Metrology – the science of correct measurement – is an essential cornerstone of our industrialized society which is based on the division of labour. Metrology has an impact on practically every aspect of our lives, and metrological progress is a trailblazer for technical development and, thus, for innovation. Also, metrological progress ensures that Europe cannot only survive on the competitive international market, but that it can even take on a leading position in this competition. Given the prevailing economic and social challenges we are faced with, the role and the further development of metrology is of extraordinary strategic importance for Europe. This is also reflected in the fact that a coordinated European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) was launched with the support of the European Union – first within the scope of the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, subsequently as a measure under  Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, as the National Metrology Institute of Germany, has joined together with institutes from 22 European partner countries to form the "European Metrology Research Programme" (EMRP) under the auspices of EURAMET (European Association of National Metrology Institutes). The metrological institutes acting under this umbrella contribute jointly, through cross-border research and development, to solving the great challenges we are currently faced with – for example, efficient energy and resource management and climate change. The European Metrology Research Programme has a term of seven years and a budget of 400 million euros – half of which is contributed by the participating countries themselves, the other half by the EU. Every year, decisions on new research projects are made which are based on the vote of an international group of experts. The preceding programme, iMERA-Plus (abbreviation of: "implementing Metrology in the European Research Area"), which ran between 2007 and 2011, already had a funding volume of 64.6 million euros. With this strategy of conducting joint research, fields of interest that are particularly relevant for Europe can be investigated in a subject-specific way. This kind of research contributes significantly to overcoming the fragmentation of the funding within the European research landscape and to exploiting synergies.

Each research project has a term of three years. The contents of the projects are chosen according to Targeted Programmes (TPs), so that the research is conducted in a focused way and considerable progress is attained. On the basis of annual programme calls, the projects to be funded are determined for individual subjects. All projects are realized in close cooperation with the interested parties, among others from industry, from associations, and from organizations and institutions that are relevant for the fields of the environment or health. The network of partners from the participating member states makes it possible to provide the critical mass which is necessary to achieve, within the scope of excellent research, comprehensive progress in innovations.

PTB is participating in almost all projects in the different Targeted Programmes and is leading several comprehensive work packages or even coordinating whole projects. The following survey gives an overview of the various activities of PTB.

Overview of the Targeted Programmes

iMERA-Plus

Call 2007

 SI and Fundamental

When about 200 years ago, within the spirit of the ideal of equality of the French Revolution, "uniform measures" were to be introduced under the motto "à tous les temps, à tous les peuples" ("to all men and all times"), such measures were chosen which, at that time, were deemed to be the most stable ones: a certain fraction of the circumference of the Earth, i.e. a quadrant of it for the measure of length, and a volume derived from this measure of a widespread substance – water – for the measure of mass. To ensure the durability of these measures, they were materialized in a platinum alloy – believing that with these measures, which surpassed all the previous systems that were based on everyday life, a universal and perpetual system of units had been established.
Such a system of units, however, has to be continuously maintained and advanced, in order to meet the growing requirements from industry and society in the long run and to provide the metrological basis which is necessary for technological progress. At the moment, the activities consist in developing new standards for the measurement of mass, electric current, temperature, light and time. If the values of fundamental constants such as, e.g., the Boltzmann constant or Planck's constant are known with sufficient accuracy, they are suited as a basis for the re-definition of measurement units in the International System of Units (SI) – thereby enabling a new accuracy class. Within the scope of the Targeted Programme "SI Units and Fundamental Constants", six projects have been dedicated to these topics:

• The watt balance route towards a new definition of the kilogram
• Avogadro and molar Planck constants for the redefinition of the kilogram
• Foundations for a redefinition of the SI base unit ampere
• Determination of the Boltzmann constant for the redefinition of the kelvin
• Optical clocks for a new definition of the second
• Candela: towards quantum-based photon standards.

  Health I

"Health" is one of the central topics of society. The challenges of this topic have to be tackled to maintain and improve the quality of life in Europe. The six funded projects deal with new procedures for the early diagnosis of diseases, the investigation of biomolecules and biomarkers, as well as with methodical work on clinical chemistry and clinical medicine. The new findings are applied, e.g., to the development of new regenerative treatments and cancer therapy. In addition, procedures for the improved measurements of characteristic parameters of electric fields are being developed in order to improve, in the future, the protection of people from harmful electric fields.

• Breath analysis as a diagnostic tool for early disease detection
• Metrology on a cellular scale for regenerative medicine
• Increasing cancer treatment efficacy using 3D brachytherapy
• External Beam Cancer Therapy
• Traceable measurements for biospecies and ion activity in clinical chemistry
• Traceability of Complex Biomolecules and Biomarkers in Diagnostics - Effecting Measurement Comparability in Clinical Medicine.

  Length

Dimensional metrology is used in the most diverse fields. It is of considerable importance in environmental issues (e.g. for the description of exhaust gas particles), but also in the manufacture of machines and components as well as in surveying. The requirements placed on the tolerable uncertainties are constantly growing, so that technologies have to be improved or newly developed and put into practice. The diversity of this field of metrology also manifests itself in the four projects that are part of this Targeted Programme. The spectrum reaches from providing the metrological infrastructure necessary for the characterization of nanoparticles (< 100 nm), to the accurate and traceable measurement of complex geometrical structures with dimensions of several metres such as, e.g., aircraft components. Furthermore, new techniques are being developed to enable optical long-range measurements over several 100 m with greater accuracy by taking into account more accurately the influence of temperature and humidity variations in air on the path taken by the light beam of the measuring instrument.

• Traceable Characterisation of Nanoparticles
• New Traceability Routes for Nanometrology
• Metrology for New Industrial Measurement Technologies
• Absolute long distance measurement in air.

  Electricity and Magnetism

The metrologically validated measurement of electric and magnetic quantities such as, e.g., the ampere, the volt, the ohm or the tesla is the basis of value creation in micro- and nano-electronics, in the safeguarding of the electricity supply and in the protection of the population from exposure to harmful electromagnetic radiation. The programme "Electricity and Magnetism" consists of five research projects aimed at developing electrical metrology which contributes to meeting these economic and social challenges in Europe:

• Next generation of power and energy measuring techniques
• Nanomagnetism and Spintronics
• Next generation of quantum voltage systems for wide range applications
• Enabling ultimate metrological Quantum Hall Effect (QHE) devices
• Traceable measurement of field strength and SAR for the Physical Agents Directive.

EMRP based upon paragraph 185

Call 2009

   Energy I

For a sustainable, resource-saving and environmentally compatible energy supply in Europe, technologies are needed in the medium to long term which, at no point of the energy supply chain, cause serious damage to the environment. In particular, technologies that cause no or little release of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane are needed.

In the area "Energy", the focus lies on metrological research which, on the one hand, creates the preconditions for establishing, developing and safeguarding a sustainable energy system and, on the other hand, promotes the competitiveness of European industrial enterprises. The research activities needed for this area are conducted in nine research projects which are funded by the EU to the amount of approx. 14 million euros. These projects cover the whole energy supply chain and range from the exploitation of the potential of conventional energy sources and the investigation of new energy sources to the conversion, transport and storage of energy and to technologies enabling a further reduction of energy consumption. PTB is participating in all of these projects and is coordinating two of them.

• Greener alternatives to natural gas
• Harvesting waste energy
• Feeding gas grids
• Modernising electricity grids
• The future of lighting
• Making power plants more efficient
  
• Feeding electricity grids
• Enabling a new generation of nuclear power stations
• Fuels for the future.
  

Call 2010

    Industry I

In the "Industry" programme, the focus lies on the development of metrological methods and technologies dedicated to improving the metrological infrastructure in the various industrial sectors. The project results will contribute to maintaining and expanding the international competitiveness of European industry. The activities conducted within the scope of these projects are laying the metrological foundations for innovations and new applications in key technologies such as, e.g., sensor systems, communications and new material properties. In the Targeted Programme "Industry", 17 projects are being carried out, with a total EU funding volume of 22 million euros. PTB's strong commitment to this programme manifests itself in the high funding volume of 36 % and also in the fact that PTB is not merely participating in all these projects, but that it is also acting as a coordinator in eight of them.

• Making high temperature measurements
• Advancing the European electronics industry
• Improving high pressure measurements
• Measuring radiation in scrap metals
• Enabling polymer use in industry
• Improving data security with quantum technology
• Enabling the development of thin film technology
• Developing novel magnetic materials
• Ensuring rapid changes in force do not affect measurement
• Measuring optical curved surfaces
  
• Making measurements of engineered surfaces
• Strengthening industrial vacuums
• Ensuring consistent measurements over time and with temperature changes
• Improving portable atomic clocks
• Understanding chemical reactions at surfaces
• Increasing frequencies used by communications technologies
• Using scatterometry to measure small structures.

  Environment I

The aim of the Targeted Programme "Environment" is to improve the data base for political decision-making processes, to elaborate new directives and to monitor compliance with directives relating to the environment. The intention is to create a metrological infrastructure that supports both national and international research initiatives and policy-making in environmental issues. The projects are, on the one hand, aimed at local environmental aspects such as water purity and car exhaust gases. On the other hand, they include topics of a more global nature which are aimed at better comprehending the processes of climate change and at reducing the impacts. In the Targeted Programme "Environment", nine joint projects are being funded; PTB is actively taking part in all of them. PTB's funding volume amounts to 30 %. The EU is supporting the projects with a total amount of 17 million euros. PTB is acting as a coordinator in three of these projects.

• Supporting the development of EU air quality policies 
• Keeping up with regulations for exhaust emissions
  
• Measuring solar radiation
• Making measurements of Earth from space
  
• Mapping ocean characteristics
• Improving data used in atmospheric modelling
• Improving climate models through better measurement
• Supporting European water quality policy
• Disposing of nuclear waste.

Call 2011

    Health II

In the Targeted Programme "Health" – which is funded by the EU with an amount of 13.3 million euros – the research activities in each of the 11 funded projects focus on providing a metrological infrastructure that enables the improvement of the quality of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as therapeutic ultrasound, brachytherapy and magnetic resonance tomography as well as the further development of these techniques in order to extend their range of application. Furthermore, in various projects, new technologies are being developed that aim to improve healthcare and the protection of patients. A series of projects will deal with the broad topic of biomarkers – how to detect and how to characterize them. In this way, metrology will contribute to reducing healthcare costs and to promoting the competitiveness of European industry and services in this sector. Progress in diagnostics and therapy implies that the reliability and comparability of measurement results are increased. To maintain a consistent base for the assessment of the various physiologically significant properties, it is necessary to not only define the measurands used to characterize the corresponding biological effects, but also to trace them back to appropriate standards. PTB is receiving 38 % of the funding for this topic. Four of the projects are being coordinated by PTB. The projects will start in the summer of 2012.

• Metrology for a universal ear simulator and the perception of non-audible sound
• Metrological characterisation of micro-vesicles from body fluids as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers
• Dosimetry for ultrasound therapy
  
• Metrology for the characterisation of biomolecular interfaces for diagnostic devices
• Metrology for metalloproteins
• Metrology for next-generation safety standards and equipment in MRI
• Metrology for drug delivery (without participation of PTB)
• Metrology for monitoring infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and harmful micro-organisms
• Metrology for radiotherapy using complex radiation fields
• Metrology for biomolecular origin of disease
• Metrology for molecular radiotherapy.

   New Technologies

This call addresses new and – for the major part – multidisciplinary metrological challenges that have emerged in the fields of nanotechnologies, new materials, safety as well as mathematics, and information and communications technologies (ICT) for metrology.

The fields of nanotechnologies and new materials include the characterization of new functional properties which are associated with nano-structured surfaces and materials, nano-electromechanical systems and nanoparticles. The requirements for metrology encompass the characterization with regard to their geometrical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, chemical, biological, optical and thermal properties; in this context, it is also necessary to develop technologies that go beyond the limits of conventional optical procedures or of scanning probe microscopy. In the field of "Safety", the focus lies, among other things, on the detection of hazardous substances, on terahertz radiation and chemical analysis.

In the Targeted Programme "New Technologies", nine research projects will start as of the summer of 2012. Three of these will be coordinated by PTB. The additional funding volume provided by the EU amounts to 10.2 million euros. PTB's share amounts to 35 %.

• Traceable characterisation of nanostructured devices
• Metrology for Raman spectroscopy
• Chemical and optical characterisation of nanomaterials in biological systems
• Novel mathematical and statistical approaches to uncertainty evaluation
• Traceable measurement of mechanical properties of nano-objects
• Traceability for computationally-intensive metrology
• Microwave and terahertz metrology for homeland security
• Metrology with/for NEMS
• Metrology of electro-thermal coupling for new functional materials technology.

  SI Broader Scope I

The focus of the Targeted Programme "Dissemination of the SI Units", which is funded by the EU to the amount of 13.3 million euros, lies on the dissemination of the International System of Units (SI) in order to provide the metrological basis which is necessary for the expected progress in fundamental and applied research. For a few years, intense effort has been spent on tracing all base units back to invariable fundamental constants instead of defining them via a chemical-physical material property or via a prototype. Thus, the unit "kelvin", for instance, will soon no longer be based on the triple point of water, but on the Boltzmann constant. For the re-definition of the kilogram – to date defined via the international prototype of the kilogram – two approaches are being pursued: a definition via Planck's constant and another via the Avogadro constant. The imminent re-definitions imply the necessity to disseminate the units correspondingly to the diverse groups of users. It is necessary to transfer the sophisticated realization provided by theory to the practical fields of application, be it an assembly line or a supermarket. The major part of the ten research projects coordinated within the scope of this Targeted Programme therefore includes work on the practical realization of the base units. PTB is coordinating five of the joint projects. Its share in the total budget amounts to 32 %.

• Implementing the new kelvin
• Accurate time/frequency comparison and dissemination through optical telecommunication networks
• Realisation of the awaited definition of the kilogram - resolving the discrepancies
• High-accuracy optical clocks with trapped ions
• Developing a practical means of disseminating the new kilogram
• Biologically weighted quantities in radiotherapy
• Quantum ampere: Realisation of the new SI ampere
• Traceability of sub-nm length measurements
• Primary standards for challenging elements
• Novel techniques for traceable temperature dissemination.

Call 2012

  Industry II

The "Industry II" programme is dedicated to developing metrological methods and techniques for industrial applications. Metrological technology at the highest level is to provide the basis for innovation in industrial production and in the development of new products. With this programme, metrology will contribute significantly to maintaining and developing the competitiveness of European industry on the global market. Thus, the efficiency and effectivity of European industry are to be enhanced by means of optimized metrological technologies, supporting thereby the transition from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-based industry. Thanks to close cooperation with partners from industry, it can be ensured that the research results are implemented promptly and that research is oriented towards the needs of the different industrial sectors concerned. PTB will participate in ten of the fourteen funded projects and will coordinate threee JRPs. The budget of the programme amounts to 37 million euros.

• Metrology for optical and RF communication systems
• Multidimensional reflectometry for industry
• Large volume metrology in industry
• Novel electronic devices based on control of strain at the nanoscale
• Chemical metrology tools for manufacture of advanced biomaterials in the medical device industry
• Metrology for movement and positioning in six degrees of freedom
• Multi-sensor metrology for miroparts in innovative industrial products
• Metrology to enable high temperature erosion testing
• Traceable in-process dimensional measurement
• Metrology for airborne molecular contamination in manufacturing environments.

  SI Broader Scope II

The aim of the programme "Dissemination of the International Units of Measurement II" is the further development of the International System of Units and the dissemination of the units by means of research and development in the field of fundamental and applied metrology. A total budget of 42 million euros will be used for this purpose. Whilst the first programme is focused on introducing the new definitions of the SI base units and on preparing the practical realization of the base units and of the derived units, the second programme is geared to the needs of the users with regard to the dissemination of the SI units. The goal is, in particular, to develop modern technologies for the traceability of measurement results for the users of metrological services. In addition, the corresponding metrological fields and their individual measurands within the International System of Units are to be advanced by means of targeted research activities in order to harmonize the European metrological landscape. Fourteen projects will be funded. PTB will be involved in thirteen JRPs and will coordinate seven.

• Quantum resistance metrology based on graphene
• Metrology for thermal protection materials
• Automated impedance metrology extending the quantum toolbox for electricity
• Traceability for biologically relevant molecules and entities
• International timescales with optical clocks
• Realisation, dissemination and application of the unit watt in airborne sound
• New primary standards and traceability for radiometry
• Angle metrology
• A quantum standard for sampled electrical measurements
• Metrology for long distance surveying
• Crystalline and self-assembled structures as length standards
• Metrology for new electrical measurement quantities in high-frequency circuits
• Force traceability within the meganewton range.

  Open Excellence

The open Targeted Programme call "Excellence" is intended to provide the framework for excellent research without strategical provisions. The research topics do not necessarily have to be of a metrological nature. Their results are, however, expected to be of potential use for future metrological applications. The programme has a total funding volume of eight million euros. A stronger involvement of expert knowledge from outside metrology institutes is a particular characteristic of this call. Four projects will be funded with PTB coordinating two of them.

• Quantum engineered states for optical clocks and atomic sensors
• Single-photon sources for quantum technologies
• Measurement and control of single-photon microwave radiation on a chip
• Spintronics and spin-caloritronics in magnetic nanosystems.