One of our ongoing efforts in related areas of research is the establishment of techniques for determining non-metallic components (such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, halogens, and sulfur), with chemical status (such as combined and free carbon) taken into consideration, in order to revise the chemical analytical methods (JIS R 1616 and 1603) for two powdered raw materials, silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which are typical non-oxide fine ceramics. Carbon, oxygen and nitrogen are extracted by combustion/gas analysis, while halogens and sulfur are extracted using a high-temperature pyrohydrolytic apparatus that operates at higher temperatures than conventional apparatus. The extracted elements are then determined by ion chromatography. Joint research with the Inorganic Standards Section, Inorganic Analytical Chemistry Division is ongoing to develop national standard materials for chemical analysis of silicon carbide powders.     �iInorganic Powder Characterization Research Group, Research Institute of Instrumentation Frontier�j

NMIJ provides certification service assistance and technical support and holds technical examinations and specified engineer training to assist appropriate operation of the Specified Measurement Laboratory Accreditation Program that started following amendment of the Measurement Law in June 2001. To improve the accuracy control and technical capability of certification laboratories that analyze chemical substances that need trace level determination of substances, particularly polychlorinated dibenzo-ρ-dioxins and related compounds, we are studying an evaluation method that is more advanced than the conventional proficiency test, and plan the international standardization of toxic chemical analytical methods in the future. In particular, we are making a detailed evaluation, including field examinations, of quality assurance and quality control data (QAQC data) for each certification laboratory concerning uncertainty of analytical values, such as blank and double measurement. Incorporation of advancement of international analytical techniques into Japanese official measurement schemes, such as JIS, also forms part of our duties in this respect. Our follow-up efforts on the research side are made continuously to maintain the high reliability of our products and services.     �iEnvironmental Measurement Group, Institute for Environmental Management Technology�j

For effective use of fuel like coal, petroleum or natural gas, it is necessary to know the heat of combustion per unit mass or unit volume of fuel. Knowledge of calorific values is also essential for appropriate management of food or forage intake. ln addition, measurement of quantity of heat is required to clarify chemical reactions or to design equipment taking advantage of the phenomena such as the decomposition or melting of materials. Heat of combustion (reaction), heat capacity, and heat of transition of substances can be measured by calorimeters. Calorimeters must be calibrated in advance by using reference calorimeters or materials. ln order to maintain traceability, NMIJ uses the Junkers type water-flow calorimeter as the standard for measuring the heat of combustion of gases, and the standard benzoic acid as the reference material to measure heat of combustion of solid or liquid fuels. Cooperation with metrological institutes in USA and Germany is also part of our effort in this respect.     �iThermal Energy Applications Research Group, Energy Technology Research Institute�j

The AIST is engaged in the development of a "liquid helium-free programmable Josephson voltage standard," as the next generation voltage standard, using NbN/TiN/NbN Josephson junctions that can be activated at about 10 K with a compact refrigerator are employed. Use of this method will be able to eliminate the use of liquid helium, which is an indispensable factor for conventional methods, and achieve significant improvements such as greatly-reduced voltage setting time (about 1/1000), greatly-increased noise tolerance (about 100 times better) and use of microwaves in the 20 GHz bandwidth instead of the conventional 90 GHz band. As a result of these improvements, the equipment itself will be simplified and enable very easy operation. It will also be able to feature considerable cost reduction, particularly of equipment costs and maintenance costs. So far, we have successfully developed a system that can generate a quantum voltage at a maximum of 1 V and plan to develop a 10 V generating system within a few years. The photo below is a 1 V chip consisting of about 32, 000 Josephson junctions.     �iSuperconducting Devices Group, Nanoelectronics Research Institute�j