News Release

First app from NPL to help researchers working in the laboratory

Business Announcement

National Physical Laboratory

The UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has released its first app for iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. It will provide researchers with easy and up-to-date access to the values for all the physical constants.

The app has been designed by NPL to be used by researchers in the laboratory to do fast accurate calculations without having to leave their work and consult textbooks.

Unlike other apps in this area all fundamental constant values (including exponents) can be accurately copied into a scientific calculator making Fundamental Physical Constants easy to use for accurate calculations while working in the laboratory.

NPL's Fundamental Physical Constants App is available through the Apple store. It covers not only the full range of fundamental constants but also the SI and derived units and SI Prefixes.

The values used in Fundamental Physical Constants are the latest values recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). They provide researchers with the most up-to-date values ensuring that their work is traceable back to the highest degree of accuracy.

The Fundamental Physical Constants App is the first app in a series to be developed by NPL, the UK's National Measurement Institute.

Established in 1900, NPL is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology.

Tim Prior, Business Development Manager at NPL, said: "For more than a century NPL has developed and maintained the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology. Previously we have shared this expertise with scientists through published papers and reference books, but have now developed our first app to ensure that the data is as accessible as possible, enabling researchers to use the information quickly and accurately to progress their own work."

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To download the NPL app go to: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fundamental-physical-constants/id397738694

Notes to Editors

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is one of the UK's leading science facilities and research centres. It is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate standards, science and technology available.

NPL occupies a unique position as the UK's National Measurement Institute and sits at the intersection between scientific discovery and real world application. Its expertise and original research have underpinned quality of life, innovation and competitiveness for UK citizens and business for more than a century:

  • NPL provides companies with access to world leading support and technical expertise, inspiring the absolute confidence required to realise competitive advantage from new materials, techniques and technologies
  • NPL expertise and services are crucial in a wide range of social applications - helping to save lives, protect the environment and enable citizens to feel safe and secure. Support in areas such as the development of advanced medical treatments and environmental monitoring helps secure a better quality of life for all
  • NPL develops and maintains the nation's primary measurement standards, supporting an infrastructure of traceable measurement throughout the UK and the world, to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Press enquiries to: Joe Meaney, Proof Communication on 0845 680 1864, joe@proofcommunication.com


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