National Physical Laboratory launches beta version of 'virtual testing' system The National Physical Laboratory has launched a beta version of its 'virtual testing' system for composites, which can be accessed at the web site listed below. The system demonstrates some of the principles of virtual testing, with respect to the future needs of design engineers working with these materials. While virtual testing may still be in its infancy, NPL reckons it will eventually replace much of the routine mechanical testing that is carried out at present.