ASTM E2909-13 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Guide for Investigation/Study/Assay Tab‑Delimited Format for Nanotechnologies (ISA‑TAB‑Nano): Standard File Format for the Submission and Exchange of Data on Nanomaterials and Characterizations (Designation E2909‑13). The guide defines a set of spreadsheet / TAB‑delimited file conventions for representing nanomaterials, small molecules and biological specimens together with their assay and characterization metadata and summary data to support data exchange and submission.

Abstract

This guide specifies the ISA‑TAB‑Nano format — a tabular, spreadsheet-compatible file structure and set of fields intended to enable meaningful submission, exchange and integration of nanomaterial descriptions and characterization data (including metadata, summary data and references to raw/derived files and protocols). Appendices provide detailed field listings, worked examples, optional file guidance and background. The guide emphasizes SI units and notes that users remain responsible for appropriate safety and regulatory checks.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal recorded December 2021).
• Publication date: 2013 (edition E2909‑13; current edition approved Feb 1, 2013 / published 2013).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: Nanotechnologies (07.120); Information coding in general (35.040.01); IT applications in science (35.240.70).
• Edition / version: E2909‑13.
• Number of pages: 20 pages.

Scope

The guide specifies a TAB‑delimited / spreadsheet file format for representing and sharing (1) descriptions of nanomaterials, (2) associated small molecules and biological specimen metadata, and (3) assay characterization results and summary data. It is intended to facilitate exchange among researchers, data repositories and nanotechnology resources, and to support cross‑material comparisons by standardizing field names, units (SI) and file organization. The document includes appendices with field definitions, examples and optional file guidance. Note: the guide was withdrawn in 2021 due to limited industry use.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of ISA‑TAB‑Nano table structure and required/optional fields for Investigation, Study and Assay files.
• Metadata conventions for nanomaterial descriptors (composition, size, surface chemistry, provenance).
• Assay/result reporting and summary data fields (including links to raw/derived data and images).
• Appendices with field listings (Appendix X1), a practical example (Appendix X2), optional file discussion (Appendix X3) and background (Appendix X4).
• Requirement to use SI units for reported numeric values and a reminder that safety/regulatory applicability is the user’s responsibility.

Typical use and users

Intended users included nanotechnology researchers, laboratory data managers, repository curators, developers of data submission systems, and organizations sharing nanomaterial characterization datasets (e.g., academic labs, government reference labs and data platforms). It was particularly relevant where tabular, spreadsheet‑friendly exchange was preferred over heavier data models. Because the standard was withdrawn in late 2021 for limited industry adoption, contemporary users should verify whether alternative formats or community schemas are preferred for new projects.

Related standards

Related documents and efforts include the ISA‑TAB family (earlier ISA‑TAB specifications and tools), nanotechnology terminology standards (for example ASTM E2456 series / terminology), and data reporting guidance from reference laboratories such as the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL). Users exchanging structured nanomaterial data should also consider domain metadata and repository-specific submission requirements or more current community schemas adopted since 2013.

Keywords

ISA‑TAB‑Nano, ISA‑TAB, tab‑delimited format, nanomaterials, nanotechnology data exchange, metadata, assay data, data submission, ASTM E2909‑13, data standard, NCL.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2909‑13 is a Standard Guide that defined the ISA‑TAB‑Nano tab‑delimited (spreadsheet) format for representing and sharing nanomaterial descriptions and associated assay/characterization data.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the structure and field definitions for Investigation/Study/Assay tab‑delimited files, metadata conventions for nanomaterials and characterizations, examples and appendices describing optional files and background. It emphasizes SI units and provides guidance on linking to raw/derived data and protocol documents.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Researchers, data curators, repository operators and developers of data submission tools in the nanotechnology community who needed a simple, spreadsheet‑friendly exchange format. Note that community uptake was limited, and the guide was later withdrawn.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document E2909‑13 was withdrawn in December 2021 (withdrawn without replacement due to limited use). For current data‑exchange needs, check repository and community guidance for more recent or actively maintained schemas.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The guide is related conceptually to the ISA‑TAB family of formats and sits within ASTM’s E (materials/testing) series for nanotechnology guidance; it is not part of a numbered multi‑volume series but complements terminology and reporting guidance (for example ASTM E2456 terminology documents).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ISA‑TAB‑Nano, tab‑delimited, nanomaterial metadata, assay data, data exchange, ASTM E2909‑13, nanotechnology data reporting.