The Gas and Humidity Standards Group develops and supplies various kinds of gas standards metrologically traceable to the International System of Units as well as humidity standards ranging from trace amounts at ppb level of moisture to high humidity at a dew point of 95 °C. For these standards, this group conducts studies on the preparation methods of gas standards based on high-precision mass measurement and high-sensitivity spectroscopy via cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). This group also develops gas standards for greenhouse and related gases, which are topical issues, in cooperation with other observational institutes in Japan.

Use of certified reference materials (CRMs) and participation in proficiency testings (PTs) are key elements for ensuring quality control of food, environmental, and industrial product analyses. The Organic Analytical Standards Group develops accurate quantification methods for micro-organic compounds, such as pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and moisture. Based on these methods, we develop and supply highly reliable matrix-type and calibration CRMs for food, environmental, and industrial product analyses. We also organize PTs for residual pesticide analyses.

Most analytical instruments used for the determination of organic compounds such as hazardous components in foods or in the environment lack internal calibration standards, and thus require calibration with reference materials. The Organic Primary Standards Group researches and develops techniques for assessing purity or concentration of organic compounds (e.g., freezing point depression method, quantitative NMR, and titrimetry) that are traceable to the International System of Units. Although we have provided our research results in the form of certified reference materials and of calibration services to the industrial world, etc., such traceable organic reference materials are supplied insufficiently. Therefore, this group aims to establish more efficient development and supply system that can provide reliable standardss promptly and inexpensively.

In modern society which requires a great deal of energy consumption, it is important to solve various heat-related problems such as the thermal insulating of buildings for energy saving and the thermal countermeasure of electronic devices. To solve these problems, Thermophysical Properties Standards group develops measurement technologies for thermophysical properties of functional materials and supplies SI-traceable thermophysical property standards and provides a database of thermophysical property data.

Under Construction

As the nanotechnology has been advanced, the highly functional nano dimensional structures such as line patterns of semiconductor devices, thin film structures and multilayered structures have been developing, and the measurement technologies are being expected to improve the precision of nanoscale measurements. The Nanodimensional Standards Group by using the metrological atomic force microscopes and several types of scanning probe microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, transmission electron microscopes, and neutron activation analysis technologies, provides calibration services, distributes certified reference materials, promotes international standardization, and collaborates with several organizations inside and outside the AIST.

Our group develops precise measurement techniques related to material structures (X-rayCT, crystallography, X-ray diffraction analysis, solid state NMR) and material properties (thermal diffusivity of thin films, thermal resistance at interfaces, liquid viscosity at high pressures) for advanced materials. We also provide high quality and large-scale databases related to spectra for organic compounds, thermophysical properties, and solid-state NMR spectra, which are open to the public through the internet.