SI Traceability of Force at the Nanonewton Level

Published

July 1, 2001

Author(s)

David B. Newell, Jon R. Pratt, John A. Kramar, Douglas T. Smith, L. A. Feeney, Edwin R. Williams

Abstract

Although nanonewton force measurements are commonplace in industry, no National Measurement Institute supports a link to the International System of Units (SI) below one newton. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has launched a five-year inter-laboratory project focusing on the development of an instrument and laboratory capable of realizing and measuring the SI unit of force below 5 micronewtons using the electrical units as the link to the SI. We will give a brief overview of this project, instrument performance objectives and designs, and initial trials with a prototype electrostatic force balance.

Proceedings Title

Proc. National Conference of Standards Laboratories Workshop and Symposium (NCSL)

Conference Dates

July 29-August 2, 2001

Conference Location

Washington, DC

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

force metrology, mass metrology, nanotechnology

Citation

Newell, D. , Pratt, J. , Kramar, J. , Smith, D. , Feeney, L. and Williams, E. (2001), SI Traceability of Force at the Nanonewton Level, Proc. National Conference of Standards Laboratories Workshop and Symposium (NCSL), Washington, DC, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=7241 (Accessed October 27, 2025)