Implementing Metrology in the European Research Area (iMERA-Plus)

The first phase of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) was known as iMERA-Plus, implementing Metrology in the European Research Area, and was launched in 2007. It was one of the first of a new type of medium-sized actions launched under FP7 (ERA-NET Plus), which aimed at aligning and enhancing national programmes.

Resources from the publicly funded metrology laboratories from 19 European countries, plus the European Commission's measurement institute (IRMM) were committed within a single joint call for metrology research projects.

In total, 64.6 M€ of resources were brought together, with the European Commission providing 21 M€ of funding, the balance provided from national resources. The two-step call ran between May and December 2007, and pivoted on independent peer review and selection of the very best metrology research proposals.

A total of 21 collaborative projects were launched in four targeted programmes, each project chosen for the quality of science and potential to make a significant contribution in its field. The successful JRPs were launched between February and July 2008 and ran for three years.

The 21 iMERA-Plus projects produced a wide range of significant impacts in metrology, industry and other fields of research, as well as contributing to the redefintion of a number of SI units.

Following completion of the projects, EURAMET displayed a series of posters at the International Congress of Metrology 2011. The posters highlighted the need for funding, the technical achievements and the impacts of each of the 21 projects.

Posters

There are posters for each of the 21 completed iMERA-Plus joint research projects available.
The posters show the technical achievements and the impacts of each project.

Below are downloadable, low-resolution versions of each of these posters.
High-resolution versions of the posters, suitable for printing up to A0 size, are also available on request. Please e-mail the Management Support Unit if you wish to receive a copy.

Poster JRP Short Name JRP Coordinator

Theme 1: SI and Fundamental Metrology
 
The watt balance route towards a new definition of the kilogram e-Mass Gérard Genevès (LNE)
Avogadro and molar Planck constants for the redefinition of the kilogram NAH Giovanni Mana (INRIM)
Foundations for a redefinition of the SI base unit ampere REUNIAM Franz Ahlers (PTB)
Determination of the Boltzmann constant for the redefinition of the kelvin Boltzmann constant Joachim Fischer (PTB)
Optical clocks for a new definition of the second OCS Pierre Lemonde (LNE)
Candela: towards quantum-based photon standards qu-Candela Maria Rastello (INRIM)

Theme 2: Health
 
Breath analysis as a diagnostic tool for early disease detection Breath analysis Adrian van der Veen (VSL)
Metrology on a cellular scale for regenerative medicine Regnmed Paul Tomlins (NPL)
Increasing cancer treatment efficiacy using 3D brachytherapy Brachytherapy Maria Pia Toni (ENEA)
External Beam Cancer Therapy EBCT Ulrike Ankerhold (PTB)
Traceable measurements for biospecies and ion activity in clinical chemistry TRACEBIOACTIVITY Bernd Güttler (PTB)
Traceability of Complex Biomolecules and Biomarkers in Diagnostics - Effecting Measurement Comparability in Clinical Medicine CLINIBIOTRACE Helen Parkes (LGC)

Theme 3: Length
 
Traceable Characterisation of Nanoparticles Nanoparticles Alexandre Cuenat (NPL)
New Traceability Routes for Nanometrology NANOTRACE Marco Pisani (INRIM)
Metrology for New Industrial Measurement Technologies NIMTech Frank Härtig (PTB)
Absolute long distance measurement in air Long distance Jean-Pierre Wallerand (CNAM)

Theme 4: Electricity and Magnetism
 
Next generation of power and energy measuring techniques Power & Energy Paul Wright (NPL)
Nanomagnetism and Spintronics NanoSpin Massimo Pasquale (INRIM)
Next generation of quantum voltage systems for wide range applications JOSY Ralf Behr (PTB)
Enabling ultimate metrological Quantum Hall Effect (QHE) devices ULQHE Félicien Schopfer (LNE)
Traceable measurements of field strength and SAR for the Physical Agents Directive EMF and SAR Thorsten Schrader (PTB)

 

 

Report

This brief final report outlines the rationale for the EMRP, its early benefits and unique features, for a general audience.