DEVELOPMENTS AT NIST Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working on the following technologies. For further information, contact the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Technology Partnerships, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2200; Telecopy: 301-869-2751. This is not an announcement of a contract action or grant. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 00-004PA, Title: Method And Apparatus For Measurement of Flow, Viscosity, Slippage, Contaminates and Dispersed Components In a Fluid Or Polymeric Stream, Description: A method and apparatus for measuring several attributes of a flowing liquid (including polymeric materials) is described. The apparatus consists of three key components: 1) A pressure and flow generating device, 2) A transparent tube through which the fluid flows and 3) An optical apparatus for measuring the fluid. The pressure generating device (piston or extruder) sends fluid into and through the transparent tube. Stroboscopic optical microscopy or optical light scattering (including one and/or two dimensional light scattering) probes the fluid. Optical microscopy is used for direct velocimetry measurements and for the visualization of a dispersed phased (such as a dispersed immiscible second fluid or solid). The optical microscope can focus at different depths in the sample and can also measure the speed at which the dispersed component is moving. This measurement enables one to construct a flow profile of the fluid from which one can determine whether the polymer is slipping at the wall of the tube, or to measure the viscosity and shear thinning characteristics of the fluid. Additionally, one can probe whether a dispersed phase is preferentially wetting the tube wall. Optical light scattering can be used to determine the shape and size of an intentionally dispersed component. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 99-038PA, Title: Hybrid Multiple Wavelength Reference Device, Description: A wavelength reference device that allows wide spectral coverage is disclosed. The device is based on multiple superimposed Bragg gratings, one of which is locked to a molecular absorption line. This lock stabilizes the referenced gratings reflected center wavelength against environmental changes. This stability is transferred to the other gratings because they are superimposed directly with the reference grating. These other gratings can have center wavelengths that are far from the reference wavelength. Wavelength accuracy of better than 10 pm has been demonstrated, and better than 1 pm is possible. The invention has several advantages over existing devices including much wider spectral coverage and is robust and rugged. WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Beth.thomas@nist.gov. Posted 04/06/00 (W-SN441970).

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