New kilogram could have mass appeal, say scientists

You won’t feel it happen, but the kilogram, used to measure the mass of electrons, galaxies, and everything in between, is about to be transformed. The General Conference on Weights and Measures is set to meet to redefine the kilogram in terms of a physical constant, Planck's constant. Ronald Fox of the School of Physics, an early advocate of redefining the kilogram, is very pleased. Commenting on the story, he mentions the LIGO experiment to detect gravitational waves, in which Georgia Tech researchers participated. "The unit of mass is very important because you're looking at a very, very delicate effect."