Open Day at the PTB

For 50 years the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) has had its seat in Braunschweig. On this occasion, the PTB has organized an anniversary weekend which will end with an Open Day on Saturday, July 5, 1997.

The work of a research and test institute for natural sciences like the PTB normally takes place behind closed doors. But on July 5, 1997, from 9.00 to 17.00 h, visitors can inform themselves about the great number of tasks and fields of work of the PTB.

Almost every citizen of our country every day has to do with measurement results - as a customer, a road-user or a patient. The Open Day is intended to illustrate what efforts the PTB - as the national metrology institute rendering also scientific and technical services - makes in order that every citizen might rely on the correctness of measurement results in official and commercial dealings.

On this Open Day, it will also be possible to get information about the importance of the PTB within the scope of metrological research and about the role the PTB plays for the control of modern technologies by industry.

From 9.00 to 17.00 h, about 30 laboratories of the PTB offer information about the following subjects:

• Measurement of radon in the environment
• power measurement on lasers
• proof and generation of fast neutrons
• pressure measurements on gases
• primary standard for the measurement of the ozone concentration
• digital photography
• approval tests for measuring instruments for traffic control
• modern solutions in information technology
• radiation of sound by grand pianos and pianos
• atomic clocks and legal time
• from the kilogram to the atomic mass
• precision measurement of cylinder diameters
• force and torque measurement
• measurement of the radiation dose of patients in X-ray diagnostics
• fire tests on flame-arresting devices
• radiation measurement on technical devices
• explosion tests for testing flameproof enclosures
• modern electricity meters
• ballistic gas pressure measurement
• electromagnetic compatibility
• laser-optical procedures in flowrate measuring technology
• technique of measuring technical surfaces
• mechanical appliance construction
• vocational training at the PTB.

Visitors have the choice between two different tours or can themselves make up their program. Route and site plans, descriptions of the exhibits and general information is available at the information desk in the cafeteria. Here the PTB will also open an Internet Café where it will be possible to try out what possibilities modern means of communication have to offer.

The PTB can be reached from the city by bus 11 (PTB) or via Motorway A2 (BS-Watenbüttel exit) or Motorway A391 (BS-Lehndorf exit).
Enough parking space is available.