Background

Forensic investigators, biochemical engineers, environmental researchers, and many other technically trained experts routinely use NIST Standard Reference Data to identify trace chemicals and to design new experiments and products such as pharmaceuticals. Students from high school through graduate school use the same datasets to master the ropes of scientific discovery.

With over 100 types of data available, however, finding exactly what you need quickly and easily can be challenging. NIST invites the civic hackathon community to develop innovative apps that aggregate and improve the usability of free NIST datasets and resources.

 

Eligible NIST Data

For this challenge, your App submission MUST use at least one of these Standard Reference Datasets:

  1. CODATA Fundamental Physical Constants (NIST SRD 121): The fundamental physical constants have specific and universally-used symbols, including the velocity of light in vacuum (c), charge of the electron (e), and Planck’s constant (h). These constants are essential to basic theories of physics and our quantitative understanding of the physical universe. This resource provides the most accurate internationally recommended values of these constants available. NIST currently makes this dataset available on its website. This data is available in machine readable format.
  2. Ground Levels and Ionization Energies for the Neutral Atoms (NIST SRD 111): This resource provides scientific values of ground levels and ionization energies for neutral atoms. The data is primarily used by chemists and astronomers to calculate thermodynamic properties of atoms in chemical reactions and other kinetic processes. Atomic physicists use the values to benchmark experimental data for advanced atomic theories. NIST currently makes this dataset available on its website. The data is available in machine readable format.
  3. Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions (NIST SRD 144): This compilation of data provides atomic weights for elements 1 through 118, noting isotopic compositions or abundances when appropriate. Physicists and other scientists working with high-resolution optical spectra use this data for many applications, including detection of radioactive isotopes, dating of paintings and sculptures, and determining the origins of meteor samples. NIST currently makes this dataset available on its website. The data is available in machine readable format.
  4. NIST Computational Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark Database (CCCBDB, NIST SRD 101): The CCCBDB provides thermochemical data for a selected set of over 1,000 gas-phase atoms and molecules. It is used by chemists to compare experimental results with computational ideal-gas properties. NIST currently makes this dataset available on its website. The data is available in machine readable format.
  5. NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables (NIST SRD 13): This dataset contains critically evaluated thermochemical data for a range of chemical substances. Originally used by the aerospace industry to understand rocket propellant combustion, today the data are used world-wide as thermodynamic reference data in a range of chemistry, environmental, and materials applications. Industry scientists use these tables to predict thermodynamic information about chemical substances including equilibrium mixtures and heat release. NIST currently makes this dataset available on its website. The data is available in machine readable format.  
  6. NIST ITS-90 Thermocouple Database (NIST SRD 60): This thermometry database reproduces a subset of the tables and reference functions of NIST Monograph 175, “Temperature Electromotive Force Reference Functions and Tables for the Letter-Designated Thermocouple Types Based on the ITS-90.” It provides temperature calibration data that is used by scientists and engineers to convert a measured voltage to temperature, and is the basis for calibration of thermometers, instrument controllers, and other devices that rely on temperature for process control. These types of devices are found in virtually every technology including kitchen ovens, hot water heaters, residential and commercial furnaces, power plants, and more. NIST currently makes this database available on its website. The data is available in machine readable format.

 

Additional Freely Accessible Data

Freely accessible online NIST Standard Reference Data can be found by searching the NIST Data Gateway or using the NIST Public Dataset List. Participants in the Reference Data Challenge are invited to incorporate additional freely accessible data into their App (but must use at least one of the six datasets listed above). Participants should make sure they are authorized to use and distribute the data. Other freely accessible Federal datasets can be found at www.data.gov.

 

(Your App must use at least one of the Eligible NIST Datasets listed above.)