National Physical Laboratory

4 minute read NPL and Vodafone have successfully completed a set of trials using the NPLTime® service as an alternative to GPS-timing signals. Requirements for precise time delivery have driven the telecoms sector toward the increased use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for accurate timing. There are various alternatives to GNSS, each with their own capabilities, but GNSS has become the default mechanism for most sectors to access timing signals.

The reliability of SiC power devices is a critical factor in determining performance and predicting failure timelines, particularly under high temperature and high voltage operating conditions. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Swansea University have jointly developed and standardised multichannel high temperature reverse bias (HTRB) test systems capable of parallel testing at up to 1500 V under elevated temperature reversed bias conditions.

3 minute read Artificial Intelligence is no longer a technology of the future. It’s here, shaping decisions in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, infrastructure and even the way we interact with knowledge every day. Yet as AI becomes more embedded in society, one question has become impossible to ignore: How do we know we can trust it?

4 minute read Sam Flynn shares his experience of the Kamal Hossain International Secondment Scheme. Month six: innovation, imaging and international perspectives Hello, I’m Sam Flynn, and I work in the Radiotherapy and Radiation Dosimetry group at NPL. I’m currently on secondment at the Metrology Research Centre within the National Research Council (NRC) in Canada.

This webinar will explore how NPL’s unique tribological measurement capability evaluates the friction and wear performance of advanced materials to generate value by informing business decisions. Precision tribology testing at NPL develops applications-based solutions for complex systems substantiated by measurement science.

2 minute read Building on the 10 Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, today’s National Cancer Plan published by the Department of Health and Social Care <link to be added> recognises the vital importance of early detection, faster and more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

4 minute read NPL ,in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Met Office, Team Plymouth and the University of Plymouth, has announced the launch of the first stage of its dedicated Maritime Autonomy sensor and weather test range in Plymouth Sound. Located on the Breakwater Fort, this milestone marks a significant step forward for the Maritime Autonomy Assurance Testbed (MAAT) programme and Plymouth’s development as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy.

3 minute read NPL has worked with The University of Manchester and 15 leading research institutes worldwide to demonstrate the ability to accurately measure graphene’s thickness at the atomic level. A new global standard has been developed through this work, ISO/TS 21356-2, allowing graphene to move one step closer to transforming everyday technology. Graphene is often called a ‘wonder material’ because it’s incredibly strong, light and conductive.

Join NPL and project partners as we share the UK’s roadmap for metrology and standardisation in semiconductors The UK semiconductor sector is advancing rapidly, but scaling technologies requires more than foundry capacity. It demands trusted measurement frameworks and internationally recognised standards to support innovation, reduce risk and accelerate the growth of national supply chains.

4 minute read The Metrology Technician apprenticeship standard was first introduced in 2017, to develop essential metrology skills, which are fundamental to a wide spectrum of sectors and industries including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and space. Measurement skills enable organisations and businesses to increase confidence in specifications and performance and boost productivity.