National Measurement Institute
Lehany Theatre, West Lindfield
Sydney
[check against delivery]
Introduction
Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here today for this significant occasion for Australian science.
Today Australian scientists from CSIRO and the National Measurement Institute (NMI) will deliver to an international team of scientists, two unique silicon spheres of almost perfect roundness and surface finish.
I understand that some of the world’s leaders in the field of mass, length, density measurements, and in atomic and material properties, are also here today.
General
Today marks an important day for the Avogadro project. This is a project about both scientific breakthroughs and providing the world with a reliable standard for mass.
The present kilogram is defined by a physical object kept in Paris. There are concerns that this kilogram may be changing slowly, by a very small but measurable amount.
It is important that we have a standard in which we have complete confidence, to underpin present and future technological innovations.
The international definition of the kilogram is the peak measurement standard of mass to which all others world wide 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, so improving the kilogram will improve our measurement capabilities in these and other areas. This is good news for those industries that rely on very accurate measurement such as aerospace.
The international measurement community is tackling this problem of the concerns about the kilogram and the International Avogadro Coordination (IAC) is an important part of this work.
Measurement reform in Australia
National measurement institutes, such as NMI, develop measurement standards to address industrial and community needs from advanced technologies through to everyday trading.
Australia will have one system for regulating measurement overseen by NMI from July 2010. This is vital for our domestic economy, reducing the red tape on business and assisting exporters and international companies to more easily trade across borders.
NMI was recognised by the Prime Minister and Premiers at the Council of Australian Governments the other day as having made excellent progress in establishing a national trade measurement system and as Minister I intend to see this work through as one of the regulatory reform 'hotspots' that will help business.
International collaboration on Avogadro
Whilst I understand that Avogadro was borne from a simple need to know that the kilogram in the coming decades and centuries will be reliable it has encompassed work right across the globe that has led to today's ceremony.
This international collaboration is something to be proud of and reflects that all people can benefit from more accurate weights and measures.
The importance of Avogadro is reflected in the fact the measurement institutes of Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and Australia are working on it, together with the specialist institute of the EU and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris; partnering with a consortium of Russian, German and US scientific institutes.
And the lessons for policy are clear. Through collaborative scientific work, Australia can contribute its' own expertise to work such as this and also draw upon scientific expertise beyond our own resources.
The value of international collaboration to Australia is immense. As a small nation we can access scientific and technological expertise beyond our resources. This is why the Government regards international cooperation as a critical factor in its Innovation Policy.
Australia's role in Avogadro
Australia has been a vital player in this project and the Government is very proud of this role.
I understand that CSIRO's optical fabrication laboratories (now the Australian Centre for Precision Optics) developed the fabrication techniques to make spheres of almost perfect form.
Australian measurement scientists, now with NMI, developed new techniques and instruments to more precisely measure deviations in nanometres and the combination of this measurement precision and the new fabrication techniques was important in producing the spheres I am presenting today.
The spheres
Australia contributed its expertise in making the spheres as part of the process.
In July last year a very special cylinder of silicon was delivered to NMI to make the spheres we see today.
Preparation of this cylinder took 3 years and was the outcome of the highest levels of technology applied in Russia to the preparation of the silicon, and in Germany where it was grown into a near perfect crystal.
The spheres will be taken to Paris and from there to Germany and Japan for measurements which will in turn contribute to the redefinition of the kilogram in terms of the Avogadro Constant.
The International Committee for Weights and Measures (which oversees the International System of Units) and other relevant international bodies will decide on when and how the International System of Units should be changed to reflect a new “atomic” defined kilogram.
So it is with great pleasure that I am here today to celebrate this scientific effort that has led to this presentation.
Presentation
As the Minister responsible for Australia’s measurement infrastructure, I am proud to hand-over one of these near-perfect silicon spheres to Dr Peter Becker of the International Avogadro Coordination.
I will then call upon Dr Calum Drummond to present the other sphere to Mr Alain Picard of the BIPM on behalf of CSIRO.