Metrological framework to support accurate, reliable, and reproducible nucleic acid measurements

Nucleic acid analysis is used in many areas of life sciences such as medicine, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Accurate, reliable measurements of nucleic acids are crucial for maximum impact, yet users are often unaware of the global metrological infrastructure that exists to support these measurements. In this work, we describe international efforts to improve nucleic acid analysis, with a focus on the Nucleic Acid Analysis Working Group (NAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM). The NAWG is an international group dedicated to improving the global comparability of nucleic acid measurements; its primary focus is to support the development and maintenance of measurement capabilities and the dissemination of measurement services from its members: the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs). These NMIs and DIs provide DNA and RNA measurement services developed in response to the needs of their stakeholders. The NAWG members have conducted cutting edge work over the last 20 years, demonstrating the ability to support the reliability, comparability, and traceability of nucleic acid measurement results in a variety of sectors.

Metrology for biomethane conformity assessment: measure trace gas impurities in biomethane

To facilitate the use of biomethane in existing transmission and distribution infrastructures, CEN/TC 408 developed specifications (EN 16723) for injecting biomethane into the natural gas grids and using it as a transport fuel. Currently, the test methods cited in EN 16723 lack metrological aspects and have not been specifically developed for biomethane. To address this need, ISO/TC193/SC1/WG25 “Biomethane” has been created to work on standardized methods. To assess conformity of biomethane with the specification and to provide essential input to WG25, test methods are being developed in this research for a group of impurities such as siloxanes, halogenated volatile organic compounds, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride. A further objective of this research is to develop fit-for-purpose measurement standards for these parameters, to enable SI-traceable calibration and facilitate accurate measurement results. An overview of the progress made with respect to the development of measurement standards and test methods for trace level concentrations of impurities is presented, with a focus on static measurement standards of siloxanes and halogenated volatile organic compounds, dynamic gas standards of HCl and HF, as well as corresponding test methods based on gas chromatography and spectroscopic techniques. The work presented is pivotal for the development of metrological infrastructure for biomethane conformity assessment.

New strain gauge-based torque reference chain offering smallest measurement uncertainties

New measurement approaches for mechanical quantities based on strain gauge technology offer one feature above all else: the possibility to realize smallest measurement uncertainties. This is particularly important for metrological infrastructure, i.e. realization of metrological traceability chain to support applications in aerospace or in automotive industry. Achievements toward smaller measurement uncertainties are shown by realization of a novel torque reference sensor TN with improved usability for inter-laboratory comparisons in combination with a surprisingly compact precision amplifier called Quantum MX238B.

Metrology for drug delivery

In various recently published studies, it is argued that there are underestimated risks with infusion technology, i.e., adverse incidents believed to be caused by inadequate administration of the drugs. This is particularly the case for applications involving very low-flow rates, i.e., <1 ml/h and applications involving drug delivery by means of multiple pumps. The risks in infusing are caused by a lack of awareness, incompletely understood properties of the complete drug delivery system and a lack of a proper metrological infrastructure for low-flow rates. Technical challenges such as these were the reason a European research project “Metrology for Drug Delivery” was started in 2011. In this special issue of

Challenges and perspectives of regional cooperation within COOMET - The Euro-Asian Regional Metrology Organization

The creation of the metrological infrastructure providing traceable results of the measurement is one of the major tasks of COOMET member-countries from Central Asia and to Caucasian Region. COOMET successfully cooperates in developing the basic metrology infrastructures of these countries. In accordance with strategic aims COOMET also supports metrological knowledge transfer and developing technical competence for innovations and scientific research. For the purpose of implementing joint research projects a TC 5 was established. Cooperation within TC 5 aims at activating the NMIs of COOMET member countries in the global integration process in science, technology and high-end manufacturing.

Establishing a metrological infrastructure and traceability of electrical power and energy in the R. Macedonia

In the paper the current state and the establishment of metrology infrastructure and traceability of the measurements of electrical power and energy, i.e. the creation of conditions for unity of power and energy measurements, international comparability of the results and measurements which insure fair trade and consumers' protection are elaborated. Beside the legal, also other aspects are discussed, like the needs for calibration and verification in the field of electrical power and energy, participants in the chain of measurements and trade with electrical energy, the organization, the infrastructure, the methods and the systems of calibration and verification. An organization and certain documents which will contribute to the establishment of a system in accordance with the international standards and practice, as well as traceability and fair trade, are proposed.