A torsion balance is provided which includes a twisting wire and a reflector. The twisting wire is a suspended carbon nanotube. The reflector is hung on the twisting wire. The reflector further includes a film, a first reflecting layer, and a second reflecting layer; and the film includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first reflecting layer is located on the first surface and the second reflecting layer is located on the second surface.

An elastically deformable load bearing structure includes a measuring arrangement for measuring a magnitude of a load acting on the load bearing structure in a loadable section. A mechanical transmission element extends from the loadable section to a measuring section of the load bearing structure and cooperates operatively with a sensor. The sensor is arranged in the measurement section. The mechanical transmission element is constructed as a pivotable rocker supported by a rocker bearing positioned inside a length of the transmission element.

An elastically deformable load bearing structure includes a measuring arrangement for measuring a magnitude of a load acting on the load bearing structure in a loadable section. A mechanical transmission element extends from the loadable section to a measuring section of the load bearing structure and cooperates operatively with a sensor. The sensor is arranged in the measurement section. The mechanical transmission element is constructed as a pivotable rocker supported by a rocker bearing positioned inside a length of the transmission element.

A decision-making system includes a balance scale, a plurality of stones, a journal, and a writing utensil. The decision-making system is useful for visualizing the positive and negative aspects of a situation in order to come to a logical decision. Stones of a first color and stones of a second color of varying weights are used to represent positive and negative aspects of a decision and their corresponding magnitudes as perceived by a user. The stones are placed into opposite sides of the scale, which visually indicates the weightier of the two sides. If the stones of a first color are heavier, the decision may be perceived to be a positive one; if the stones of a second color are heavier, the decision may be a negative one. Alternatively, the decision-making system may be used for evaluating the positivity or negativity of a situation which does not necessitate a decision.

A decision-making system includes a balance scale, a plurality of stones, a journal, and a writing utensil. The decision-making system is useful for visualizing the positive and negative aspects of a situation in order to come to a logical decision. Stones of a first color and stones of a second color of varying weights are used to represent positive and negative aspects of a decision and their corresponding magnitudes as perceived by a user. The stones are placed into opposite sides of the scale, which visually indicates the weightier of the two sides. If the stones of a first color are heavier, the decision may be perceived to be a positive one; if the stones of a second color are heavier, the decision may be a negative one. Alternatively, the decision-making system may be used for evaluating the positivity or negativity of a situation which does not necessitate a decision.

An assembly operable for measuring one of a force and a moment, comprising: a compliant flexure mechanism that is one of deflected and deformed under an applied load; a low resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively higher load; and a high resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively lower load; wherein the high resolution load sensor is one of a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a distance from the compliant flexure mechanism and a contact sensor that is not subject to damage by the relatively higher load. Optionally, the low resolution load sensor is disposed adjacent to a narrowed neck portion of the compliant flexure mechanism.

An assembly operable for measuring one of a force and a moment, comprising: a compliant flexure mechanism that is one of deflected and deformed under an applied load; a low resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively higher load; and a high resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively lower load; wherein the high resolution load sensor is one of a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a distance from the compliant flexure mechanism and a contact sensor that is not subject to damage by the relatively higher load. Optionally, the low resolution load sensor is disposed adjacent to a narrowed neck portion of the compliant flexure mechanism.