The BIPM's offices and laboratories art at the Pavillon de Breteuil, Sèvres, France (close to Paris).
The BIPM looks after the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK) for the CGPM. It provides laboratory services for the CGPM and CIPM. Member states use the BIPM laboratories when they check their own copy of the kilogram against the IPK. The BIPM offices are also the headquarters for the CGPM and CIPM.
In 1875 the convention only dealt with standardization of the kilogram and the metre. The convention was revised in 1921 to accommodate all physical measurements. In 1933 the CGPM approved efforts that were being made to merge electrical and photometry units into the metric system.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century many new units of measure were defined using the metric system. Units of measure used in electrostatic applications, electromagnetic applications and electrical distribution systems were incompatible with each other. The use of standard gravity in force and pressure definitions resulted in more units of measure being defined than were necessary.
After the Second World War the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the French Government asked the BIPM to look into the matter. In 1948, the 9th CGPM asked the CIPM to conduct a study into units of measurement used by member states. The CIPM reported back and in 1954 the 10th CGPM decided to set up a new system of units. There would be six base units. These were the metre, kilogram, second, ampere, degree Kelvin (later renamed kelvin), and candela. The new system was published in 1960. The 11th CGPM named it the "International System of Units". The short name was "SI". This came from the French name, . The BIPM described SI as "the modern metric system".
Since 1960 the BIPM has made several refinements to SI. Some of the refinements include developing new ways of making high precision measurement. Other refinements include small changes to details of definitions.
The atomic clock has made very precise time-keeping possible. The earth is slowing down. A the "time of the dinosaurs" the earth rotated once every 23 hours. It is now possible to measure variations in the Earth's rotation caused by volcanoes and tsunamis. This is done by the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS). The IERS proposes leap seconds as and when these are needed. Under the Metre Convention, the BIPM has the task of coordinating over 200 atomic clocks around the world. These clocks are located in 50 different national laboratories.
Many measuring devices need to be recalibrated at regular intervals. These devices might be petrol pumps. They might be weighing scales. They might be complex medical equipment like MRI scanners. A certificate is issued when the device is recalibrated. The device that is used to do the calibration must itself be calibrated. These devices are often recalibrated in a national metrology laboratory. Legal problems can arise if a calibration done in one country is not recognised in another country.
Some countries are full members of the CGPM and have a vote at CGPM meetings. These countries have their own copy of the prototype kilogram. They also take part in the CIPM MRA program.
Other countries are associate members. They take part on the CIPM MRA program. They may speak at CGPM meetings but not to vote at these meetings. They do not have their own copies of the prototype kilogram.
(1877) <br>
At its 21st meeting (October 1999), the CGPM created the category of "associate" for those states not yet members of the BIPM and for economic unions.
The following international organisations have signed the CIPM MRA:
(1970–2012)<br>
Western horse
The Western horse (or Equus occidentalis) was a species of horse that inhabited North America during the Pleistocene. It is now extinct.
It was a stoutly built animal. It resembled the extinct quagga or the modern zebra, although it was not a close relative of either or these species.
Tavastia (historical province)
Tavastia is an historical province in Finland.
Tavastia is now divided between four regions of Finland. These are Tavastia Proper, Päijänne Tavastia, Pirkanmaa and Central Finland.
Town &amp; Country
Town & Country is a romantic comedy movie from 2001. This movie is about an architect named Porter whose life begins coming apart. The movie is also about deceitful friends. Goldie Hawn plays Mona Morris. Andie MacDowell plays Eugenie. Jenna Elfman plays Auburn.
The movie was released on April 27, 2001 by Warner Bros. The reviews were very negative. Both critics and audiences did not like this movie. It bombed in the box office. Its intake was only barely US$10.5 million over a budget of $90 million.
Imperial Highness
Imperial Highness is a style of address traditionally used by members of an emperor's family. It ranks as the highest and most prestigious style used among royalty. It outranks the style of Royal Highness. The style is often associated with the title of Crown Prince.
Diego Costa
Diego da Silva Costa (born 7 October 1988) is a Brazilian-Spanish footballer which he last played as a striker for Atletico Madrid and the Spanish national football team.
He was born in Brazil and played for the Brazil national football team for the first time in 2013. However, he then chose to play for Spain. This made the Brazil manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, very angry. The Brazilian Football Confederation have even asked the country's government to remove Costa's citizenship.
In March 2014, Costa changed to the Spanish national team. This was when he was granted his Spanish citizenship. He made his first appearance against Italy and represented Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Costa spent 2 years at Barcelona Esportivo Capela, from 2004 to 2006. After this, he then began his senior career in Portugal by joining Penafiel.
In the same year as joining Braga, he was sent on a loan spell to Penafiel. He played 13 league games with 5 goals.
In 2007, Costa joined Atletico Madrid for a fee of €1.5 million. Unfortunately, he didn't get a games due to loan spells.
Diego Costa remained at Braga in 2007 but on a loan spell. This time, he made 7 league appearances, but he failed to score a goal. In the UEFA Cup, he scored his first goal in a domestic cup against Parma F.C.
He was then loaned to Celta for the 2007-08 Segunda Division season. In that season, he made an impressive 30 appearances and scored 5 goals.
Staying in the Segunda Division, he then joined on loan Albacete Balompie for the 2008-09 season. At this loan spell, he made 35 league appearances and 9 goals.
Costa was bought by Valladoid from Atletico Madrid in 2009 Transfer Window. In this 2009-10 season, he made 34 league appearances with 8 goals. But it wasn't enough to keep Valladolid in La Liga, the top division in Spain. Valladolid was eventually relegated to the Segunda División.
Costa returned to Atletico in June 2010 for an undisclosed fee. Since then, Costa has made a superb 94 league appearances and 43 league goals during his 4 year spell with the club. In his time, he suffered with a few injuries during his time. This include his hamstring injury he suffered near to the end of the 2013-14 La Liga season.
On 1 July 2014, it was announced that Chelsea had agreed a fee with Atletico to sign Costa for a fee of £32 million. He made his first league appearance against Burnley in a game which he scored in for Chelsea to win 3-1.