Laboratory of Thermochemistry (micro/nano DSC)

Laboratory of Thermochemistry (micro/nano DSC)

The micro/nano differential scanning calorimeter (Nano DSC) is a highly sensitive instrument for the analysis of low-energy thermal and phase transitions in materials. It is suitable for studying biomolecules, polymers and other samples in any form – liquids, gels, powders and solids. It enables the melting temperature, enthalpy, heat capacity and free energy to be determined with high accuracy.

Description of Activities

  • Determination of thermal and phase transitions in liquid (solution), gel, powder and solid samples.
  • Determination of heats (enthalpies) of states and processes (melting, crystallisation, polymorphic and aggregate-state phase transitions, chemical reactions, polymerisation, vulcanisation, cross-linking, etc.).
  • Determination of the thermodynamic parameters of proteins.
Man in a red T-shirt operating a HAAKE MARS rotational rheometer, holding the measuring geometry
Man in a red T-shirt working at a computer with analysis software beside a benchtop laboratory instrument

Description of the Service

Differential thermal analysis (thermal and phase transitions) of polymers, biomolecules and polymer materials

Agilent benchtop spectrophotometer with an attached CARY accessory on a wooden table
Woman in a white lab coat looking at a graph on screen beside a benchtop laboratory instrument

Equipment

The micro/nano differential scanning calorimeter (micro/nano DSC) is a highly sensitive calorimeter for the high-precision determination of thermal and phase transitions in samples and for the evaluation of materials characterised by low-energy phase transitions. The instrument operates in the range from –10°C to 130°C. It is equipped with an ultrasensitive calorimetric sensor and a capillary cell for the analysis of samples that are prone to aggregation or precipitation, as well as for testing biomolecules in solution. The advantage of the instrument is its ability to evaluate polymer samples in all forms – liquids (solutions), gels, powders and solids. The instrument is also equipped with a degassing and automatic self-cleaning station, which eliminates sample carry-over effects. The melting temperature, enthalpy and change in heat capacity can be determined in a single step, which allows the free energy to be calculated and the most stable state to be identified.

Empty laboratory with two fume hoods, white worktops and cabinets
Water purification system with a reservoir on a laboratory bench next to a sink in an empty laboratory
Woman holding a clear container and a vial beside a benchtop instrument with a rotating disc on a workbench
Orange and black benchtop instrument, control unit with display and a flask with tubing on a table
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Access to the Laboratory of Thermochemistry

The Laboratory of Thermochemistry is part of the research infrastructure of the National Centre of Excellence “Mechatronics and Clean Technologies” and is located on the Geo Milev campus. Requests for access and for joint research are therefore handled centrally — see Contact. In addition, a full overview of the Centre’s other laboratories is available on the Infrastructure and Laboratories page.

The thermochemistry equipment was set up under project BG16RFPR002-1.014-0006, funded by the Programme “Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation” 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.