Measurement Barriers to Technological Innovation: Web 2.0 Approaches to Promoting Collaborative Solutions through a Measurement Knowledge Hub

Advancements in alternative energy technologies, climate science, and fuel cells depend on accurate sensor measurements. These three critical areas to the nation's future economic health along with hundreds of other scientific challenges will benefit from an ongoing assessment of technological measurement needs by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Through Web 2.0 technologies including blogs and forums, the United States Measurement System, a part of NIST, aims to foster open source innovation to overcome the measurement challenges facing the nation. The author will present examples of unique measurement challenges searchable within the USMS Knowledge Hub using web based tools for collaborative innovation and potentially leading to unexpected solutions. The Knowledge Hub offers a resource for science stories in your local newscasts.