Further Applications of Flow Microcalorimetry

The examples here provide a snapshot of the range of potential applications that flow microcalorimetry offers. 

Since calorimetric data are a measure of rate, it is possible to link heat output with the metabolic activity of human (and animal) cells. Both types of cell have been extensively studied by flow calorimetry one example is the study and optimization of Chinese hamster ovary cells producing recombinant interferon y- 

Flow calorimetry has also been used to investigate dosage forms. Dissolution of tablets under various simulated conditions has been explored, for example. Here, the tablet is presented with various solutions designed to mimic conditions in the gastro intestinal (GI) tract (pH 7 buffer) and stomach (pH 3 buffer for fasting and lipid solutions for fatty meals). The rate of dissolution can then be estimated for conditions in vivo. 

Gas-phase flow calorimetry has been used on a number of systems to investigate a variety of topics. Some examples are discussed below. 

The use of gas flow techniques are now widely recognized as important for the study of adsorption/desorption - phenomena at solid interfaces. Such studies are particularly important for the characterization of catalytically active sites on the surfaces of solids. One particular example is a study of the adsorption of ammonia onto activated carbon. It can be shown that adsorption of ammonia consists of reversible and irreversible steps and that these steps can be attributed to physisorp-tion for the former and adsorption on particular chemical groups for the latter. The heats of adsorption for various sites can be measured and the data can be used to reveal the existence of a wide distribution of acid sites that are accessible to ammonia to varying degrees. 

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