Conference on Calculation of the Properties of Vacancies and Interstitials. Scientists from six countries participated in this conference sponsored jointly by IMR and by the Advanced Research Projects Agency. The meeting dealt with the theory and techniques used in the calculation of the properties of simple point defects in crystals. Topics discussed were: energies of formation, motion, and association of simple defects, lattice configurations near defects, localized electronic and vibrational states, and the scattering by defects of electrons and phonons. Crystal growth Conference Proceedings Published. The proceedings of a 1966 Crystal Growth Conference have been published under the editorship of a member of the IMR scientific staff with the collaboration and advice of leading experts from 18 countries and the United States. The proceedings constitute a summary of present knowledge on the mechanisms and techniques of crystal growth. The conference, organized with aid from NBS staff, dealt with the great impact of crystal growth studies on science and technology, their actual and potential use in automation, servo-control, communication, computation, domestic appliances, and almost all chemical, ceramic, and metallurgical processes. Corrosion Dialogue. This symposium, which was jointly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and NBS in cooperation with the Naval Research Laboratory, was designed to bring about a dialogue between workers conducting basic and applied research in the field of aqueous corrosion. Communication between these groups is frequently poor because of diverse points of view and differences in professional goals. A better understanding of the overall problems faced by both groups is essential in working toward eventual solution of individual problems. The symposium attempted to achieve this understanding by presenting widely recognized, representative speakers from both areas and encouraging open discussions among those actively engaged in the aqueous corrosion field. Fourteenth Feld Emission Symposium.-The Fourteenth Annual Field Emmission Symposium was sponsored jointly by NBS, the Office of Naval Research, and Georgetown University, and held at NBS and Georgetown University. Sixty-eight technical papers were presented dealing with field-electron and field-ion microscopy and related topics. The symposium brought attendees up-to-date on the most recent concepts and developments in the area of field emission. Symposium on Ceramic Materials.-A one-day symposium on ceramic materials and their properties was held at NBS Gaithersburg. The program, which was intended both for ceramists and for engineers and scientists whose specialties are in other fields, provided a concise introduction to ceramic materials and their properties. Open House.-An open house was held for the American Welding Society and the American Society for Metals. The organization and programs of NBS were presented with emphasis on metallurgy. A tour of NBS facilities followed. Metals Science Field Day.-In cooperation with the Washington Chapter, American Society for Metals (ASM), a Metals Science Field Day at NBS was held on Saturday, January 21, 1967. The Field Day was designed to introduce science teachers and students in the metropolitan Washington area to the world of the metallurgist and the metals scientist. The program featured lectures on metallurgical subjects, a tour of the NBS Metallurgy Division facilities and a panel discussion. NBS Reactor The NBS high-flux, tank-type, heavy water moderated reactor is nearing operational status. The reactor will operate initially at 10 megawatts, with an in-pile flux of 1014 neutrons per square centimeter per sec. In collaboration with other divisions of NBS, with other Government agencies and with universities, the reactor group will perform research in solid state and chemical physics using the techniques of neutron scattering and diffraction. There will be investigations of the structural and dynamical properties of molecules, crystals liquids, and magnetic materials via neutron elastic and inelastic scattering. INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY The basic mission of the Institute for Applied Technology (IAT) is to provide services that support and stimulate the application of science and technology to national needs. In the pursuit of this broad objective, IAT programs are oriented to industry, to the States and regions of the country and to all levels of Government. Program activities are selected which are uniquely appropriate to the NBS mission and primary support is given to those projects in fields of particular competence in the Bureau. The Institute cooperates with industry to facilitate the use of new technology. It provides technical advice and support to Government agencies, concentrating on those areas in which it can provide leadership in applying new technology to Government operations. The IAT program activities reflect the Institute role as a part of NBS and the national measurement system, and as a participant in the fast-moving national technological scene. The coupling of science and technology with the daily activities of industry, commerce and Government motivates much of the Institute planning and operation. Its activities fall into two major categories-Technological Measurements and Standards, and the Transfer of Technology. TECHNOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS This category covers the Institute efforts for the broader extension of the national measurement system into the engineering and technological fields. It is a program to apply principles of good measurement, rather well defined in the science area, to the determination of performance or other significant characteristics of products, systems and devices important either in commerce or to Government needs. In essence, the objective is to find ways by which standards can be developed for items, systems or devices which are not readily evaluated in terms of existing measurement methods. The key in the development of effective performance standards is the identification of significant criteria which charcaterize the performance of a product, after which the methodology for measuring these criteria is evolved. As the complexity and technical sophistication of articles of commerce increase, it is increasingly difficult to define those characteristics of a product which best measure its performance. Often products are now "systems" and the subjective response of man is also part of the "system." To illustrate this point, one can compare the job of measuring the performance of a radio of 30 years ago and that of measuring the performance of a modern "home entertainment center" which includes stereo reproduction of records, tapes, AM-FM radio, and also color television. The concept of performance criteria as the basis for establishing standards has significant implications in the stimulation of innovation, for it encourages producers to meet the performance required by whatever design of product will do the job. In fact, the idea of performance criteria has ramifications beyond those concerned with articles of commerce. Our national welfare depends critically on making informed decisions related to complex social and economic policies and programs. To do this, one needs to define criteria of performance for these policies and programs and be able to measure or predict possible benefits and costs of alternative action courses. Through the techniques of systems analysis and operations research, technology has provided a means for helping such decision-making. Institute activities in technological measurements and standards range from the development of performance criteria and test methodology for individual items to the study and analysis of complex systems such as a multi-State transportation network. Program elements include seven areas: 1. Building Technology 2. Automatic Data Processing 3. Electronics Technology 4. Systems Analysis 5. Motor Vehicle Safety 6. Engineering Materials 7. Industrial and Consumer Products. BUILDING TECHNOLOGY Buildings represent over half of the existing tangible wealth of this country. Aside from long-term economic significance, the annual building production is in the range of $100 billion, with an effect in every village, town, and city in the country. Yet this major economic activity has never really entered the mass-production stage of industrialization, and hand craftsmen still play a central role in the construction field. However, climbing building costs are accelerating the move to industrialization of building construction, and this change is already presenting pressing needs for advanced methods of evaluation, and for standardization of test procedures and performance requirements for complex components. The objective of the IAT building technology program is to develop the technological base and evaluative procedures whereby industrial innovation in building systems and components can be used more effectively through the normal building code, standards, and specification process. Laboratory and field support is provided to Federal agencies and State and local Government groups |