UK National Physical Laboratory Open Day

On World Measurement Day, Thursday May 20, 2010, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) at Teddington, Middlesex will be holding an open day for the first time in over twenty years.

The NPL will be open between 10am and 4pm on Thursday May 20. To attend you must pre-register at http://www.npl.co.uk/open-day/

As the UK's National Measurement Institute, NPL develops and maintains the nation's primary measurement standards, to ensure accuracy and consistency around the world. As well as showing off the metre, the kilogram and the second, we will have a variety of science laboratories open as well as a programme of short talks and an exhibition to showcase our world-leading science.

Watch these video introductions to some of the laboratories that will be open on May 20:

Surface and nanoanalysis

Acoustic chambers

Rotatable hot box

The time scale laboratory

National FreeForm Centre

Microwave anechoic chamber

There will be 35 laboratories/exhibits open to visitors, with scientists involved in the cutting edge of research on hand, including:

- Graphene: A one atom thick new material based on carbon
- The wonder of optical technology
- Caesium fountain
- The national standard kilogram
- Fuel cell technology

Talks, open to all, will take place throughout the day:

11:00 hrs

- Ambient Mass Spectrometry: The future for instant chemical analysis
- Nature's Nanomachines: Understanding Biological Molecules Through Single Molecule Measurements

12:00 hrs

- Soundscapes and action plans: the need for a new metrology of noise perception
- Graphene: A new exciting material based on Carbon

13:00 hrs

-Be Amazed: NPL's achievements past and present

14:00 hrs

- The redefinition of the kilogram - what, why, how and when?
- How do you really know what the temperature is?

15:00 hrs

- A short (!) history of the metre and length standards
- Time and frequency using atomic clocks

For more information or registration visit:
http://www.npl.co.uk/open-day/