A microbalance is a highly sensitive instrument used to measure very small masses, typically in the microgram range (one-millionth of a gram). It operates on the principle of mechanical oscillation, where a sample's weight causes a change in the oscillation frequency. This allows for precise measurements, making microbalances essential in fields like chemistry, materials science, and pharmaceuticals. Microbalances are often used in laboratories to analyze the mass of tiny samples, such as powders or thin films. They can also be employed in research involving nanotechnology and biotechnology, where accurate mass measurements are crucial for experiments and product development.