A UNITED STATE9
 DEPARTMENT OF
 COMMERCE
 PUBLICATION


       U.S.
DEPARTMENT
        OF
 COMMERCE
    National
     Bureau
        of
   Standards

NBS MDNDGRAPH 91

                       NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
The National Bureau of Standards  was established by an act of Congress March 3,1901. Today,
in addition to serving as the Nation's central measurement laboratory, the Bureau is a principal
focal point in the Federal Government for assuring maximum application of the physical and
engineering sciences to the advancement of technology in industry and commerce. To this end
the Bureau conducts research and provides central national services in four broad program
areas. These are:  (1) basic measurements and standards,     (2)  materials measurements and
standards, (3) technological measurements and standards, and (4) transfer of technology.
The Bureau comprises the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the
Institute for Applied Technology, the Center for Radiation Research, the Center for Computer
Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs.
THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United
States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system with
measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and
uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and com-
merce. The Institute consists of an Office of Measurement Services and the following technical
divisions:
      Applied Mathematics-Electricity-Metrology-Mechanics-Heat-Atomic and Molec-
      ular Physics-Radio Physics -"-Radio Engineering 2-Time         and Frequency -"-Astro-
      physics -"~Cryogenics.
THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to im-
proved methods of measurement standards, and      data on the properties of well-characterized
materials needed by industry, commerce, educational   institutions, and Government; develops,
produces, and distributes standard reference materials; relates the physical and chemical prop-
erties of materials to their behavior and their interaction with their environments; and provides
advisory and research services to other Government agencies. The Institute consists of an Office
of Standard Reference Materials and the following divisions:
      Analytical Chemistry-Polymers-Metallurgy-Inorganic Material~Physical Chemistry.
THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote
the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Gov-
ernment; cooperates with public and private organizations in the development of technological
standards, and test methodologies; and provides advisory and research services for Federal, state,
and local government agencies. The Institute consists of the following technical divisions and
offices:
      Engineering Standards-Weights and Measures - Invention and Innovation - Vehicle
      Systems Research-Product Evaluation-Building Research-Instrument Shops-Meas-
      urement Engineering-Electronic Technology-Technical Analysis.
THE CENTER FOR RADIATION RESEARCH engages in research, measurement, and ap-
plication of radiation t~ the solution of Bureau mission problems and the problems of other agen-
cies and institutions. i['he Center consists of the following divisions:
      Reactor Radiation-Linac Radiation-Nuclear Radiation-Applied Radiation.
THE CENTER FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and
provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in the selection, acquisition,
and effective use of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus
for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing equipment, techniques,
and computer languages. The Center consists of the following offices and divisions:
      Information Processing Standards-Computer Information - Computer Services - Sys-
      tems Development-Information Processing Technology.
THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and
accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal
government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and a
system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measure-
ment System, and provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum ac-
cessibility to the scientific information of the  world. The Office consists of the following
organizational units:
      Office of Standard Reference Data~learinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical
      Information :~~Office of Technical  Information and Publications-Library-Office of
      Public Information-Office of International Relations.
 Headquartero and Laboratorie~ at Gaitheraburg, Maryland, unleoa otherwior noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234.
- Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302.
~ Located at 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22151.