Of paramount importance in the field of nanotechnology is the ability to measure reliably the properties of nanomaterials, especially their size. In general, just an estimate of size is not sufficient: a quantitative indication of the estimate’s quality in the form of an assessment of its uncertainty is necessary as well. For example, standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) stipulates that appropriate methods and procedures shall be used for laboratory activities and for the analysis of data, including the identification and quantification of all contributions to the measurement uncertainties. In order to facilitate compliance with requirements such as these, a procedure is proposed for assessing the uncertainty in the evaluation of the mean area-equivalent diameter of a nanoparticle population by scanning electron microscopy. We take as reference the general approach proposed in the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement, which is globally seen as the de facto standard for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and as such, it is normally required for accreditation. Thus, the proposed approach, primarily intended for guidance, will hopefully be found practical, understandable and useful. Ideally, it should be validated, and perhaps improved, through international intercomparison exercises.

在纳米技术领域最重要的是能够可靠地测量纳米材料的特性，尤其是它们的尺寸。一般而言，仅对规模进行估计是不够的：还需要以评估其不确定性的形式对估计质量进行定量指示。例如，标准 ISO/IEC 17025:2017（测试和校准实验室能力的一般要求）规定，实验室活动和数据分析应使用适当的方法和程序，包括识别和量化所有贡献测量不确定度。为了便于遵守这些要求，提出了一种通过扫描电子显微镜评估纳米粒子群平均面积等效直径的不确定性的程序。我们参考测量不确定度表达指南中提出的一般方法，该方法在全球范围内被视为评估测量不确定度的事实上的标准，因此通常需要认可。因此，所提议的方法，主要是为了指导，有望被发现实用、易于理解和有用。理想情况下，应该通过国际比对活动对其进行验证，或许还可以加以改进。它被全球视为评估测量不确定度的事实上的标准，因此通常需要认证。因此，所提议的方法，主要是为了指导，有望被发现实用、易于理解和有用。理想情况下，应该通过国际比对活动对其进行验证，或许还可以加以改进。它被全球视为评估测量不确定度的事实上的标准，因此通常需要认证。因此，所提议的方法，主要是为了指导，有望被发现实用、易于理解和有用。理想情况下，应该通过国际比对活动对其进行验证，或许还可以加以改进。