Innovation, Industry, Science and  Research: Ministers and  Parliamentary Secretary

AUSTRALIA HANDS OVER NEW KILOGRAM TO THE WORLD

Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson today handed over two unique spheres that may redefine  the “kilogram” to the world.

Dr Emerson, the Minister responsible for Australia’s National Measurement Institute (NMI), handed  over the silicon spheres to the international measurement community during a special ceremony at  Lindfield, Sydney.

The kilogram, the unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), is presently defined as the  mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder sitting in a vault in France.

There is evidence that the mass of the 119-year-old cylinder may have slowly changed over time in a  small but measurable way.

“This presented a unique opportunity for staff from the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Precision  Optics and the NMI to take part in the Avogadro Project,” Dr Emerson said.

“The project is a global collaboration that aims to link the weight of the kilogram directly to the mass  of atoms.

“It’s about scientific breakthroughs and providing the world with a reliable standard of mass.

“More importantly, we have a standard in which we have complete confidence, to underpin present  and future technological innovations.”

Dr Emerson said the definition of the kilogram is the peak measurement standard of mass to which  all others worldwide are traced.

“I understand that not only are measurements of mass affected, the definition of the kilogram links  directly to measurements for energy, electrical and chemical quantities,” he said.

“Improving the kilogram will improve our measurement capabilities in these and other areas.

“This is great news for those industries that rely on accurate measurement such as aerospace.”

For more information see www.measurement.gov.au

Media Contact: Chris Ward       (Minister Emerson)                        0418 424 654                           Ms Yen Heng   (National Measurement Institute)    0418 616 118

IISR Minister > The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP



Media Release

The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP

04 Apr 2008

Page 1 of 2 Minister - Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

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