www.advmat.de www.MaterialsViews.com © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Adv. Mater. 2011, 23, 317–318 317 wileyonlinelibrary.com EDITORIAL development of new advanced materials for commercial use. NIST focuses on the underlying measurements needed for all companies competing in a particular sector, i.e., the important pre-competitive technical work that is needed to advance the field rather than one company in particular. We develop measurement methods for physical/chemical proper- ties and structure; processing, flow, and transport; and functional properties and performance (electrical, optical, biolog- ical, mechanical) of polymers and com- plex fluids. Measurement development has often accompanied fundamental break- throughs in polymer science within the Division. Novel measurements have lead to theoretical advances; precision measurements of semicrystalline poly- mers, polymer blends, and piezoelectric polymers resulted in leading theories of polymer morphology and crystallization kinetics, phase separation kinetics, and the current model for piezoelectric poly- mers, respectively. Alternatively, theo- retical developments have often resulted in breakthroughs in polymer meas- urements and standards, such as the BKZ theory of non-linear viscoelasticity resulting in improved measurements of mechanical properties and theories for polymer chains in solution resulting in methods and standards for molecular mass distribution. Currently, the Polymers Division con- sists of nearly one hundred scientists with a broad portfolio of research that includes advanced imaging measure- ments of the interaction of biological systems with polymer materials, small- angle neutron and X-ray scattering measurements of nanostructured materials, the separation and purifica- tion of single-wall carbon nanotubes, and the development of new tests for the reliability of soft body armor. The Division works closely with industry, government, and university partners to ensure that the critical measurement needs of the Nation are being met. For example, the Division has worked with International SEMATECH and Intel on identifying the potential limits of next- generation photoresist materials; the National Institutes of Health on stand- ards development for dental materials; and with university groups around the world including Seoul National Univer- sity, Stanford University, the Univer- sity of Delaware, and the University of Colorado. Recent progress in some of these major areas is highlighted in this spe- cial issue. The unrelenting drive to shorter lengthscales in microelec- tronics presents new challenges in control of chemical and physical proc- esses at molecular dimensions. Three papers highlight recent advances understanding and controlling these processes. One paper focuses on char- acterization of the complex interplay of chemistry and transport for photoresist development. Another paper focuses on high-performance mold materials for nano-imprint lithography. The final paper highlights progress in identi- fying the potential limits and power of self-assembled nanoscale patterns with block copolymer thin films. Much of the work the Polymers Divi- sion does revolves around development of new and powerful characterization Established in 1962, the Polymers Division in the Material Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will soon celebrate its 50th year as a world leader in polymers research. The mis- sion of the NIST Polymers Division is to serve as the Nation’s reference labo- ratory responsible for producing the measurement methods, standards, and data needed to advance the manufac- ture and use of “soft” materials (poly- mers and complex fluids), with the goal of improving industrial competitive- ness and addressing national needs. The NIST mission is unique because the work of the organization focuses on a facilitation role for technology development in the United States through a combination of strict objec- tivity and the highest levels of technical expertise. In order to maintain the broadest impact in facilitating technical competiveness, the Polymers Division advances the measurement science of polymers and complex fluids rather than engage in the DOI: 10.1002/adma.201004238 Eric K. Lin* and Marcus Cicerone* Advancing Technology Through Measurement Science in the NIST Polymers Division Dr. E. K. Lin Chief Polymers Division Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA E-mail: eric.lin@nist.gov Dr. M. Cicerone Polymers Division – Biomaterials Group Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA E-mail: marcus.cicerone@nist.gov