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The National Bureau of Standards1 was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology, 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 commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Measurement Services and the following divisions:

Applied Mathematics-Electricity-Heat-Mechanics-Optical Physics-Linac
Radiation2-Nuclear Radiation2-Applied Radiation2-Quantum Electronics3—
Electromagnetics3-Time and Frequency-Laboratory Astrophysics-Cryo-

genics3.

THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard Reference Materials and the following divisions:

Analytical Chemistry-Polymers-Metallurgy-Inorganic Materials-Reactor
Radiation-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 Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute also monitors NBS engineering standards activities and provides liaison between NBS and national and international engineering standards bodies. The Institute consists of the following technical divisions and offices:

Engineering Standards Services-Weights and Measures-Flammable Fabrics-
Invention and Innovation-Vehicle Systems Research-Product Evaluation
Technology-Building Research-Electronic Technology-Technical Analysis-
Measurement Engineering.

THE CENTER FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effectiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective utilization of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus within the executive branch 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
-Systems 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 Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum accessibility to the scientific information of the world, and directs the public information activities of the Bureau. The Office consists of the following organizational units:

Office of Standard Reference Data Office of Technical Information and
Publications-Library-Office of Public Information-Office of International

Relations.

1 Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg

ton, D.C. 20234.

2 Part of the Center for Radiation Research.

Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302.

mailing address Washing

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Peter G. Peterson, Secretary

Cyclic Designs

J. A. John

=

University of Southampton, Southampton, England

F. W. Wolock

Southeastern Massachusetts University, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747

and

H. A. David

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
with an appendix by

J. M. Cameron and J. A. Speckman

Institute for Basic Standards, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234

[blocks in formation]

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 20402
(Order by SD Catalog No. C 13.32:62), Price 75 cents.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 72-183999

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