Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is located in room 2423 Calit2 Building (building 325 on UCI campus map)

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a  thermoanalytical technique in which the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference is measured as a function of temperature. Both the sample and reference are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the experiment. 

The Netzsch 214 Polyma DSCis equipped with the low-mass Arena furnace, the Corona sensor, an automatic sample changer (ASC) and an intracooler. The Arena is the fastest furnace available for a heat-flux DSC. The Polyma can measure samples between -40°C and 550°C, with heating rates up to 500 K/min and cooling rates as high as 200 K/min over a wide measurement range. This allows for the measurement of isothermal crystallization or isothermal curing for kinetic studies where it is necessary to reach equilibrium conditions as quickly as possible. The Corona sensor combined with Concavus pans provide a ring-shaped contact zone that is clearly defined and results in excellent reproducibility. The ASC provides high sample throughput. Measurement of up to 20 samples, belonging either to a single series or independent of each other, can be carried out without operator intervention. The NETZSCH Proteus software offers far more than ordinary measurement and analysis software for DSC instruments. Its many support features greatly assist operators in their day-to-day work.

Netzsch 214 Polyma DSC can be used to identify and characterize:

• Melting temperatures and enthalpies (heats of fusion)
• Crystallization temperatures and enthalpies
• Glass transition temperatures
• Oxidative-induction time (OIT) and oxidative-onset temperature (OOT)
• Degree of crystallinity
• Reaction temperatures and enthalpies
• Cross-linking reactions (curing)
• Degree of curing
• Specific heat capacity
• Distribution of crystal molecular weight (qualitative, via peak shape)

More info about this instrument can be found at the websites and youtube.