Design and performance of a nano-Newton torsion balance

Here, we present a novel torsion balance with a torsional spring that can reach a resolution in the nano-Newton range while allowing for a total experimental weight of 2 kg. The balance uses an off-the-shelf electromagnetic actuator, which was calibrated. The oscillation of the balance is damped using an adaptable eddy-current brake to fine-tune the damping factor. Experiments and electronics are controlled and powered through four coaxial liquid contacts. The balance is shown to be highly linear between 0.01 and 300 μN. After an automated post-processing, the noise of a measurement was 1.0 nN, and an applied force of 10 nN had a calculated error of 11.9%

Experimental Evaluation of the VEM Drive

The VEM Drive (Variable-Electro-Magnetic Drive) is an invention by Space Warp Dynamics LLC that claims to distort space-time and thus creating an attractive force upon a target using frequencies in the VHF band. The experimental setup was replicated and tested at the Institute of Aerospacee Engineering at TU Dresden. We conclude that no anomalous force was present within our tested power levels and balance resolution some 6 orders of magnitude below the reported claim. The interaction of the high frequency with the power supply that was controlling a voice-coil actuator for teh balance was found to be responsible for a faciity side-effect that can mimic such an effect. This is important to consider foro future measurements