While they may seem like two very different items, the clocks that set a standard time in Singapore and Changi Airport's thermal imagers which screen body temperatures share something in common. The accuracy of these items are imperative and are made possible through metrology or the science of measurement.

An industry conference was held on Monday in conjunction with World Metrology Day at the National University of Singapore. The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of measurements in daily living and industry.

Said Dr Thomas Liew, executive director of the National Metrology Centre (NMC): "Accurate measurement is very important in many things that keep us safe and healthy, When we use services that require measurement, we may want to understand if the instruments that are used to measure have been calibrated and held to the highest standard."

The NMC, an institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), has also helped to develop measurement of medical ultrasound and sound level meters for noisy worksites.