Happy World Metrology Day!

Today is World Metrology Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875. The convention sets the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and its application in industry, science and society.

The National Measurement Institute (NMI) has marked the anniversary by presenting its annual metrology awards. According to NMI CEO Dr Peter Risk, the two award recipients have shown tremendous innovation in their respective fields.

The 2016 Barry Inglis Medal was awarded to Professor Mike McLaughlin, whose team at CSIRO developed a rapid, simple and relatively inexpensive method to detect and quantify total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil. Sites contaminated by TPH, such as old petrol stations, pose a health risk to both humans and animals through soil and groundwater contamination.

Professor McLaughlin and his team developed a portable instrument which reflects an infrared beam off a soil sample to detect and measure TPH directly. The on-site technique allows industry to measure TPH levels in the field and means fewer samples have to be collected for laboratory analysis, thereby saving time and money.

“The refinement of this technique by CSIRO, and its subsequent commercialisation by [waste remediation company] Ziltek, is an excellent example of how small businesses and Australian scientists can work together to address global environmental problems,” Dr Fisk said.

Dr Suelynn Choy from RMIT University meanwhile won the 2016 NMI Prize for demonstrating that data generated by local infrastructure and transmitted by a regional satellite navigation system can be used to provide accurate point positioning anywhere outdoors in Australia at any time.

Dr Choy’s research has been demonstrated in precision agriculture, where robotic tractors controlled by satellites have been able to track, turn and operate machinery autonomously. Such a capability could ultimately boost the productivity of Australian industries, including agriculture, mining and, in particular, the emerging field of intelligent transport systems. 

“Dr Choy’s research is laying the foundations for significant improvements to our current global navigation systems, which will in turn benefit many industries such as transportation, emergency services, engineering and mapping,” Dr Fisk said.