Alistair B Forbes

Centre for Mathematics and Scientific Computing

National Physical Laboratory

Monday 24 February, 2003

starting 7.30 pm

Loughborough University

Edward Herbert Building, Room J001

Abstract

Metrology is the science of measurement. The National Physical Laboratory is the UK’s national metrology institute responsible for defining, maintaining and disseminating standards of measurement. NPL’s research programme involves a comprehensive set of projects to develop more accurate ways of measuring physical quantities and includes ambitious projects aimed at redefining the metre and kilogram. Mathematics plays an important role in many aspects of this research, including modelling the behaviour of measuring instruments and analysing the data produced by them. Central to the analysis of data is the evaluation of the uncertainties associated with the fit of the model to the data. This in turn depends on developing statistical models for the inputs to the model and on designing approximation methods for these models. No measurement data in metrology comes unadorned; all data points are associated with a statistical model.

In this talk I will firstly describe some of the measurement experiments at NPL and then look at the combination of data approximation, optimisation, numerical analysis and statistics involved in determining satisfactory measurement results. I will also consider how some new statistical methods could have a significant impact on uncertainty evaluation in metrology.

No charge is made to attend meetings, non-IMA members are welcome

For further details of this event or other East Midlands Branch activities consult the Web Site http://science.ntu.ac.uk/msor/ccb/ima.html or by contacting the Branch General Secretary: Dr Stephen Hibberd, Division of Theoretical Mechanics, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham Tel. (0115) 9513841 email: Stephen.Hibberd@nottingham.ac.uk