Perspective on small mass and force measurements

Abstract

Abstract The measurement of small mass and force is as pertinent now as it was in 1923 when E M Eden and C G Eden published their article titled ‘Two machines for rapidly weighing loads of a few milligrams’ in the inaugural edition of the Measurement Science and Technology journal (formerly known as the Journal of Scientific Instruments). In the century since, measurement techniques have evolved and become more accurate with current uncertainties of nanograms at the milligram level measurements. This article reviews these advancements as well as the applications for small mass and force measurement that have evolved over the last century.