Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing an adiabatic power compensation differential scanning calorimeter to minimize a temperature difference between a sample and a reference. For instance, methods can include providing ramp-up heating power to heat a sample container and a reference container based on a preprogrammed temperature ramp rate; minimizing a temperature difference among the sample container, the reference container, and at least one furnace; providing compensating heat to the sample container and the reference container when a self-heating activity of the sample material is detected; providing container-only compensating heat to the sample container to block heat transfer from the sample material to the sample container once the self-heating activity of the sample material is detected; and providing compensating heat to the reference container to facilitate container-only compensating heat calculation and control.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining a power value of a target in the form of an AC circuit (130; 230; 330) having an AC power source (132; 232; 332). The method involves operating (72) a controllable DC power source (12) to provide DC power to a DC circuit (10; 110; 210; 310) and measuring (73) at least one thermal parameter related to power dissipation of the DC circuit (10; 110; 210; 310) and of the target AC circuit (30; 130; 230; 330), wherein at least one heat sink (160a, 160b; 260; 360) is thermally coupled between the DC circuit (10; 110; 210; 310) and the target AC circuit (30; 130; 230; 330). The method further involves controlling (74) the DC power source (12) based on the measured at least one thermal parameter to reduce a difference in power dissipation between the DC circuit (10; 110; 210; 310) and the target AC circuit (30; 130; 230; 330).

Abstract: An adiabatic concrete calorimeter includes a thermal chamber and a heat well subassembly for being positioned in the thermal chamber. The heat well subassembly includes a test cylinder container and a test cylinder mold adapted to be positioned in the test cylinder container for defining the shape of a concrete test specimen formed in the test cylinder mold. Temperature sensors determine the temperature of the concrete test specimen, and transmit temperature data from the temperature sensors to a controller. Electrically-energized heaters are positioned on a surface of the test cylinder container for applying heat to the test cylinder container. A controller determines heat loss of the concrete test specimen and outputs data to the heaters whereby the heaters supply heat to the concrete test specimen sufficient to compensate for heat losses to an ambient environment and maintain the heat of hydration of the concrete test specimen.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a phase transformation process of a material comprises providing a spherical sample of the material, measuring and recording a first data series of core temperature at the sample's center of gravity, measuring and recording a respective second data series of temperature at the sample's periphery, measuring and recording a respective third data series of radial displacements at the sample's periphery, and calculating a change in pressure in the sample at a plurality of points in time based on first, second and third said data series.

Abstract: A test apparatus for evaluating thermal properties of a test specimen across a wide range of thermal conductivities and temperature ranges using a flat plate cup cryostat. The test apparatus includes: a heater assembly having an upper surface to receive a test specimen; a cold plate positioned on top of the test specimen; a vessel comprising an outer cylindrical tube closed on a bottom end by the cold plate; an inner cylindrical tube concentrically received in an upper portion of the outer cylindrical tube above the vessel to vent the vessel; insulation material surrounding at least the heater assembly, test specimen, cold plate, and vessel; a sensor that detects boiloff or evaporation rate of liquid from the vessel vented from the inner cylindrical tube; temperature sensors positioned to detect temperatures of the heater assembly and the cold plate; and a data recording device to record the boiloff or evaporation rates and temperature values.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is externally heated to induce thermal runaway, and material expelled from the battery is analyzed.

Abstract: Large volume calorimeters (100) and small volume, or cell, calorimeters (700), as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods of determining a temperature of a load introduced into a chamber are provided. The computer-implemented method includes applying a power output to a medium in at least a portion of a chamber at a level to modify the temperature of the medium to achieve a predetermined medium temperature. A steady state power output level to achieve the predetermined medium temperature is determined using a computer processor. A load having a load temperature other than the predetermined medium temperature is received into the at least a portion of the chamber. The method includes determining that the load temperature is substantially at the predetermined medium temperature using the computer processor when the power output level reaches the determined steady state power output level and without any direct temperature measurement of the load.

Abstract: A temperature-control device for thermoanalytical analyses, including a housing, one heating element, one protective sheath disposed in the housing, wherein the protective sheath is connectable to a gas supply. The heating element is partially arranged inside the protective sheath.

Abstract: The differential adiabatic compensation calorimeter comprises sample and reference containers, sample and reference temperature sensors connected back-to-back, in series, sample and reference compensating heaters coupled to the sample and reference containers, and a temperature-controlled chamber. In this differential adiabatic mixing and reaction calorimeter, the sample heat-sink heat loss to the sample container is compensated so that the exothermic reaction is conducted in an adiabatic state, resulting in an undistorted adiabatic process gaining the highest adiabatic temperature rise that corresponds to the theoretical value and an experimentally measured time to maximum rate value. The calorimeter is designed for measuring the time-resolved adiabatic temperature rise, the rate of temperature rise, the time to maximum temperature peak and time to maximum rate of an exothermic chemical reaction.

Abstract: An interposer (support substrate) for an opto-electronic assembly is formed to include a thermally-isolated region where temperature-sensitive devices (such as, for example, laser diodes) may be positioned and operate independent of temperature fluctuations in other areas of the assembly. The thermal isolation is achieved by forming a boundary of dielectric material through the thickness of the interposer, the periphery of the dielectric defining the boundary between the thermally isolated region and the remainder of the assembly. A thermo-electric cooler can be used in conjunction with the temperature-sensitive device(s) to stabilize the operation of these devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and apparatus for an energetics-based approach to screen and to characterize binding interactions between potential therapeutic (or diagnostic) agents and unknown target molecules. The methods and apparatus detect the occurrence of these reactions, the strength of the binding interaction and possibly the rate at which these processes take place.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and apparatus for an energetics-based approach to screen and to characterize binding interactions between potential therapeutic (or diagnostic) agents and unknown target molecules. The methods and apparatus detect the occurrence of these reactions, the strength of the binding interaction and possibly the rate at which these processes take place.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and apparatus for an energetics-based approach to screen and to characterize binding interactions between potential therapeutic (or diagnostic) agents and unknown target molecules. The methods and apparatus detect the occurrence of these reactions, the strength of the binding interaction and possibly the rate at which these processes take place.

Abstract: A structure of calorimeter provides a calorimetric head (1) comprising a calorimetric cell (10) suitable for receiving a sample holding container (20) containing a sample (25) to examine. The cell (10) is arranged according to a first shield (3), or active shield. Outside the active shield (3) a second shield (4), or dynamical shield is present, which comprises a cylindrical hollow body arranged around the active shield (3) for all its length in order to provide a space (5) of determined size. Outside the active shield a thermal bath is present (not shown) at a temperature lower than the first and the second shield (3,4). The dynamic shield (4) allows an effective adjustment of the heat flux through the active shield (3) during calorimetric measures by limiting the heat flux same. In fact, in operative conditions the dynamic shield acts as thermal flywheel and keeps constant the heat flux coming from the active shield (3).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and apparatus for an energetics-based approach to screen and to characterize binding interactions between potential therapeutic (or diagnostic) agents and unknown target molecules. The methods and apparatus detect the occurrence of these reactions, the strength of the binding interaction and possibly the rate at which these processes take place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calorimeter comprising a reactor (1) that is fitted in an intermediate thermostat (2). Said intermediate thermostat (2) cooperates with an external thermostat (3) and comprises a metal block (4) as the heat transfer medium. The inventive calorimeter can be produced at lower costs than those comprising a double-walled reaction vessel and allows especially IR probe analysis.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-mirror system for an illumination system with wavelengths ?193 nm. The multi-mirror system includes (a) an imaging system having a first mirror and a second mirror, (b) an object plane, (c) an image plane in which the imaging system forms an image of an object, and (d) an arc-shaped field in the image plane, where a radial direction in a middle of the arc-shaped field defines a scanning direction. The first and second mirrors are arranged such that an edge sharpness of the arc-shaped field is smaller than 5 mm in the scanning direction. Rays traveling from the object plane to the image plane impinge a used area of the first and second mirrors with incidence angles relative to a surface normal of the mirrors ?30° or ?60°.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method of its use for evaluating various performance aspects of a test specimen is disclosed. A chamber within a housing contains a cold mass tank with a contact surface in contact with a first surface of a test specimen. The first surface of the test specimen is spaced from the second surface of the test specimen by a thickness. The second surface of the test specimen is maintained at a desired warm temperature. The first surface is maintained at a constant temperature by a liquid disposed within the cold mass tank. A boil-off flow rate of the gas is monitored and provided to a processor along with the temperature of the first and second surfaces of the test specimen. The processor calculates thermal insulation values of the test specimen including comparative values for heat flux and apparent thermal conductivity (k-value). The test specimen may be placed in any vacuum pressure level ranging from about 0.01 millitorr to 1,000,000 millitorr with different residual gases as desired.

Abstract: The system and method for testing thermal insulation uses a cryostatic insulation tester having a vacuum chamber and a cold mass including a test chamber and upper and lower guard chambers adjacent thereto. The thermal insulation is positioned within the vacuum chamber and adjacent the cold mass. Cryogenic liquid is supplied to the test chamber, upper guard and lower guard to create a first gas layer in an upper portion of the lower guard chamber and a second gas layer in an upper portion of the test chamber. Temperatures are sensed within the vacuum chamber to test the thermal insulation.

Abstract: A calorimeter for use in assaying radioactive sources. The calorimeter includes a constant temperature shield and a series of temperature matched shields in which temperature control is provided by electrical resistance, thereby eliminating the need for a water jacket, while providing improved temperature and heat flow control. A labyrinth plug which eliminates air exchange between the sample well and the outside is used to seal the calorimeter. A computer control system monitors the calorimeter to reduce errors introduced by system fluctuations.

Abstract: The sample temperature is roughly controlled according to a program temperature by a furnace temperature controller, and at the same time precisely controlled by a detector temperature controller. Also, if a temperature difference occurs, the supply powers to heaters separately provided close to the sample and reference are adjusted such that the temperature difference is returned to zero by a differential heat compensating circuit, outputting a difference in supply power as a differential heat flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring heat capacity of a sample where a series of measurements are taken in succession comprises a sample holder in which a sample to be measured is disposed, a temperature sensor and sample heater for providing a heat pulse thermally connected to the sample, and an adiabatic heat shield in which the sample holder is positioned and including an electrical heater. An electrical power supply device provides an electrical power output to the sample heater to generate a heat pulse. The electrical power from a power source to the heat shield heater is adjusted by a control device, if necessary, from one measurement to the next in response to a sample temperature-versus-time change determined before and after a previous heat pulse to provide a subsequent sample temperature-versus-time change that is substantially linear before and after the subsequent heat pulse.

Abstract: A calorimetric measuring apparatus is provided with a decomposition vessel whose interior is configured as a reaction chamber and which can be tightly sealed, the decomposition vessel being removably arranged inside a jacket, and having at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature reached inside the decomposition vessel. Characteristic of the measuring apparatus is that the jacket has a measuring vessel which accommodates the decomposition vessel; at least some areas of the wall zone of this measuring vessel comprise a heat-conductive material; the inner walls of this measuring vessel are spaced from the outer walls of the decomposition vessel, thereby forming an interspace in which a gaseous intermediate medium is provided; and the measuring apparatus has at least a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature change establishing itself in the heat-conductive wall zone of the measuring vessel.

Abstract: A direct convective air flow calorimeter characterized by fast response time, high efficiency, and transient, as well as steady state, heat measurement capability. The calorimeter generally measures sensible and insensible heat losses, and may measure indirect heat losses as well. The calorimeter can be scaled to accommodate animal as well as human subjects. The convective calorimeter includes an adiabatic chamber wherein circulatory air flow is provided about the inner periphery of the chamber while baffles are used to shield the subject from the circulatory air flow. The chamber is also provided with ventilating air flow. Finally, sensors are used for determining the heat addition to the circulatory air flow, which represents the sensible heat loss from the subject being tested, and for determining selected properties of the ventilating air flow.

Abstract: A calorimeter for measuring the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of chemical reactions, microbial fermentations, and other processes of industrial importance is described. The present invention also relates to a method of operation of this apparatus.

Abstract: A stable isothermal calorimeter wherein the material under study is contained in a thermally conductive reactor vessel which is surrounded by a heat transfer fluid. The material is maintained at the boiling point of the heat transfer fluid which is in turn cntrolled by controlling the pressure of the fluid's vapor space. The heat transfer fluid is vaporized by the heat released by exothermal reaction of the material under study and the vaporized fluid condensed in a condenser. The rate of liquid accumulation in the condenser is proportional to the energy release rate of the material.

Abstract: A calorimeter for measuring the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of chemical reactions, microbial fermentations, and other processes of industrial importance is described. The present invention also relates to a method of operation of this apparatus.

Abstract: Micro-scale chemical process simulation apparatus is disclosed which is useful for design of full-scale processes and associated equipment as well as emergency relief systems. A thin-walled vessel for receiving a quantity of the material to be evaluated is supportd within and thermally insulated from the walls of a surrounding containment unit. A guard heater is provided around the vessel and temperature thermocouples and pressure transducers are strategically located to monitor the temperature conditions existing in the material in the vessel as well as the pressure within the vessel and the containment unit respectively. Fluid may be selectively introduced into or exhausted from the containment unit to maintain a required pressure balance between the interior of the vessel and that of the containment unit.

Abstract: The accelerating rate calorimeter disclosed herein is an instrument designed for accurately determining the adiabatic thermal runaway characteristics of reactive chemicals. The mode of operation involves measuring the adiabatic self-heat rate of exothermic chemical reactions to determine the acceleration of the reaction rate as a function of temperature. The basic instrument includes a sample vessel which is positioned inside a reaction chamber. The environment surrounding the sample vessel is a gas, such as air, or an inert gas, or it can be a vacuum environment. Separate heater means are provided for heating the reaction chamber and the sample vessel.During the exothermic reaction of the chemical in the sample vessel, the temperature of the reaction chamber and the sample vessel are continuously monitored by separate temperature sensing means.