Report on CPEM 2000
The National Measurement Laboratory (NML), CSIRO, hosted the Conference
on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements (CPEM) in Sydney from 14- 19
May 2000. CPEM is the foremost international conference series in electrical
metrology and fundamental constants, and CPEM 2000 was the 21st conference
in the CPEM series. This was only the second CPEM cclnference to be held
outside North America and Europe and reflects recognition of the growing
importance of the Asia Pacific region to world metrology.
CPEM 2000 was officially opened by the Hon. Warren Entsch, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Industry, science and Resources (ISR) of
the Australian Government. NML, the Measurement Standards Laboratory, Industrial
Research, New Zealand and the Australian Government Department of Industry,
Science & Resources were Principal Sponsors of the conference, which
attracted 430 delegates from 43 countries. Of these, 165 (38%) were from
APMP economies. Ten delegates from the Asia-Pacific were supported through
special funding made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Center
for Measurement Standards (CMS), ITRI, Chinese Taipei, and the Korea Research Institute of Standardsand Science
(KRISS), Korea. In all 329 technical papers were presented, with 103 of
these presented by delegates from the Asia-Pacific region. The papers covered
progress in quantum effct devices and applications, and research advances
in the more tradltional fields of electrical and electromagnetic measurement
from dc to millimetre wave, automated instmmentation, calibration systems,
electromagnetic compatibility, lasers and optoelectronics, optical metrology,
and a large number of papers on time and frequency. There were also reports
on fundamental constants and on developments in the atomic based kilogram
and othe basic activities.
International keynote speakers presented plenary papers on basic advances
in physics, metrology in astronomy and developments in national standards
and international comparisons. The CPEM 2000 plenary speakers were Dr Michael
Pepper (University of Cambridge, UK), Professor Ron Ekers (Australia Telescope
National Facility, CSIRO, Australia), Dr Barry Taylor, (National Institute
of Standards and Technology [NIST], USA), Dr Clark Hamilton, (NIST, USA),
Dr Robert Hebner (University of Texas, USA), Dr Ernst Goebel (Physikalisch
Technische Bundesanstalt [PTB], Germany), and Dr Terry Quinn (Director
of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures [BIPM], France). CPEM
2000 coincided almost to the day with the 125th anniversary of the signing
of the Convention du Metre, which is the foundation for the harmonisation
of international metrology. To commemorate this occasion, the subject of
Dr Quinn's plenary paper was the history and future of the Convention du
Metre and the BIPM. Members of the International Cormittee for Weights
and Measures (CIPM) held a meeting on the anniversary day, 20 May, at Sydney
Observatory and a number of CPEM 2000 delegates joined them for a luncheon
to mark the occasion. Henceforth, 20 May will be known as "World Metrology
Day". CPEM 2000 recognised the ever-increasing emphasis on global
trading and international trade agreements, and the need for mutual acceptance
of national standards between economies and measurement traceability within
economies. The global Mutual Recognition Amangement (MRA) between NMIs
for the mutual recognition of national standards and calibration certificates
issued by NMIs was established in October 1999 to address this situation.
Its success depends on the development of more accurate and more stable
standards accessible either directly or indirectly by all economies. This
challenge for NMIs was reflected in CPEM 2000 through a special provision
for 'key comparison' papers, and an even ing discussion session on participation
by NMIs in the global MRA.
The CPEM tradition of supporting young metrologists was continued by providing
14 "Young Scientist" awards to assist recipients from the USA,
UK, Switzerland, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, Croatia, China, Canada
and Australia to attend.
The conference included a comprehensive trade exhibidon showing the latest
in technology, techniques and trade publications. Three Regional Metrology
Organisations (RMOs) also participated in the CPEM 2000 Exhibition: APMP,
EUROMET (European Metrology Cooperation), and SIM (Inter-American Metrology
System).
Next CPEM
The next CPEM will be held in Ottawa, Canada from 16-21 June 2002. The
CPEM 2002 secretariat is contactable at CPEMO2@nrc.ca.
Dr. Angela Samuel (CSIRO, NML
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Report on NCSL 2000
 On 16-20 July, the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme(APMP) Secretariat attended
NCSL 2000, the National Conference of Standards Laboratories, held in Toronto,
Canada. The NCSL is a society of calibration and testing laboratories of
the United States and has two thousand members. The NCSL holds a large
conference every year, arranging exhibitions, tutorial courses, technical
presentations, meetings of related organizations and committees of the
NCSL itself. Approximately 1000 delegates from private and public laboratories,
instrument manufacturers and foreign countries attended NCSL 2000.
Almost 100 booths were open for exhibitions and 130 technical papers were
presented. As we have done for the past two years, we promoted APMP activities
at an exhibition booth (see figure), distributing APMP brochures, a contact
list and newsletters. Our booth had over two hundred visitors asking for
information on our organization, contacts and activities.
At the international session, 23 papers were presented, including reports
from BIPM, EUROMET and NORAMET on the present situation of global MRA.
The APMP also presented two papers. Dr. B.Inglis, Chairman of the APMP
MRA Advisory Committee, introduced the APMP current position and activities
including MRA, international comparisons and peer review of quality systems.
Dr. K.Seta, the APMP Executive Secretary, announced support by APEC for
APMP and other SRB activities for MRA in particular fields.
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