A microbalance is an instrument capable of making precise measurements of weight of objects of relatively small mass: of the order of a million parts of a gram.

In comparison, a standard analytical balance is 100 times less sensitive; i.e. it is limited in precision to 0.1 milligrams.

A tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) is an instrument used for real-time detection of aerosol particles by measuring their mass concentration.

It makes use of a small vibrating glass tube whose oscillation frequency changes when aerosol particles are deposited on it.

Mine Safety and Health Administration for monitoring coal dust exposure for miners to prevent several respiratory diseases.