Skip to content
Logo

Hackaday

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Hackaday.io
  • Contests
  • Submit
  • About

shadow sensor

1 Articles

DIY Watt-Balance Redefines Your Kilograms From Scratch

September 30, 2016 by Moritz Walter 34 Comments
national_prototype_kilogram_k20_replica
The definition of the kilogram is still a chunk of metal.

Machined from a chunk of a virtually indestructible platinum-iridium alloy, the international prototype kilogram (IPK) was built to last for an eternity. And yet, being the last remaining, physical artifact in a club of fundamental SI units, the current definition of the kilogram has worn out. Most certainly the watt-balance will take its place, and redefine the kilogram with a true, physical phenomenon. [Grady] just built his own watt-balance from scratch, and he provides you with a decent portion of scientific background on the matter.

Continue reading “DIY Watt-Balance Redefines Your Kilograms From Scratch” →

Posted in Misc HacksTagged electromagnetic actuators, electromagnets, optical feedback, shadow sensor, si units, watt balance

Search

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe

If you missed it

  • TurboQuant: Reducing LLM Memory Usage With Vector Quantization

    28 Comments
  • AI For The Skeptics: Pick Your Reasons To Be Excited

    65 Comments
  • CCA Ethernet Cables: Not Up To Scratch, But Are They Dangerous?

    48 Comments
  • With Affordable Storage Options Dwindling, Where To Store Our Data?

    63 Comments
  • Ask Hackaday: How Much Compute Is Enough?

    77 Comments
More from this category

Our Columns

  • 2026 Hackaday Europe: First Round Of Speakers Announced!

    3 Comments
  • In Space (Probably) Everyone Can Hear You.. Well, You Know

    29 Comments
  • Re-Learning How To Run

    42 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 364: Clocks, Cameras, And Free Will

    5 Comments
  • This Week In Security: The Supply Chain Has Problems

    7 Comments
More from this category

Search

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe

If you missed it

  • TurboQuant: Reducing LLM Memory Usage With Vector Quantization

    28 Comments
  • AI For The Skeptics: Pick Your Reasons To Be Excited

    65 Comments
  • CCA Ethernet Cables: Not Up To Scratch, But Are They Dangerous?

    48 Comments
  • With Affordable Storage Options Dwindling, Where To Store Our Data?

    63 Comments
  • Ask Hackaday: How Much Compute Is Enough?

    77 Comments
More from this category

Categories

Our Columns

  • 2026 Hackaday Europe: First Round Of Speakers Announced!

    3 Comments
  • In Space (Probably) Everyone Can Hear You.. Well, You Know

    29 Comments
  • Re-Learning How To Run

    42 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 364: Clocks, Cameras, And Free Will

    5 Comments
  • This Week In Security: The Supply Chain Has Problems

    7 Comments
More from this category

Recent comments

  • Nikolai on Reflecting On Microsoft Windows Vista In 2026
  • Marty on Reflecting On Microsoft Windows Vista In 2026
  • Joshua on Reflecting On Microsoft Windows Vista In 2026
  • Joshua on Reflecting On Microsoft Windows Vista In 2026
  • FeRDNYC on Variable-Pitch Propellers For More Efficient Quadcopter
  • Chris on USB, Abstracted
  • C on Reflecting On Microsoft Windows Vista In 2026
  • Elliot Williams on Are We Surrendering Our Thinking To Machines?
  • FeRDNYC on [Kerry Wong] Finds SMD Test Clips
  • phuzz on WolfIP Doesn’t Allocate
Logo
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Hackaday.io
  • Tindie
  • Video
  • Submit A Tip
  • About
  • Contact Us

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe to Newsletter

Copyright © 2026 | Hackaday, Hack A Day, and the Skull and Wrenches Logo are Trademarks of Hackaday.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Digital Services Act | Do not sell or share my personal informationCookie Management
Powered by WordPress VIP
 

Loading Comments...