1996 ANNUAL REPORT

OTHER PROGRAMS

In response to requests from other federal agencies the Division conducts research on a reimbursable basis to solve specific needs of the requesting agency. The nature of these activities changes from year to year depending on national priorities. Specific projects include assistance to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State to evaluate candidate security laminates and a long term activity with the National Institute of Dental Research to develop improved dental restorative materials. The last mentioned project is included in the report on the Dental and Medical Materials Program.

Diffusion of Gases in Polymeric Materials
Charles Guttman and William Blair

Objectives
The objective are to develop and apply measurement techniques capable of quantifying the adsorption characteristics of polymeric materials in the presence of flowing gas streams.

Technical Description
The experimental apparatus used in this research measures the reductions in the concentration of permeable gases caused by passing the gas stream over the polymeric material. A luminescence detection method provides sufficient sensitivity for detection of changes in concentrations of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur of the order of L/L.

Accomplishments

• An experimental apparatus has been constructed and successfully used to detect small changes in L/L and nL/L concentrations of pollutant gases, NO, NO₂ and SO₂ in air with varying humidity.
  
• Preliminary studies have shown absorption of SO₂ gas at 400 L/L in air by polyimide films, but none by poly(vinylidene fluoride) films at the same gas concentrations.
  

Development and Use of Test Methods for Qualification of Passport Laminates
W.G. McDonough and D.L. Hunston

Objectives
The objectives are to perform testing and provide consultation to assist the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State in selecting and purchasing the plastic laminate that is used to protect the photograph and descriptive information on the U.S. Passport. Also, the work includes testing and providing consultation on the development of next generation materials for the U.S. Passport.

Technical Description
NIST's responsibilities include performing evaluation tests as part of the solicitation process, examining new materials and security concepts that become available, and developing new test methods as required by progress in the field. The area of the passport that contains the photograph and descriptive information is called the data page. The laminates must protect this page from dirt, spills and abrasions that may occur in normal use. In addition, these laminates must resist attempts to tamper with the photograph or data page. When new laminating material is needed, the Department of State issues a solicitation inviting manufacturers to submit products for evaluation. NIST has a continuing cooperative program with the State Department to assist in this activity. NIST's responsibilities include: (1) consulting on the plan for evaluation tests included in the solicitation, (2) performing these tests as part of the solicitation process, (3) examining new materials and security concepts that become available, and (4) developing new test methods as required by progress in the field. Finally, where appropriate, NIST and the State Department provide feedback to the manufacturers on the performance of their technology in the evaluation. This assists the companies in making better materials for the future and thereby helps the Government improve the security of the passport.

Accomplishments
The current plan for evaluation tests includes ten different measurements and NIST conducts nine of these. In past work, a number of the tests have been refined and improved by NIST in consultation with the State Department as part of this project. The measurements assess susceptibility to attack by common fluids, durability and processability of the materials, and resistance to tampering. The results are provided to the State Department who combines them with cost and other data to make a final procurement decision.

During the past year, a number of new concepts in lamination technology were evaluated and compared as a guide to future directions for this field. The results were reported to the State Department.

Outputs
Reports on the work are provided to the State Department on a periodic basis. This work has enabled the State Department to implement new security measures in passports. The two key factors are that NIST's technical expertise has enabled the development of test methods that compare laminates with very different approaches to security, and NIST has the impartiality to gain industries' respect.