The Next Frontier

Make It! Measure It!

In this Challenge, use what you've learned about metrology to design a new measurement instrument or technique.

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Summary

It’s often true that our imagination outpaces our ability to explore our questions.  In science and engineering, there are many questions that are limited by our ability to measure and obtain data.  Often, answers must wait until technology and metrology catch up. We want to know what lives in Earth’s deepest caves and the galaxy’s most distant planets that our probes cannot reach.  We want to compare extremely small phenomena in hard-to-reach areas.

We don’t have to go that far away to find things that are difficult to measure because they can’t be reached or might be damaged when we try. Here’s a simple example: You want to measure the soap bubbles in your bath but cannot touch them!  Or recall your challenge at the beginning of this Mission, designing an inexpensive, disposable tool to create specs for the perfect glove. Measurement challenges are all around us. 

Scenario

Think of an area of interest—a hobby, a community issue or something you study.  Then think of a measurement challenge in that area that doesn’t have a convenient or easily accessible measurement tool.  What question would those measurements answer?  How precise would your measurement have to be to provide good data to answer your question? 

Challenge

Develop the specifications for a new measurement instrument and technique which would have the potential to help answer a unique question.  Create the rationale for why this instrument is needed, and what it can do. Include in that rationale the standard (constant) and SI units that will be used to measure and communicate the results. Your solution must:

  1. Describe a unique measurement challenge and the question it might answer.
  2. Include information about the standard used for the measurement units and the SI units that will be used.
  3. Specify the precision that would be necessary to provide reliable data to answer the challenge.
  4. Include arguments to a potential investor that your tool would serve a unique and valuable purpose.

If you need inspiration to consider the possibilities, NIST can help.

Web Link - NIST SI Redefinition - Meet the Constants