Micro-DSC Instrumentation

DSCs designed for the measurement of extremely small amounts of samples must be sensitive and designed to accnrately and precisely control the temperature of the sample. Sensitivity is a byproduct of sample size, S/N, and baseline stability. Today s calorimeters incorporate new control capabilities that produce baseline stability that previously has not been available. This control also makes the instrument less susceptible to external environmental influences, and with the pressure control capabilities built into the newer models, the instruments are now appropriate for the study of volumetric properties (pressure perturbation) of biopolymers. 

The MicroCal VP-Capillary DSC system from GE Healthcare Life Sciences (hereafter referred to as GE) uses a nonreactive material called Tantalum 61 for its matched capillary cells, which have an active cell volume of 130 pL. It has a fully automated autosampler that permits unattended 

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