NISTs

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, commonly known as NIST, is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. NIST was founded in 1901 as the National Bureau of Standards and officially changed its name to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 1988.

NIST's work is fundamental to the nation's economy and security. It develops and maintains the physical and scientific standards essential for trade, industry, and science. This includes research into areas such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and health and biology. The institute provides essential measurement services, disseminates standards, and conducts research to help U.S. industries develop new products and processes.

The institute operates two main campuses: one in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and a second in Boulder, Colorado. NIST's research spans a wide range of scientific and technological disciplines, and its findings are often published in scientific journals and made available to the public. Its work supports a variety of sectors, including healthcare, energy, communications, and defense, by providing the accurate measurements and reliable standards needed for innovation and commercialization. NIST also plays a critical role in promoting cybersecurity best practices and standards to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.