The Importance of Metrology

Simply put, metrology is the scientific study of measurements. It is applied in almost every aspect of our lives from healthcare, energy, technology, aviation to name just but a few. It is difficult to imagine how the world would operate without metrology.

How would airplanes operate? How would have electricity been distributed around the world? And how would cell phones and credit cards have worked? In other words, metrology plays a big role in different sectors of our economy. We depend on almost on a daily basis to carry out most of our tasks.

It facilitates research and increases knowledge

It is almost impossible to talk about research without the mention of metrology. How will you be able to come up with conditions of examining a phenomenon? Or how will researchers be able to create and approve instruments to be used in research without the use of metrology?

No research is complete without measurements. Every research needs measurements right from the beginning to the final stage. You need to measure if the objectives of the project have been met or not. All that requires the use of metrology concepts.

For protection

Metrology plays a big part when it comes to protecting lives. This is something that most people probably don’t understand. The accurate measurement of radiation, dosing of drugs, road safety, and food safety are all done by the help of metrology.

Besides, metrology helps save lives during emergencies. All airlines, ships, and inexperienced hikers mostly use emergency locator beacons referred to as Search and Rescue Satellite Tracking (SARSAT). The system was created using metrology and has so far saved over 40,000 lives.

Metrology also protects lives in terms of road safety. The science of measurements is used in the restriction of speed, detecting alcohol among other safety measures.

Budgeting

Did you know that metrology helps us to save money? Virtually every transaction made in different settings uses measurements. For instance, the measurement of gas consumption, determining nutrition labels on food, measurement of the amount of gasoline intake among others.

Without metrology, it would be close to impossible to price products according to the desired quantity. In other words, metrology has helped to set transaction guidelines between businesses and their customers. These guidelines ensure that customers only pay for what they purchase.

Used in certain legal matters

Labor laws rely on systems that use the concept of metrology to track the hours worked. Through metrology, employers are able to determine how much time an employee has worked over a certain period. This makes it easy for them to monitor productivity and pay their employees accordingly.

Another area that can’t do without metrology is environmental law. This mainly because environmental conservation only uses statutory requirements concerning the quality of water and air.

Industrial companies are supposed to adhere to certain levels of emission to control or prevent pollution. Authorities use numerical values aided by metrology to measure the levels of emission.

Healthcare sector

Metrology has helped transform the medical sector in many ways. The first one is through medical devices. The correct diagnosis of various diseases largely depends on the accuracy levels associated with the medical device used.

The other area is non-contact inspection techniques. Just like any other manufacturing industry, medical equipment manufacturing companies are constantly exploring ways of reducing the cost without compromising quality. Metrology has been critical in the development of modern non-contact inspection solutions.

A good example of such technology includes blue light lasers and white light technology. Both of them have sophisticated systems and sensors that have the ability to measure components normally used for prosthetic devices as well as robotic surgical equipment.

Last but not least is the reduction of deaths and injuries. Through the use of modern equipment that have higher accuracy levels, doctors are able to perform correct diagnosis and treatment. This has helped save many lives and injuries.