Progress in precision mass measurements of atomic nuclei

Precision mass measurement of atomic nuclei is one of the most challenging and important tasks in nuclear physics. It plays an essential role in nuclear structure studies and in understanding the role of atomic nuclei in the cosmos. In this paper, two major facilities for precision nuclear mass measurements, storage rings and Penning traps, will be briefly described. The progress in direct mass measurements in recent years and the highlights of applications such as nuclear structure determination, nucleosynthesis, and the search for new isomers will be reviewed. Future trends of nuclear mass measurement will also be discussed.