First app from NPL to help researchers working in the lab

The UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has released its first app for iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. It will provide researchers with easy and up-to-date access to the values for all the physical constants.

The app has been designed by NPL to be used by researchers in the laboratory to do fast accurate calculations without having to leave their work and consult textbooks.

Unlike other apps in this area all fundamental constant values (including exponents) can be accurately copied into a scientific calculator making Fundamental Physical Constants easy to use for accurate calculations while working in the laboratory.

NPL's Fundamental Physical Constants App is available through the Apple store. It covers not only the full range of fundamental constants but also the SI and derived units and SI Prefixes.

The values used in Fundamental Physical Constants are the latest values recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). They provide researchers with the most up-to-date values ensuring that their work is traceable back to the highest degree of accuracy.

The Fundamental Physical Constants App is the first app in a series to be developed by NPL, the UK's National Measurement Institute.

Established in 1900, NPL is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology.

Tim Prior, Business Development Manager at NPL, said: "For more than a century NPL has developed and maintained the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology. Previously we have shared this expertise with scientists through published papers and reference books, but have now developed our first app to ensure that the data is as accessible as possible, enabling researchers to use the information quickly and accurately to progress their own work."