TA Instruments Nano ITC 5300, Getting Started Manual

Page: 9 / 46

Nano ITC Getting Started Guide Page 9
Chapter: 1
Introducing the Nano ITC
Overview
There are three ways in which a calorimeter may be designed. Heat measurements may be based on the
following:
• A temperature rise measured in a system of known heat capacity, (
Δ
T)
• The measured change in power (typically resistance heating) required to maintain a system at a
constant temperature (power compensation), and
• A direct measure of the heat flowing between the system and large heat sink maintained at a constant
temperature (heat flow)
Each method (
Δ
T, power compensation, and heat flow) has its advantages and disadvantages. The TA
Instruments Nano Isothermal Titration Calorimeter (ITC) uses a differential power compensation design
for maximum sensitivity and responsiveness.
The Nano ITC is available in three configurations: the Standard Volume model with 1-mL measurement
cells made of either 24K gold or Hastelloy
®
alloy, and the Low Volume model with 190-µL gold cells.
Standard Volume ITCs shipped before September 2009 were labeled “Nano ITC
2G
”. The Nano ITC
incorporates second generation technology featuring enhanced baseline stability and increased sensitivity.
Instrument Models Covered in this Guide
This guide covers Nano ITC instrument models 5300, 5301, and 5302.