Thermal
The NMS Thermal Metrology Programme ensures that measurement standards of temperature, humidity and thermophysical properties including thermal conductivity, diffusivity, emissivity, transmittance and expansion are supported and developed to meet the needs of all UK users. The programme underpins industrial competitiveness, product development, compliance with regulations, innovation and improvements to quality of life throughout the public and private sectors supporting disparate activities in areas such as the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, aerospace, power generation, process, transport, defence, metal refining, semiconductor manufacture, building and construction sectors as well as underpinning environmental and climatic measurement.
The objectives of the Thermal Metrology Programme are:
- To realise and provide support for the primary Kelvin standard and international consistence in its realization in the UK;
- To provide and develop national measurement standards in the field of temperature, thermophysical properties and humidity undertaking R&D to meet identified future measurement requirements;
- To disseminate these standards to the user community through calibration, testing and measurement services;
- To ensure that UK standards are consistent with those of other countries, particularly in Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim;
- To promote knowledge and technology transfer and the adoption of good measurement practice through the provision of information, advice and training to stakeholders
The current Thermal Metrology Programme started in April 2004 and will continue until March 2007. The programme addresses standards and measurement issues through four technical themes. These are: Theme 1: Temperature Standards; Theme 2: Humidity standards; Theme 3: Novel Technologies for Traceable Practical Standards; and Theme 4: Thermophysical Property Standards.