The National Institute of Standards and Technologies of the USA (NIST) has achieved a major advancement in high-precision mass measurements with the introduction of Portable desktop scales of Kibble. The Institute transferred the first copy of this groundbreaking innovation to the US Army at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama in early April.
The Kibble balances offer unparalleled accuracy in measuring mass, presenting new possibilities in various fields such as aviation equipment component weighing and precise drug dosage determination. This marks the first time these innovative scales are being used outside the institute.
Unlike traditional weight scales that rely on physical weights, the Kibble scales utilize electric currents and voltages for precise measurements. This method ensures higher accuracy and stability of readings over time.
NIST has been at the forefront of global efforts to redefine the international system of units (SI). In May 2019, the definition of a kilogram, the fundamental unit of mass measurement, was changed from a physical artifact to one based on natural constants like the speed of light and the charge of an electron.
Originally, Kibble balances were bulky and expensive research instruments, limiting their accessibility. Recognizing this, NIST has developed a compact and portable version to make this technology more widely available.
“We aim to extend this technology beyond scientific labs and make it available for industrial use. It is crucial for companies to have the ability to measure mass accurately without relying solely on NIST’s Kibble balances,” explained mechanical engineer Leon Chao from the institute.
The US Army took notice of this initiative and saw an opportunity to streamline the calibration process for mass measurement equipment in accordance with SI units. Currently, the army sends its mass standards to NIST for calibration using large Kibble balances, which then distribute the calibrated standards to army units. This multi-step process is time and resource-intensive.
Hence, NIST and the Army have joined forces in a three-year collaboration to develop a new generation of portable table-top Kibble weights. The objective is to eliminate intermediate steps in the current calibration chain.
Precise mass measurements are critical for the military for various reasons. Army medical facilities require accurate weighing of drug doses and analysis samples. Engineers rely on knowing the exact mass of equipment and weapons to calculate vehicle load limits.