Corporate Body

CSIR/O Division of Physics (1945 - 1973)

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

From
1945
Chippendale, New South Wales, Australia
To
1973
Functions
Industrial or scientific research
Location
Chippendale, New South Wales

Summary

The CSIR/O Division of Physics, previously the CSIR Physics Section, was part of the CSIR/O National Standards Laboratory, along with the Divisions of Metrology and Electrotechnology. At the conclusion of the Second World War the Physics Section became the Division of Physics. Almost thirty years later, in 1974, the National Standards Laboratory was renamed the National Measurement Laboratory. This incorporated the Divisions of Physics and Applied Physics. The Division of Applied Physics reappeared in 1980, when the National Measurement Laboratory was renamed.

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From "CSIRO research for Australia" (1962) pdf page 50-51:
"The Division of Physic is responsible for the standards of temperature, photometry hygrometry and viscometry, and it also maintains the Cnternational Temperature Scale. A number of ingenious and novel techniques and instruments have been devised for measuring these quantities. A typical example is a fast, accurate and convenient hygrometer which can be used to obtain relative humidjty readings within two minutes. The Division's officers visit industrial establishments to calibrate thermometers and pyrometers in situ. Well-attended courses in temperature control are held for technicians from industry.

Fundamental research includes work on solid state physics and solar physics. The solid state programme is designed for the study of the physical properties of both metallic and insulating substances, and the inter-atomic forces which determine these properties. The solar physics work is aimed at finding out how corona flares and other visible changes in the sun's surface are related to phenomena directly affecting such things as radio communications on Earth."

Timeline

 1939 - 1945 CSIR Physics Section
       1945 - 1973 CSIR/O Division of Physics
             1974 - 1979 National Measurement Laboratory - CSIRO
                   1979 - 1996 CSIRO Division of Applied Physics [II]
                         1996 - CSIRO Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics

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Ailie Smith

Created: 6 July 2000, Last modified: 23 April 2025

EOAS ID: biogs/A000682b.htm

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