Newsletter - November-December 2008
Pressure Update
Pressure
The pressure laboratory of the NMISA is responsible for the maintenance and dissemination of the national pressure scale of South Africa as per its mandate by the dti. This responsibility extends to the research and development of the national measurement systems in order to realize better accuracies and to enhance the competitiveness of the country through the provision of measurement services that are internationally equivalent to the capabilities of other National Metrology Institute (NMI) laboratories. To deliver to its mandate, the pressure laboratory during a strategic planning session, took a decision to fully characterise the piston cylinder units (PCU’s) and use it as a primary standard system. In order to achieve this, a new in-house traceability chain to the national standards of length and mass of NMISA was realized.
The use of in-house standards enables the laboratory to reduce the uncertainty of measurement and also allows for the expansion of the current measurement range.
A detailed paper was presented at the 2008 Test & Measurement conference.
Two pressure balance piston cylinder units (PCU’s) have been fully characterised and are in the process of being declared as National Standards. These two PCO’s were use to calibrate a series of other pressure balances to cover the pressure range. Two new metrologists have been appointed in the pressure laboratory and were exposed to extensive training to ensure continued sustainability of the laboratory. The laboratory resumed calibrations in the beginning of October 2008. The range covered is from 1 Pa to 120 MPa.
For for enquiries contact; Cherrie Korasie
Cleaning up the environment: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are considered among the most dangerous of all the pollutants released yearly into the environment. Animal and human studies link a wide variety of health problems to exposure to persistent organic pollutants, such as reproductive abnormalities, birth defects, immune system dysfunction, neurological defects and cancer in humans and wildlife.
South Africa has signed the POPs treaty and therefore SA needs to establish a capability to monitor and analyse POPs. The treaty is known as the “Stockholm Convention” after the signing of the treaty in May 2001 in Sweden. The goal of the treaty is to “protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants”.
The NMISA has initiated a collaborative effort to establish an extraction and analytical capability for the measurement of various POPs in complex (including biological) matrices for South Africa.
During October 2008, the ChromSAAMS chromatography mass spectrometry conference was held in Bela Bela, north of Pretoria. This conference brings together specialists in separation sciences from a variety of science fields. The NMISA hosted Dr. Jack Cochran from Restek Corporation in Bellefonte, US, as a guest speaker for this conference and then for 2 weeks as a guest scientist in the Organic Laboratory. Various lectures and posters were presented at the conference detailing some of the POPs work that has been completed at the NMISA.
The two week visit focused on data review of PCB and furan analyses using comprehensive two- dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS).
The use of this instrumentation forms the basis for the analytical expertise that the NMISA is validating for POPs analyses for SA. During this time, Dr Cochran also visited various laboratories that have separation science capabilities.
The collaboration with NWU has ensured that sample extraction and clean-up procedures are validated and the extracted samples can be analysed at NMISA.
This endeavor will help to disseminate reference method capability to routine analytical laboratories that are in the position to make measurements for these compounds on a routine basis.
The validation of these analytical procedures has not yet been finalised, but the collaborative effort is on-going and will assist SA in having an in-house capability for POPs analyses.
Quantum leaping optical frequency standards
Recently, a Research and Development (R&D) capability has been established within NMISA, with a current emphasis of making possible several measurements using the quantum properties inherent in the interaction of light with atoms and molecules. In general, the R&D core has been tasked with the improvement of current measurement capabilities at the NMISA to meet future traceability needs of local industry. This forms part of a strategy to act more proactively as typically, if a better standard is not available for purchase, it can take five to ten years (or more) to develop a new standard.
The current research emphasis is especially on the generation of light sources with precisely defined frequencies, which are determined by electronic transitions (a quantum jump of an electron) in atoms, and the use of the these sources in various metrological applications.
Light is essentially the very high frequency version of radiowaves, including the often utilized microwaves, and offers several advantages over the latter.
Essential elements and specific impacts related to photonics research project are:
Other possibilities for future research and development that have been identified include:
High bandwidth electronic front-ends (as found in communication signal analysers, and microwave test equipment) can be characterised with a compact pumpprobe setup that could be attached to the existing optical frequency comb. This will enable previously impossible characterisation of this equipment. This method has already been established by NIST (USA) over the past few years, and the NMISA will seek cooperation with this group to sell the system to laboratories thatdo not have the required resources to develop the system themselves. The potential customers would include Time & Frequency laboratories (if distributed with an optical frequency comb), Telecommunication and Fibre Optic laboratories (the system can be used as a wavelength reference in the optical fibre telecommunications band) and Dimensional laboratories (an accurate frequency implies an accurate wavelength).
The project has some commercial possibilities. Since the goal is to build a compact and robust system that can be easily transported, it would be possible to sell the system to laboratories that do not have the required resources to develop the system themselves.
The potential customers would include Time & Frequency laboratories (if distributed with an optical frequency comb), Telecommunication and Fibre Optic laboratories (the system can be used as a wavelength reference in the optical fibre telecommunications band) and Dimensional laboratories (an accurate frequency implies an accurate wavelength).
Full Membership of CCTF
In October 2008, NMISA was accepted as a full member of the CCTF (consultative committee on time and frequency). This now makes the NMISA full member of 8 of the consultative committees of the CIPM/BIPM. It also has full membership of CCRI section II and is thus actually involved in 9 of the 10 consultative committees.
Currently South Africa is utilising four thermal beam cesium atomic clocks as time and frequency standards. A hyperfine transition in cesium is used to stabilise a microwave oscillation, and the frequency of the microwave is read out (essentially an electrical signal).
Time is the inverse of frequency, and both of these quantities are the most precisely defined of all quantities in NMISA (by orders of magnitude), and are important in optical fibre, cellular, internet and satellite communications, navigation (GPS) and in a whole range of instrumentation used in industry and society (including medical, sports and radioequipment).
The time and frequency laboratory does important calibration work in this regard. Many other standards in NMISA are also linked to time/frequency and even redefined standards in temperature and gas concentration will be linked to frequency.
Internationally even dimensionality (length), which lies at the heart of manufacturing and a large part of nanotechnology, is now been merged with (optical) frequency standards, since the (wave)length of light can related to the frequency through the speed of light (which by itself has a fixed value) and there is no need to keep separate standards for these quantities.
This now allows the NMISA to contribute to international technical developments in this field, meaning that a development task like a new type of optical frequency standard is crucial, especially if it can also be used in the context of the developing world.
In fact our philosophy is indeed to make a difference in this (sometimes) neglected niche, and this could also play an important role in AFRIMETS.
NMISA Accreditation Update
Accreditation activities over the past year included several assessments in NMISA laboratories by both international and local assessors.
Planned SANAS Assessments were conducted in the following laboratories with recommendations of continued accreditation in all instances:
Dimensional laboratory (1606) on 8 to 10 October 2007, with technical assessors Siew Leng Tan of Singapore (SPRING) and Dave Lands.
AUV laboratory (1600) on 18 to 20 February 2008, with Takashi Usuda of NMIJ (Japan) and Martin De Beer as the technical assessors.
Torque laboratory (1617) on 18 February 2008, with the technical assessors Andy Knott of NPL (UK) and Eben Smit.
Force laboratory (1602) on 19 and 20 February 2008, with the technical assessors Andy Knott of NPL (UK) and Eben Smit.
Time & Frequency laboratory (1604) on 28 February 2008, with the technical assessor Peet Fritz.
Mass laboratory (1605) on 14 May 2008, with the technical assessor Christo Reyneke.
Ionising Radiation Laboratory (1607) on 2 June 2008, with technical assessor Germa Mare.
Gas Laboratory (1601), including ISO Guide 34 on 9 - 11 June 2008, with technical assessors Rob Wessel of NMi (Netherlands) and Organic laboratory (1616) (including ISO Guide 34) on 24 to 25 June 2008, with technical assessor Marlan Pillay.
Temperature laboratory (1603) on 13 August 2008, with technical assessor Mark Matthieson.
Humidity laboratory (1613) on 13 August 2008, with technical assessor Jan Hattingh.
RF Electrical laboratory (1608) on 13 August, with technical assessor Frikkie Prinsloo.
Inorganic Plasma Spectrometry laboratory (1615) on 17-19 September 2008, with technical assessor Dr Detlief Schiel from PTB (Germany).
Photometry & Radiometry laboratory (1611) on 1-3 October 2008, with technical assessors Theresa Goodman from NPL (United Kingdom) and Connie Jonker.
Fibre Optics laboratory (part of 1611) on 1-3 October 2008, with Dr Hem Kandpal from NPL (India).
Furthermore, the reassessment of the DCLF laboratory (1612), which is currently in voluntary suspension due to staff changes, took place on 1-3 September 2008 with technical assessors Dr Wey Chua from A*Star (Singapore) and Val Rengecas.
The other laboratory currently in voluntary suspension due to staff changes is the Pressure laboratory (1614) and it is also expected to be reassessed early in 2009 by an international technical assessor.
End October 2008 the Force laboratory (1602) also requested voluntary suspension due to equipment failure but it is also expected to apply for re-instatement early in 2009.
The Dimensional laboratory also has recently had personnel changes affecting a part of their capability and a new signatory for gauge blocks is expected to be evaluated early in 2009.
The remaining accredited laboratory, Radioactivity (1610) is due for assessment in the first week of December 2008.
This means that all the accredited NMISA laboratories have been externally assessed in the period October 2007 to December 2008. It has been a busy, but fruitful period with a large number of staff involved.
NMISA continues to strive to providing suitable traceability to the South African and African markets, in doing so we continually have to review our existing capabilities and supporting systems to ensure we keep abreast of expectations.
SADCMET EU PROJECT TRAINING COURSES
The Regional and International division of NMISA and the SADCMET Secretariat have hosted a number of metrology training workshops under the SADC EU project. The project, which is funded by the European Commission, is aimed at supporting trade and investment, enhance the protection of consumers and improve the competitiveness of suppliers of products and services in SADC Member States.
The purpose of the said programme is to contribute to the development and implementation of a regional policy on technical regulations and the establishment of a more effective, efficient and functioning trade related SQAM support infrastructure in the region.
This will strengthen existing SQAM capacities within Member States and at SADC level.
The programme is designed to provide technical assistance and training as well as equipment to SADC SQAM infrastructures. In addition, SADC SQAM institutions shall be linked with their European counterparts for specific awareness, training and cooperation activities.
The SADCMET component of the project is €2.4 million which will be used for the following:
The project was launched on 1 October 2008 and since then the SADCMET Secretariat has organized a number of training workshops hosted by the NMISA and NLA respectively. The following courses have been carried out:
Since these courses already exist as standard courses offered by the National Laboratory Association (NLA) and NMISA respectively, and both have a long track record of unprecedented success amongst metrologists in the region, rather than re-invent the wheel, it was decided that these courses should be presented in answer to the EU project needs.
The training courses which were run over five days were presented by NMISA experts in each of these fields and attended by participants from all SADC countries.
The temperature course was in addition to the SADC participants also attended by participants from other AFRIMETS countries including Ethiopia, Corte d’Voire, Tunisia, Kenya and Egypt.
The participants wrote examinations after each training course and five best candidates from each course will be selected to undergo further training in the form of attachments and secondments to more advanced NMIs for 3 - 4 months.
New Appointments For Nov And December 2008
| Name | Position | Start date | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tebogo Mdluli | Receptionist | 01/10/2008 | NMISA |
| Thomas Mautjana | Metrologist | 06/10/2008 | Mass Lab |
| Clive Oliphant | Metrologist | 01/12/2008 | Chemical metrology: Gas laboratory |
| Patricia Bombeleni Morokong | Support | 01/12/2008 | Calibration Office |
Achiever Award Winners for 2007/2008
A fun day was had by all the the Zebra Country Lodge on September 12 2008.
The MC for this special occasion was Dr David Molapo,who delivered a motivational message on Change in the Workplace.
The Winners were as follows:
Metrologist of the Year: Oelof KrugerResearcher of the Year: Mellisa Janse van Rensburg
Promising Young Metrologist: Riaan Nel
Dissemination Excellence: Marcelle Archer, Moses Temba
Support Excellence: Daphney SHikwambani
Support Excellence (technical support): Willem Boshoff
Team Excellence: Acoustics & Vibration Laboratory (Ian Veldman, Riaan Nel, Moses Temba)
Quality: Marissa Nel
Management Excellence: Sara Prins
Socio-economic Impact: Alexander Matlejoane
CEO’s Award: Kgaugelo Masekela
Long Service Award: Roko Popich
Christmas Message 2008
The NMISA has, once again, experienced a wonderful year filled with opportunities, growth and advancement. As we bid goodbye to 2008, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients, stakeholders and everybody who contributed to the success of the NMISA a happy holiday season and a wonderful 2009.
For those of the Christian faith, we wish you a blessed Christmas as you take time to reflect on and celebrate Christ’s birth.
May you all have a wonderful break with your families and return safely and refreshed in the new year.