Development of an advanced nanocalorimetry system for material characterization

Abstract

Abstract Calorimetric techniques, such as Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), are widely used to characterize energetic materials. The conventional DSC is a well-established tool but is limited to a macroscopic sample. A key drawback of conventional macroscale DSC technology is the large thermal inertia of the calorimetric cell and its associated hardware for smaller sample size. The conventional technology can impose severe limitations in cases where only minute sample quantities are available for testing (e.g. forensics, detection of trace explosives, process or product development). A microreactor based calorimeter is being developed to obtain accurate measurements with smaller sample sizes. Because these systems incorporate a very small thermal mass and use reagent quantities in the nanogram/nanoliter range, rapid and uniform heating and cooing can be achieved while maintaining a high level of temperature homogeneity. These miniaturized nanocalorimeters can offer enhanced sensing capabilities in an inexpensive portable format so that measurements can be made directly in the settings where they are needed. This paper discusses the design and fabrication of the nanocalorimeter device, as well as interface with a modular thermal control system. With the proposed advanced device, a calorimetric analysis can be performed in a few minutes utilizing a minute sample. Therefore, such a nanocalorimeter can be effectively employed for rapid screening of energetic materials at relatively low cost.