(31b) Implementation of Uncertainty Standards for the Worldwide Thermodynamics Community

In 2008, the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, Fluid Phase Equilibria, The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, International Journal of Thermophysics, and Thermochimica Acta agreed to implement simultaneously a process for handling of manuscripts that, for the first time, allowed detailed checking and validation of experimental thermophysical and thermochemical property data in advance of publication. These procedures are centered at the NIST Thermodynamics Research Center, where thousands of articles are considered each year, with very large numbers of problems detected and resolved. A key aspect of this work has been the development of practical and effective reporting standards for the field that promote clear, concise, and complete data representation that is also in accord with international standards for uncertainty assessment and representation (i.e., the “GUM”). The implemented procedures will be described, together with freely available online tools designed to aid researchers, reviewers, editors, and end users. Successes and challenges for the future will be emphasized.