An instrument, comprising: a sample container configured to hold a sample and a reference container configured to hold a reference material, the sample and reference containers (502, 503) having a sample sensor and a reference sensor, respectively, the sample sensor configured to generate an electrical signal representative of a temperature of the sample container and a sample contained therein, and the reference sensor configured to generate an electrical signal representative of a temperature of the reference container and any reference material contained therein; a sample beam mechanically coupled at a first end to the sample container and a reference beam mechanically coupled at a first end to the reference container; a first sample balance member and first reference balance member mechanically coupled to a second end of the sample beam and the reference balance beam, respectively; a second sample balance member and second reference balance member pivotally connected to the first sample balance member and first balance member, respectively, using a pivot assembly, characterised in that each of the first and second sample and reference balance members (506, 507; 510, 513) is a composite member that includes electrically conductive paths that are affixed to an insulating portion of the composite member, and that the instrument is configured to conduct electrical signals along an electrically conductive path that extends from the sample and reference containers (502, 503) along at least a portion of the first sample and first reference balance members (506, 507), through the pivot assembly and along at least a portion of the second sample and second reference balance members (510, 513). a sample container configured to hold a sample and a reference container configured to hold a reference material, the sample and reference containers (502, 503) having a sample sensor and a reference sensor, respectively, the sample sensor configured to generate an electrical signal representative of a temperature of the sample container and a sample contained therein, and the reference sensor configured to generate an electrical signal representative of a temperature of the reference container and any reference material contained therein; a sample beam mechanically coupled at a first end to the sample container and a reference beam mechanically coupled at a first end to the reference container; a first sample balance member and first reference balance member mechanically coupled to a second end of the sample beam and the reference balance beam, respectively; a second sample balance member and second reference balance member pivotally connected to the first sample balance member and first balance member, respectively, using a pivot assembly, characterised in that each of the first and second sample and reference balance members (506, 507; 510, 513) is a composite member that includes electrically conductive paths that are affixed to an insulating portion of the composite member, and that the instrument is configured to conduct electrical signals along an electrically conductive path that extends from the sample and reference containers (502, 503) along at least a portion of the first sample and first reference balance members (506, 507), through the pivot assembly and along at least a portion of the second sample and second reference balance members (510, 513).