The difference and application of microbalance and analytical balance

The difference and application of microbalance and analytical balance

A laboratory balance is a laboratory tool used for weighing, and a microbalance can accurately measure the weight of a tiny volume or tiny object with a resolution of one millionth of a gram. So, what's the difference between a microbalance and an analytical balance?

There are actually many kinds of microbalances. Commonly used in life science experiments is the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), whose min weighing value can reach 0.1ug is more sensitive, and can weigh samples as low as 0.1µg. There are also conical element oscillating microbalances (TEOM) for real-time detection of aerosol particles, as well as quartz fiber torsional ultramicrobalances, torsional ultramicrobalances, torsional nanobalances, ultramicrobalances, and nanobalances. Semi-microbalances, which have a readability of 0.01mg (10µg), are less sensitive than standard microbalances.

The difference between microbalances and analytical balances

Analytical balances are able to accurately measure the weight of objects, just like microbalances, but the main difference is that they are 100 times less time-sensitive and can only accurately weigh samples with an accuracy of 0.1 mg. Although they can be used to accurately measure the mass of a sample, their readability range is 0.1mg - 0.01mg weighing accuracy is not as good as microbalances.

Application of microbalance

Microbalances have a wide range of applications, including pipette calibration, pesticide analysis, particulate matter (filter) weighing, chemically sensitive sample weighing, scaffold weighing, ashing or incineration, coating measurement, drying, and checking for spills. Specifically, in the life sciences, microbalances have proven their value in a range of research areas. Because of their piezoelectric properties, quartz crystals are more sensitive than standard microbalances. Therefore, quartz crystal microbalance has become a microbalance type commonly used in life science laboratories. Among other things, it has been successfully used to detect pesticides in food, using its piezoelectric properties to generate signals in the presence of enzymes. In the field of life sciences, they are also being developed for the detection of pathogens and large molecular weight proteins, contributing to the field of mycotoxin analysis. Studies have used these scales to measure tiny levels of pollution to minimize these effects.

Microbalance:

Microbalance accuracy is superior to other laboratory analytical balances. The weighing range of microbalances is generally between 1 µg (0.000001g) and 10.1 g. The ultra-micro balance and even the min scale value can reach 0.1 µg. There are two important components of the laboratory balance: electronic components such as sensors and precision mechanical measurement units. When using microbalance, due to the high weighing requirements, its accuracy is easily affected by external environmental factors such as temperature and vibration. Therefore, when weighing, gloves are generally worn to prevent the residue and grease on the fingers from affecting the results.

Laboratory balance weighing steps:

1. Turn on the power, turn on the switch, and make the reading on the balance stable.

2. The container where the sample is to be added is placed on the weighing tray, and the operator tare the microbalance.

3. Then place the sample on the container and place it on the weighing tray.

4. Record the sample weight reading.

Note: Given the high sensitivity of microbalances, users should not touch the surface on which they are placed during testing and should identify and prevent all possible sources of vibration. If conditions permit, it can be operated on the shock platform. The balance should be placed away from air vents, vents, doors and Windows, and areas with heavy traffic to ensure the accuracy of the weighing. In addition, regularly check the ambient temperature and humidity, and do daily maintenance operations such as cleaning and dust removal.