of Raman Spectroscopy to determine rapidly that protein medicines are properly 

folded.

• Develop a mass spectral library to help detect and identify contaminant proteins from the host cells used to 

manufacture protein medicines.

• Develop a mass spectral library of cell surface proteins that are important in the biological pathways of 

disease and potential targets of therapeutics.

• Determine the genetic stability of cell lines used to manufacture protein therapeutics.

• Develop high resolution NMR and isotopic labeling methods to produce atomic resolution, 3-D structural 

maps of monoclonal antibodies, the largest class of protein therapeutics.

• Use neutron scattering methods to understand at a molecular level why protein therapeutics can unfold and 

form particles during manufacturing and during administration to patients.

7 Funded + 3 Projects Under NIST-MedImmune CRADA
65

Your (SANS) measurements and analysis 

indicated to our development group that 

the virus structure was compromised in 

the formulation that was used at that 

time. This had a direct effect on our 

decision to find a proper formulation 

that has resulted in a stable 

preparation that has recently been 

approved by European regulators.

IMLYGIC

Injectable formulation of T-VEC for 

treatment of melanoma

Arnold McAuley

Amgen Senior Scientist

Approved by FDA in October 2015

Neutrons Help Amgen with Formulation of Anti-cancer Drug: T-VEC 

NIST Measurements Assisting Industry
66

Quantum Science
67

Einstein was Wrong about Quantum Mechanics!

 Bell Inequality (1964) gives a method to experimentally determine if there are 

“hidden local variables” (Einstein) or if the quantum mechanical description of 

nature is complete (Bohr)

– Implicates issues of: localism (no instantaneous cause-and-effect 

occurring over large distances), realism (truth not depending on 

observation), determinism (presence or absence of free will), possible 

existence of influences we inherently cannot detect (“hidden variables”)

 Many experiments since 1972 have violated Bell’s inequality but there are 

always experimental limitations (“loopholes”)

 NIST demonstrated a new, “loophole free” experiment: “Strong Loophole-Free 

Test of Local Realism” Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 250402 (2015), Lyden K. Shalm et 

al.

 NIST’s high efficiency single-photon detectors were key missing component in 

enabling this experiment, as well as a similar experiment performed in Vienna

 Top Science in 2015: American Physical Society, Science News, Gizmodo

 Will fuel further debate about the nature of nature

PRL cover of 18 Dec 2015 shows 

a picture of John Stewart Bell with 

a mosaic of other images of key 

contributors to Bell inequality 

experiments, including NIST 

research team
68

Einstein was Wrong about Quantum Mechanics!

What We Did

- Entangled photon pairs (EPPs) created in 

the Source Lab (S)

- Efficiently coupled to optical fiber and 

transmitted to the Alice Lab (A) and the Bob 

Lab (B) 

- Fast random number generators select a 

measurement basis while EPPs are en 

route

Loopholes?

 Locality Loophole: labs are sufficiently far 

apart, and the single-photon detectors fast 

enough

 Fair Sampling Loophole: NIST-only high 

efficiency single-photon detectors key 

elements

Data Analysis 

- Hypothesis testing concludes there’s a 

really, really, really small chance that Local 

NIST Boulder, Building 1 (Radio Building) Realism can explain our data!
69

A whole-of-government effort to maximize the benefits of high-performance computing

Vital Statistics

• Executive Order announced July 29, 2015

• Tasks NIST with foundational research and development

“NIST will focus on measurement science to support future computing technologies”

• Prominent in FY 2017 budget discussions at interagency level

• NIST Technical Lead: Carl Williams (Deputy Director, PML)

Possible program elements

Software

• Architectures

• Algorithms 

• Applications 

Hardware

• Superconducting Computing

• Neuromorphic (Brain-like) Computing

• Quantum Computing

Both

• Software / Hardware Co-Design

National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI)
70

Update on Challenge Prizes
71

Update: Head Health Challenge III - Advanced Materials for Impact Mitigation

• A Public-Private Challenge Prize to stimulate the development of 

advanced materials that exhibit excellent energy absorbing /dissipating 

properties

• Employs NIST expertise in materials testing and assessment

• Inspired by the National Materials Genome Initiative (MGI)

− January 29, 2015: NFL SuperBowl Press Conference

− February 2, 2015: Challenge III Opens

− March 2015: 125 Abstracts Received

− April 2015: 75 Winning Abstracts invited to submit full proposal and a 

material sample

o Summer 2015: NIST tested the submitted samples; met with judges 

and selected 5 semifinalists

− October 2015: the 5 First Round Awardees receive $250,000 each; 

begin work to refine materials 

− September 2016: Grand Prize Winner awarded $500,000

NIST is leveraging Challenge III to 

expand MGI-related activities in 

advanced protection materials

MML engineers prepare to 

drop a red instrumented 

weight onto a sample of 

material being proposed for 

use as a component of 

helmets. The platform that 

the sample sits on is also 

instrumented to measure 

the distribution of forces 

transmitted through the 

material. 
72

First-Round Awardees: Head Health Challenge III - Advanced 

Materials for Impact Mitigation

• Alba Technic, LLC (Winthrop, Maine) 

− patented, shock-absorbent honeycomb material with an outer layer that diverts the energy from a fall or hit. 

− upon impact, the outer layer changes into a hard shell to spread the energy and protect the user from injury. 

• Charles Owen Inc. (Lincolnton, Ga.) 

− material with a stacked, origami-like design can fold efficiently to optimize energy absorption. 

− material based on originally developed for applications such as solar array packing for space industry.

• Corsair Innovations (Plymouth, Mass.) 

− a textile that uses tiny, spring-like fibers to repel rotational and linear impacts,

− is washable, breathable, wicks sweat and can be easily engineered to meet impact performance requirements.

• Dynamic Research Inc. (Torrance, Calif.) and 6D Helmets LLC 

− 6D’s single-impact suspension technology is being evolved for use in repeated impact conditions. 

− 6D’s multi-layer, suspended internal liner system allows the outer layer to move independently of the inner layer in 

order to reduce the effect of both angular and linear impact forces.

• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich

− a lightweight, multi-layered composite that includes a viscoelastic material. 

− material can be uniquely utilized to help limit the force of multiple and repeated impact events.
73

We asked people to build an App using at least one of these NIST Datasets: 

1. CODATA Fundamental Physical Constants (SRD 121)

2. Ground Levels and Ionization Energies for the Neutral Atoms (SRD 111)

3. Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions (SRD 144)

4. Computational Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark Database (SRD 101)

5. NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables (SRD 13)

6. ITS-90 Thermocouple Database (SRD 60)

• The NIST Standard Reference Data collection contains some of the world’s most 

accurate and comprehensive datasets of physical, materials science, chemical, and 

biological data. 

• But is there a better way to share NIST SRD with the researchers who need it? 

$45,000

In Prizes 

130+

Participants

26

Apps 

Submitted

About the 

Challenge

Nov. 

16th

Winners to be 

Announced

Reference Data Challenge
74

Winners of the Reference Data Challenge

First place: 

• Meru Lab Reference App, $30,000 to Kris Reyes from Meru Apps in Princeton, N.J. 

• allows users to quickly access NIST chemical species data with the tap of a near-field 

communication (NFC) tag, smart chips store digital information and share it with a 

smartphone. 

• Use of NFC tags enables access to relevant NIST data in a way that minimally interrupts 

users workflow and allows multiple users in a laboratory to share and store information. The 

app provides multiple functionalities for search and display of NIST SRD.

Second place: 

• LabPal app, $10,000 to Zachary Ratliff (Waco, Texas) and Daniel Graham (Danville, Ky.) 

• A quick reference tool that incorporates search features, a calculator, an infrared spectrum 

viewer and lab notes functionality that can easily be shared in one app.

Third place: 

• ChemBook app, $5,000 to a team from MetroStar Systems, Reston, Va. 

• Users can search for elements and compounds based on name, formula and even common 

terms such as moth balls or water. 

• Combines NIST SRD with other open source data and incorporates informative YouTube videos and 

other media.
75

N-STEP - NIST Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program 

• New entrepreneurship program to help accelerate the transition of NIST 

developed technologies to the marketplace. 

• Officially launched November 18, 2015 

• Program will provide up to 10 grants a year to former NIST employees, 

post-docs, and guest researchers, to turn promising NIST technologies 

into entrepreneurial careers and high-tech businesses. 

• NIST is partnering with Maryland Technology Development Corporation 

(TEDCO)

• TEDCO will administer the program, award funds, assist awardees, and 

monitor progress

• The program will fund activities nationwide.

• Enterprise taps into the unique talent pool of NIST’s post-docs providing 

them with additional resources and training to take their work to the next 

level. 
76

Topics: NIST Update

• Safety and Site Security Update

• Update on Director’s Priorities

• NIST Budget Status 

• Selected Staff Awards/Achievements

• Strategic Research and Programmatic Updates

• Agenda Review
77

VCAT Meeting Agenda: February 3-4, 2016

WEDNESDAY Morning, FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Overview and Safety

8:30 am Call to Order Roberto Padovani, VCAT Chair

8:40 am NIST Update and Agenda Review Willie E. May, 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology & NIST Director

9:40 am Discussion

9:50 am Safety Update Richard Kayser, Chief Safety Officer

10:00 am Discussion

10:10 am Break
78

VCAT Meeting Agenda: February 3-4, 2016

WEDNESDAY Morning - continued

NIST Workforce: Employee Survey results, actions and HR practices and policies 

10:20 am Context Setting Willie May, 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director

10:30 am: Improving Employee Engagement at the local level

Joannie Chin, Acting Deputy Director, Engineering Laboratory (EL)

Carroll Thomas, Director, Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Laurie Locascio, Director, Material Measurement Laboratory (MML

11:30 am HR Recruitment and Engagement Activities

Susanne Porch, Director, Office of Human Resource Management

11:50 am Ensuring a word-class scientific and technical NIST workforce: Thoughts from two NIST Fellows

Michael Moldover, NIST Fellow 

Jun Ye, NIST Fellow 

12:20 pm Discussion

12:35 pm Lunch
79

VCAT Meeting Agenda: February 3-4, 2016

WEDNESDAY Afternoon

1:30 pm Deliberations and Presentation on Observations, Findings, and Recommendations of 2015 Annual 

Report, Part 1

2:45 pm Break

NIST Laboratory Tours

3:15 pm Various NIST Lab tours

5:15 pm Meeting Adjourn

6:00 pm VCAT Reception at Gaithersburg Hilton