Abstract: A thermal enclosure for a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) instrument comprises a plurality of first thermal shields, each first thermal shield constructed and arranged for positioning about a DSC unit of a plurality of DSC units coupled to a temperature control plate; and a second thermal shield constructed and arranged for positioning about the plurality of DSC units and the plurality of first thermal shields.

Abstract: A calorimeter and method is also provided, including a sample cell, a reference cell, a thermostat in thermal communication with the sample cell and the reference cell, a first conductive wire, the first conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the sample cell, and a second conductive wire, the second conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the reference cell.

Abstract: Described is a calorimeter that includes a thermal column, a sample container, a reference container, a thermal shield, a diffusion-bonded block and a thermal plate. One or more heat flux sensors are disposed between the thermal column and the sample container and between the thermal column and the reference container. The thermal shield is in thermal communication with the thermal column and is separated from and substantially encloses the sample container, reference container and thermal column. The diffusion-bonded block includes a first metallic layer having a first thermal conductivity, a second metallic layer having a second thermal conductivity and a third metallic layer having a third thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is different from the first and third thermal conductivities. The first metallic layer is in thermal communication with the base of the thermal column and the third metallic layer is in thermal communication with the thermal plate.

Abstract: Described is a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) instrument capable of performing analyses of multiple samples at the same time. Some embodiments of DSC instruments described herein include a thermal substrate that provides a substantially uniform temperature across a surface of the substrate. A plurality of DSC units is in thermal communication with the substrate, for example, by mounting the units directly to the surface of the substrate. Each DSC unit includes a second thermal substrate for further thermal isolation, and a reference platform and sample platform to receive a reference cell and a sample cell, respectively. A thermoelectric device is disposed between each platform and the second thermal substrate. Optionally, the reference and sample cells may be disposable chips that can be discarded after measurement are performed, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to clean instrument components to prevent cross-contamination for subsequent instrument operation.

Abstract: Described is a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) instrument capable of performing analyses of multiple samples at the same time. Some embodiments of DSC instruments described herein include a thermal substrate that provides a substantially uniform temperature across a surface of the substrate. A plurality of DSC units is in thermal communication with the substrate, for example, by mounting the units directly to the surface of the substrate. Each DSC unit includes a second thermal substrate for further thermal isolation, and a reference platform and sample platform to receive a reference cell and a sample cell, respectively. A thermoelectric device is disposed between each platform and the second thermal substrate. Optionally, the reference and sample cells may be disposable chips that can be discarded after measurement are performed, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to clean instrument components to prevent cross-contamination for subsequent instrument operation.

Abstract: A calorimeter and method is also provided, including a sample cell, a reference cell, a thermostat in thermal communication with the sample cell and the reference cell, a first conductive wire, the first conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the sample cell, and a second conductive wire, the second conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the reference cell.

Abstract: A calorimeter cell of a calorimetry system is provided, having a cell body having an internal region for receiving a first substance, the cell body being comprised of a chemically inert material, and a thermally conductive layer at least partially surrounding the chemically inert cell body. Furthermore, an associated calorimeter and method is also provided, including a sample cell, a reference cell, a thermostat in thermal communication with the sample cell and the reference cell, a first conductive wire, the first conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the sample cell, and a second conductive wire, the second conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the reference cell.

Abstract: Described is a calorimeter that includes a thermal column, a sample container, a reference container, a thermal shield, a diffusion-bonded block and a thermal plate. One or more heat flux sensors are disposed between the thermal column and the sample container and between the thermal column and the reference container. The thermal shield is in thermal communication with the thermal column and is separated from and substantially encloses the sample container, reference container and thermal column. The diffusion-bonded block includes a first metallic layer having a first thermal conductivity, a second metallic layer having a second thermal conductivity and a third metallic layer having a third thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is different from the first and third thermal conductivities. The first metallic layer is in thermal communication with the base of the thermal column and the third metallic layer is in thermal communication with the thermal plate.

Abstract: Described is a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) instrument capable of performing analyses of multiple samples at the same time. Some embodiments of DSC instruments described herein include a thermal substrate that provides a substantially uniform temperature across a surface of the substrate. A plurality of DSC units is in thermal communication with the substrate, for example, by mounting the units directly to the surface of the substrate. Each DSC unit includes a second thermal substrate for further thermal isolation, and a reference platform and sample platform to receive a reference cell and a sample cell, respectively. A thermoelectric device is disposed between each platform and the second thermal substrate. Optionally, the reference and sample cells may be disposable chips that can be discarded after measurement are performed, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to clean instrument components to prevent cross-contamination for subsequent instrument operation.

Abstract: A calorimeter with a heat sink that includes a diffusion-bonded block that has higher thermal conductivity laterally across the block than through the block. The diffusion-bonded block has multiple metallic layers that are diffusion-bonded together, with relatively higher thermal conductivity layers alternating with relatively lower thermal conductivity layers. The diffusion-bonded block may be used in differential scanning calorimeters, multi-cell differential scanning calorimeters, nano-differential scanning calorimeters and isothermal titration calorimeters, as well as other calorimeters that measure differential heat flow to and/or from a sample with respect to the heat flow to and/or from a reference.

Abstract: A stirring paddle for isothermal titration calorimetry includes a blade secured to one end of a shaft. The blade has an edge and a pair of opposing surfaces. A lip extends from the edge and forms a non-zero angle with respect to the opposing surfaces. In some embodiments, the blade has a twisted rectangular shape defined by a pair of first opposing edges and a pair of second opposing edges. One of the first opposing edges is oriented at a rotation angle with respect to the shaft axis that is different than an orientation of the other first opposing edge with respect to the shaft axis. Advantageously, the stirring paddle achieves improved turbulent mixing of injections into liquid within a sample cell, resulting in shorter measurement times. The improved mixing efficiency allows the stirring paddle to be operated at a lower rotation rate.

Abstract: A calorimeter cell of a calorimetry system is provided, having a cell body having an internal region for receiving a first substance, the cell body being comprised of a chemically inert material, and a thermally conductive layer at least partially surrounding the chemically inert cell body. Furthermore, an associated calorimeter and method is also provided, including a sample cell, a reference cell, a thermostat in thermal communication with the sample cell and the reference cell, a first conductive wire, the first conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the sample cell, and a second conductive wire, the second conductive wire having a first end connected to the thermostat and a second end connected to the reference cell.

Abstract: A calorimeter with a heat sink that includes a diffusion-bonded block that has higher thermal conductivity laterally across the block than through the block. The diffusion-bonded block has multiple metallic layers that are diffusion-bonded together, with relatively higher thermal conductivity layers alternating with relatively lower thermal conductivity layers. The diffusion-bonded block may be used in differential scanning calorimeters, multi-cell differential scanning calorimeters, nano-differential scanning calorimeters and isothermal titration calorimeters, as well as other calorimeters that measure differential heat flow to and/or from a sample with respect to the heat flow to and/or from a reference.

Abstract: A stirring paddle for isothermal titration calorimetry includes a blade secured to one end of a shaft. The blade has an edge and a pair of opposing surfaces. A lip extends from the edge and forms a non-zero angle with respect to the opposing surfaces. In some embodiments, the blade has a twisted rectangular shape defined by a pair of first opposing edges and a pair of second opposing edges. One of the first opposing edges is oriented at a rotation angle with respect to the shaft axis that is different than an orientation of the other first opposing edge with respect to the shaft axis. Advantageously, the stirring paddle achieves improved turbulent mixing of injections into liquid within a sample cell, resulting in shorter measurement times. The improved mixing efficiency allows the stirring paddle to be operated at a lower rotation rate.