Metrology is the science of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units critical to measuring any human activity.
No matter how complex science metrology is, the tasks of metrology were defined as far back as the 18th century. This led to the creation in 1795 of a decimal metric system that established a set of standards for other types of measurements. Several other countries adopted this system between 1795 and 1875.
In order to create common world standards in accordance with the Metric Convention, the International Bureau for the Suppression of System Deviations (BIPM) was established. This resulted in the creation of the International System of Units as a result of a resolution adopted in 1960. Thus, the main tasks of metrology have become even more global. Now this is one of the sciences on which the fate of mankind almost depends, because it determines the norms adopted throughout the world.
Tasks of metrology, standardization, certification
This science is divided into three main types. The first is the definition of units of measurement (the point of contact with standardization), the second is the implementation of these units in practice. Also, its tasks include a kind of tracking, which connects measurements taken in practice with reference standards (certification). Specialists in this field are trained to solve the problems of metrology / certification, which are extremely important in any applied field.
Subfields
The subfields are scientific or fundamental metrology, which are associated with the establishment of units of measurement, applied, technical or industrial, dealing with their application to production and other processes in society, as well as legislative, which covers regulation and regulations, requirements for tools and methods. Tasks with the solution of metrology / standardization are used to train specialists in each of these areas.
Legislative aspect
Each country has a national measurement system (NMS) in the form of a network of laboratories, calibration centers and accreditation bodies that implement and maintain a metrological infrastructure. NMS influences how measurements are carried out in the country, as well as their recognition by the international community, which is of great importance for the whole society, including the economy, energy, environment, healthcare, manufacturing, industry and consumer confidence. For training novice specialists in this field, tasks in metrology are used, with which students usually do not have problems.
The impact of this science on trade and the economy is one of the most easily observed social consequences of its widespread adoption. To ensure fair trade, there must be a coherent measurement system that this science provides.
History
Standardization is critical to the significance of measurements. The first permanent standard was recorded in 2900 BC. e., when the royal Egyptian elbow was carved from black granite as a metric standard. The elbow was defined as the length of the forearm of the pharaoh plus the width of his arm, and this standard was given to all builders in Egypt. The success of a standardized length for the construction of pyramids is indicated by the lengths of their bases, differing by no more than 0.05%.
Other civilizations introduced generally accepted standards of measures, equaling Roman and Greek architecture. The collapse of the empire and the ensuing dark ages triggered a loss of knowledge about measures and standardization. Although local systems were common, comparability was difficult because many of them were incompatible. In 1196, standards for counting lengths were created in England, and the Magna Carta of 1215 even included a separate section for measuring units of wine and beer.
New time
Modern metrology originates from the French Revolution. The revolutionaries created a single chamber of measures and weights to unify everything that could be measured. To teach this science, special tasks in metrology were formulated, with the solution of which even novice scientists at first might have difficulties.
In March 1791, a standard meter was defined. This led to the creation in 1795 of a decimal metric system setting standards for other types of measurements. Several other countries adopted the metric system between 1795 and 1875.
Although the initial mission of BIPM was to create international standards for units of measure and bring them in line with national standards, the field of competence of the bureau has expanded due to scientific progress. Now it includes electrical, photometric units and standards for measuring ionizing radiation. The metric system was modernized in 1960 with the creation of the International System of Units as a result of the adoption of a resolution at one of the thematic international conferences.
International level
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) defines metrology as the science of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units critical to human activity.
Metrology is a vast field, but it can be generalized using three main activities:
- Definition of units of measure recognized around the world;
- putting these units into practice;
- the use of tracking chains (linking to reference standards).
These concepts are to varying degrees applicable to three main areas of metrology:
- scientific;
- applied, technical or industrial;
- legislative.
Various international bureaus are engaged in everything that metrology, standardization and certification are devoted to - tasks and solutions, invention of new measures, improvement of old ones. All of these are standardization and certification organizations.
Scientific metrology
Scientific metrology is associated with the creation of units of measurement, the development of new methods, the implementation of standards and the monitoring of their compliance in all instances. This also includes the compilation of tasks and solutions for standardization, certification, metrology.
This type of metrology is considered the highest level of development of this science, striving for the highest degree of accuracy. BIPM maintains a database of peer-reviewed metrological calibration and measurement capabilities and institutes around the world. In measurements, BIPM identified nine areas of metrology, which include acoustics, electricity and magnetism, length, mass and related quantities, photometry and radiometry, ionizing radiation, time and frequency, thermometry and chemistry.
Recent events
Given the increase in the number of metrology tasks, it was decided to supplement metrology and bring it to the international level. Later, a new definition of SI base units was proposed, which was officially approved in November 2018 and will enter into force in May 2019.
The motivation for changing the base units is to make the whole system deducible from physical constants, which requires the removal of the kilogram prototype, since this is the last artifact on which the definitions of units depend. Scientific metrology plays an important role in this redefinition of units, since their exact determination requires a meticulous determination of physical constants.
Practical and industrial metrology
The applied, technical or industrial field of this science relates to the application of measurements to production and other processes and their use in society, to ensure the suitability of devices, their calibration and quality control. Given the tasks of metrology, industrial and applied metrology is sometimes incorrectly identified with all this multifaceted science due to the fact that of all its fields it is the most noticeable for the average person.
The implementation of quality measurements is important in industry, as it affects the cost and quality of the final product and 10-15% on production costs. Although the emphasis in this area of metrology is on the measurements themselves, tracking device calibration is necessary to ensure accuracy. Recognition of metrological competence in industry can be achieved through mutual recognition, accreditation or peer review agreements. Industrial metrology is important for the economic and industrial development of a country, and its goals in a particular country may indicate its economic status.
Legal metrology
Given all of the above tasks of metrology, legislative metrology plays a very supportive role, and here's why. The fact is that it is a legal subtype of this science and concerns activities that arise from the requirements established by law for direct measurement, the establishment of units, devices and methods for its implementation. Such legal requirements may arise from the need to protect health, public safety, the environment, taxation, consumer protection and fair trade.
Thematic organizations dedicated to this type of metrology are being established around the world to help harmonize rules across national borders to ensure that legal requirements do not impede trade.