Since the founding of the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt 126 years ago, metrology has lost none of its impact for science, society and the economy. On the contrary: For a modern industrial nation in an increasingly complex, globally networked world, metrology is significantly gaining in importance. Indeed, it is often even of decisive importance. In order to shape its future responsibly, we should, however, be aware of and acknowledge our tradition.
Both the successful ceremony on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the Helmholtz-Fonds (Helmholtz Fund) and the honouring of PTB, with its Berlin Institute, with the “Historic Site” award of the European Physical Society (EPS) have, in an impressive manner, highlighted this broad field between tradition, change and the future.
Thus the Helmholtz Fonds was founded because, among other things, the funds available at that time did not provide “… the flexibility and sufficiency required by an institute standing in the tide of scientific development”. In view of the flexibility measures which – unfortunately not sufficiently enough – have been delegated to PTB in the wake of the Wissenschaftsfreiheitsgesetz (Scientific Freedom Act) which became effective on 1.1.2013, this topic is still relevant to this very day (e.g. concerning the field of construction, but also with regard to the remuneration of highly qualified personnel), having considerable consequences for our future competitiveness.
The outstanding scientific achievements of the Physikalische-Technische Reichsanstalt (PTR) at the beginning of the 20th century, which were of enormous practical and economic relevance, were based even then on the foresighted taking up of fields with a promising future and, thereby, established the prestige of the PTR. The EPS prize awarded for the first time here in Germany honours the discovery of important fundamental laws of physics and effects by the PTR. It is, however, at the same time also an obligation to continually call working fields into question, in order to enable the taking up of new subjects.
Which are the metrological fields of the future? Where does PTB see itself today in services and in scientific research in Germany, Europe and in the world in an environment which has become much more complex – compared to former times? How can we better utilize synergies with universities in order to fulfil our tasks, and which formal leeway and boundary conditions do we need for this? These and other questions were intensively discussed at the beginning of the year.
Three ambitious scientific projects were identified and shall be achieved: the world’s best measurement of the Avogadro constant for the realization of the kilogram and the most precise realization of the ampere, both in the context of the “new SI”, as well as the development and highly precise linking of the most reliable and most accurate optical clocks of the next generation. These projects are not only of farreaching practical relevance, but they will also significantly extend PTB’s range of services. Furthermore, they hold a potential for scientific discovery, thus, e.g., with regard to the question: Are the natural constants actually constant?
Our services, including political consultation, are to further strengthen our key role in legal metrology and to expand our influence and the impact of our work in politics and for the public. Here, in excellent cooperation with the BMWi, considerable contributions were made in terms of the elaboration and implementation of the new Weights and Verification Act. The establishment of the Regelermittlungsausschuss (“Rule Determination Committee”) headed by PTB as well as the further development of the conformity assessment body at PTB are in the process of preparation and are, among other things, the guarantee that PTB will assume a key role in legal metrology also in the long run. Together with federal state authorities, state-approved testing bodies, trade associations and consumer organizations, landmark decisions will be taken here in future for non-European-regulated measuring instruments.
Taking up cross-sectional subjects is a specific strength of PTB due to its diversified expertise. The newly set up concept “Metrology for the energy transition” was presented in the Ministry, workshops were held and the topics “Power plant efficiency”, “Centre for wind energy” as well as “Gas networks” will be explored further at the beginning of 2014. The topic “Health” was discussed and identified as a new cross-sectional subject within the framework of a workshop and is envisaged to be taken up. Not least, the field of “Nanometrology” will be strengthened – not only through the joint acquisition of the “Laboratory for Emerging Nanotechnology” (LENA) under the auspices of the Technical University (TU) Braunschweig and with a funding volume of approx. € 28 million, but also due to the fact that the NanoMet-Graduiertenschule (NanoMet Graduate School) which has been applied for, has been excellently assessed by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation – DFG).
At the same time, the successful collaboration in nanometrology forms the “condensation nucleus” of an extended cooperation with the TU. Under the new name Metrologie-Initiative Braunschweig (Metrology Initiative Braunschweig – MIB), it not only includes the continuing “International Graduate School of Metrology” (IGSM), but furthermore is to be considerably expanded by means of joint appointments, also of young scientists, as well as teaching contributions by PTB. By means of further intensifying collaborations with the Charité University Hospital, the Technical University in Berlin and the Leibniz University in Hanover, here, among other things, by the joint application of a Sonderforschungsbereich (a special field of research to be supported by the DFG), we want to strengthen and expand the synergy with the neighbouring universities.
Metrology in Europe is advancing at a great pace with the “European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research” (EMPIR), which made considerable progress politically and in terms of content in 2013, was positively assessed by all the boards and committees, and is to begin as early as 2014 with an expected total volume of approx. € 600 million over seven years. Furthermore, several European Centres are being set up; some of them are still only “virtual” in part, however PTB is participating in all of them (as, for example, in Earth observation, metrology in chemistry and metrological-mathematical modelling). With their help, a permanent platform is to be created for new services which often emanate from projects in the current European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) and for which lasting demand is expected at the European level.
PTB plays an important, continually increasing role in global metrology, not only as a result of collaboration in numerous important international boards and committees (among others, in the Metre Convention), but rather as a result of a – once again – clearly increased project volume in the field of technical cooperation, mostly supported by and in cooperation with the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development – BMZ ).
To further pursue all this and to safeguard and expand the position of PTB as one of the leading international metrology institutes, we need attractive working conditions for highly motivated staff members and to acquire top personnel. To this end, among other things, the child care facilities have been further improved, the models for teleworking and part-time work have been expanded even more and the healthcare provisions have been intensified. A very important subject in this connection is the prospects of PTB staff members who have time-limited contracts but who, due to the cutting down of permanent posts in the past, play an ever increasing important, indispensable and, meanwhile, often a major role, particularly in fulfilling our tasks in the field of research. Due to our still very limited options, we unfortunately cannot by far offer the prospect of a permanent post at PTB to all suitable staff members. It therefore must be our most pressing concern, on the one hand, to offer outstanding conditions for employment and for obtaining further qualifications as well as, on the other hand, to point out clear target lines showing the way to a permanent post at PTB.
This year, too, PTB was able to impressively assert its place among the top metrological institutes; thus we can meet the future well armed. My thanks go to all of you who have actively contributed to our success and I wish us “PTBists” much lasting joy, enthusiasm and success in our work, as well as the continued courage, strength and willingness to jointly shape the change for our future.
Joachim Ullrich