Metrology Glossary: Compression
What Is Compression?
Compression refers to the act of decreasing the spatial dimensions of a substance without altering its mass. By subjecting the substance to pressure, its constituent molecules are pushed nearer to each other. This technique finds application in diverse areas, including data storage, file size reduction, and fortifying materials, where it contributes to increased efficiency and functionality.
Why Is Compression Important?
- Enhancing Material Strength: Compression techniques are utilized to fortify materials by augmenting their density and resilience against damage. This is evident in applications such as composite materials, where compression reinforces the cohesion between fibers and matrix, enhancing overall durability and rigidity.
- Efficient Data Management: Compression substantially diminishes the data size, enabling more streamlined storage and transmission. This proves essential for managing expansive datasets, multimedia files, and archives, resulting in expedited loading times and reduced storage space requirements.
- Optimizing Network Bandwidth: Data compression plays a pivotal role in optimizing network bandwidth utilization. Through the transmission of compressed data, networks achieve heightened efficiency, leading to swifter loading times, diminished latency, and an overall enhancement in performance.

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