title: The gallium melting-point standard: its role in our temperature measurement system.
abstract: The latest internationally-adopted temperature scale, the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (amended edition of 1975), is discussed in some detail and a brief description is given of its evolution. The melting point of high-purity gallium (stated to be at least 99.99999% pure) as a secondary temperature reference point is evaluated. I believe that this melting-point temperature of gallium should be adopted by the various medical professional societies and voluntary standards groups as the reaction temperature for enzyme reference methods in clinical enzymology. Gallium melting-point cells are available at the National Bureau of Standards as Standard Reference Material No. 1968.
mesh_terms: D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005708:Gallium; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013821:Thermometers / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D005708:Gallium