National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

On this day in 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen made a groundbreaking discovery that would change science and medicine forever. While experimenting with cathode rays, he observed a new kind of radiation, which would later be named X-rays. Just weeks later, the first X-ray image (his wife's hand) opened new frontiers in diagnostics and research. Here at NPL, metrology plays a crucial role in X-ray science - with a particular focus on the calibration of imaging equipment and the development of precise measurement standards. Our facilities are at the forefront of research, ensuring accurate measurements make the development of safer, more targeted radiotherapy treatments possible. Röntgen's discovery laid the foundation for this essential metrology work that underpins safe and accurate imaging technology today. #OnThisDay #ADayInTheLab #ScienceHistory

What colour is the ocean? The answer definitely isn't as simple as 'blue'! The colour of the ocean provides important information about Earth's changing climate. Phytoplankton - tiny plant-like microbes living in the top layers of the ocean - use sunlight to conduct photosynthesis for energy, and store the rest as heat. They can lead to increased CO2 in the air, and their growths cause changes in the colours of the ocean. We track changes in the ocean's colour using satellites, and we can use that information to learn more about how the carbon cycle is changing, and what is happening to the 'heat budget' of the ocean. At NPL, we help improve the accuracy of these incredibly tricky measurements, helping with the accuracy of climate modelling and monitoring the health of our blue planet. https://lnkd.in/gHwZb7Qa

Today the UK’s quantum community comes together at the Quantum Showcase to highlight innovation, collaboration and commercial impact. At NPL, we play a central role in accelerating quantum technologies from lab to market. Through our NPL Quantum Programme, we provide the measurement science, standards, and expertise that help businesses de-risk innovation, validate performance, and build confidence in quantum products and services. Whether it’s quantum computing, communications or networks, our work ensures technologies are trusted, interoperable, and ready to support your business to innovate and adopt. At the Showcase, we’ll be sharing how we are: 🔵 shaping global quantum standards through NMI-Q and developing the Quantum Standards Network pilot 🔵 ensuring performance is measurable, reliable, and ready for market through evidence-based test and evaluation 🔵 partnering across industry, academia, and government to amplify UK impact on the global stage. If you're here, come and meet the team, explore our latest work, and discover how NPL is helping build a resilient, assured quantum future. Discover the NPL quantum programme: https://lnkd.in/eZ2tkGrP #QuantumShowcase #QuantumWeek2025 #IYQ2025

Last week at #ITSF2025, Leon Lobo joined virtually to mark the successful completion of the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme’s R&D phase - and shared how we're now capturing emerging use cases across industry to understand what’s needed across the UK and beyond. Stephen Uroegbu also presented on Resilient Time Synchronisation Over Unreliable Networks, showing how we can design systems that maintain precise time even under unpredictable conditions. A key theme that emerged from the conference: a lack of awareness around the importance of time and the diverse use cases across industry sectors globally. So how do we raise awareness and investment in a robust, national timing infrastructure? And how do we build a strategy that leverages multiple technologies to ensure reliable and accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information? 🔗 Stay up to date with NTC to see how we’re tackling these challenges: https://www.npl.co.uk/ntc

We have teamed up with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to accelerate innovation-led growth across the West Midlands. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) by the Mayor of the WMCA, Richard Parker and Deputy CEO of NPL, Vicki Saward. This MoU is the first of its kind between NPL and a Combined Authority. It will give local businesses access to world-class scientific expertise and cutting-edge measurement technologies. https://lnkd.in/e8n6u2y3

We are thrilled to share that the UK has launched a new initiative led by NPL and UK National Measurement Laboratory (NML) at LGC Metrology Laboratory to advance measurement science for airborne environmental DNA #eDNA, a breakthrough in biodiversity monitoring. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dbkKqeUb

It was great to team up and host the RIN and Spirent recently, sharing insights on the evolving PNT landscape and the important role of communications. We are pleased to have contributed to building stronger timing communities for early-career professionals. Empowering them is essential to support innovation and shape the future of timing technologies and services. The National Timing Centre (NTC) is proud to support this mission further through our Time and Frequency e-learning courses, helping individuals and organisations develop the expertise needed to keep the world synchronised. If you’re interested in learning more or joining the next generation of timing specialists, explore our training opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/d4jnzPjf

It's fireworks night! Have you ever wondered how bright those pretty fireworks are in the night sky? Before you wrap up and head out to begin saying “oooh” and “wow!” at the latest display, learn a bit about how we measure “brightness”, or as it’s formally known: Luminous Intensity! Check out our website to learn more about the science behind the unit. https://lnkd.in/d3AC_v2Q