TAM IV

Nanocalorimeter

The Nanocalorimeter is the most sensitive calorimeter for the TAM IV, and is typically used in the isothermal mode. It combines high sensitivity with excellent baseline stability which makes it ideal for isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in studying molecular interactions. The nanocalorimeter holds all closed ampoules up to 4 ml. For highest sensitivity it is used with the 1 ml titration ampoule and a similar ampoule as reference. This reference ampoule contains an inert substance, (e.g. water or sand) in order to balance the heat capacity of the two sides. Thus, under normal conditions the heat flow associated with the reference ampoule will be negligible.

Microcalorimeter

The 20 ml Microcalorimeter is a heat flow calorimeter of twin type. It has been designed to hold large samples, (e.g. batteries) and for experiments requiring a large gas phase above the sample. The microcalorimeter can be used with all 20 ml static ampoules and the 20 ml micro reaction system including titration facilities and control of the relative humidity during measurement.

The 20ml Microcalorimeter is also the only calorimeter that can be used with the micro solution ampoule. This ampoule is designed for dissolution of very small amounts of solids (a few mg) in different solvents and is ideal for dissolution of slowly soluble substances. The heat of dissolution and the kinetics of dissolution can be studied.

Minicalorimeter

The Minicalorimeter is a 4 mL or 20mL calorimeter with a special design to reduce the space occupied by the calorimeter inside the thermostat. The reference is positioned below the sample ampoule which up to 48 4 mL Minicalorimeters can be positioned in the TAM IV-48 thermostat. The Minicalorimeter is also used in the Multicalorimeter where six 4 mL minicalorimeters and three 20 mL calorimeters are assembled together and each assembly occupies one position in the TAM IV thermostat. It has been designed for increased sample throughput.

Multicalorimeter

The TAM Multicalorimeter contains six 4 mL Minicalorimeters or three 20 mL Minicalorimeters. They are intended for use with the TAM IV thermostat to increase the sample throughput. The TAM IV thermostat can hold up to 24 individual 4 mL calorimeters and twelve 20 mL calorimeters, as well as other types of calorimeters such as a Nanocalorimeter or a Precision Solution Calorimeter. These combinations offer the highest flexibility by combining high sensitivity with high sample throughput. It can be used for all applications designed for individual Minicalorimeters.

Macrocalorimeter

The Macrocalorimeter is a large volume calorimeter designed for accurate heat flow measurements of samples requiring volumes up to 125 mL. The Macrocalorimeter is of minicalorimeter design with sample above reference, but with a user-changeable reference for optimal performance. The Macrocalorimeter is suitable for battery testing but also for large and heterogeneous sample within food technology and ecological sciences.

Precision Solution Calorimetry
Solution Calorimetry refers to the determination of the heat of dissolution when a solid is dissolved in a liquid, or two liquids are mixed. The TAM Precision Solution Calorimeter is a single position, semi-adiabatic calorimeter for high precision measurements of the heat generated or consumed when a solid or liquid sample is dissolved or diluted into a solvent. The instrument is designed for highest accuracy and precision and is used in general thermodynamic investigations as well as for quantitative analytical measurements of various solid state phases. It is available with a 25 ml or 100 ml vessel, and is intended for use with the TAM IV thermostat up to 80 °C.

Precision Titration Calorimeter
The Precision Titration Calorimeter is a single position, semi-adiabatic calorimeter intended for use with the TAM IV Thermostat. It provides high precision measurements of the heat generated or consumed when a solid or liquid sample is dissolved or diluted into a solvent. Utilizing the same configuration as the Precision Solution Calorimeter but with additional functionality, it is possible to inject small quantities of a solute into the stirred solution in order to investigate binding or complexation phenomena. Repeated injections can be performed by use of a syringe pump.

The Precision Titration Calorimeter is designed for highest accuracy and precision and is used in general thermodynamic investigations as well as for quantitative analytical measurements of various solid state phases.

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) is a powerful analytical technique for characterizing a wide range of molecular interactions as well as enzyme and chemical kinetics. The ITC reaction systems can be used for injecting one sample into another, such as creating a bioassay for the study of cell metabolism when a drug is injected into a living cell culture. The removable ampoule design of the TAM ITC system provides maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide variety of ITC applications.

The TAM Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (TAM-ITC) system consists of a nanocalorimeter, 1 ml removable titration ampoule with stirring facilities, and a precision syringe pump for efficient titrant delivery. The TA Instruments nanocalorimeter is the most sensitive calorimeter available for the TAM IV, and can detect microjoule level heat flow. In dynamically corrected mode, the response time of the calorimeter is optimized.

Micro XL Calorimeter

The TAM IV Micro XL is a large-cell, precision calorimeter that was specifically designed to aid researchers in measuring the electrochemical reactions occurring inside of battery cells. Characterizing these reactions is critical to developing a safer battery with longer shelf life and higher energy density. The TAM IV Micro XL compliments the existing range of calorimeters for the TAM IV thermostat, and in combination with other calorimeters will aid development of advanced battery technologies.

Closed Ampoules

Disposable Crimp Seal Glass Ampoules

Disposable ampoules are the most convenient to use since they can be thrown away after use and no cleaning is required. The crimp seal ampoule is perfect for experiments at lower temperature ranges. They are available in 3, 4 and 20 ml sizes.

Stainless Steel Ampoules

Available in regular stainless steel or hastelloy, these ampoules are used for samples that either react with glass, are to be investigated at high temperatures, or where it is suspected that a gas will be evolved during the experiment which increases the pressure in the ampoule. Ampoule lids are screw top and are available in 4 and 20 ml sizes.

Heat Sealed Ampoules

The heat seal ampoules are sealed by melting the glass at the top of the ampoule. These are recommended when rubber caps would be affected by gases or liquid involved in a reaction. The reactants are completely surrounded by glass. They are available for a maximum sample volume of 5 ml.

Titration Ampoule

The removable ampoules offer a level of practicality unmatched in the industry. TAM-ITC ampoules are easily removed, can be visually inspected and cleaned outside of the instrument. The open vessels of TAM-ITC ampoules also allows solid suspensions, solid matrixes with attached living cells, macromolecules, etc. to be loaded into the reaction vessel. This allows ligand binding to the solid system to be measured. There is no possibility for this kind of matrix experiments to be run on fixed-cell instruments.

In TAM-ITC different sizes of syringes ranging from 100 to 2.5 mL are available. The injection volume/flow is controlled by a high precision syringe pump. Each pump can support two syringes. In addition, two pumps can be attached to one titration ampoule which is useful for studying enzyme kinetics.

Perfusion Ampoule

The perfusion ampoule is the simplest micro reaction system available, and is typically used with the Nanocalorimeter. A liquid or gas is perfused through the ampoule and out through an exit tube. Gases are perfused using a mass flow controller that is controlled by TAM Assistant™s software. Liquids are perfused using a peristaltic pump. The perfusion ampoule can be used to measure either the heat production rate from a flowing gas/liquid or the effect of the gas/liquid on a sample placed in the perfusion ampoule. The perfusion ampoule is available in 1, 4 and 20 ml versions.

RH Perfusion Ampoule

The RH perfusion ampoule perfuses a gas of defined relative humidity over a sample and out through an exit tube. The relative humidity is controlled using two mass flow controllers, one of which passes gas directly to the sample and the other passes gas through two humidifying chambers prior to the sample. TAM Assistant™ software controls both the relative humidity and the total flow rate over the sample. The software is also used to change the humidity in a linear ramp or stepwise. The RH perfusion ampoule is available in 1, 4 and 20 ml versions. It is possible to use solvents other than water in the humidifying chambers which allows a gas of varying vapor pressure of a solvent to be passed over a sample.

Vacuum/Pressure Ampoule

These stainless steel ampoules are designed to hold vacuum or pressure up to 10 bar. The pressure in the ampoule can be monitored at the same time heat flow is measured. This is ideal for the study of samples generating gaseous products during a reaction. The ampoule is available in 4 and 20 ml sizes.

ISOTHERMAL CALORIMETRY

The most common experimental mode for microcalorimetry is the isothermal mode, where the sample is held at a constant temperature while the heat produced or consumed by the sample is measured. Both short- and long-term measurements (hours to weeks) can be performed with exceptional stability and reliability. The example shows how the reaction rate increases with increased temperature.

SCANNING CALORIMETRY

The sample is ramped slowly up and/or down in temperature while the heat produced or consumed by the sample is measured. Experiments performed under extremely slow (maximum 2 °C/h)  and well controlled scanning conditions provides greater resolution of phase transitions compared to conventional DSC instruments. The slow scan rate allows large samples to be analyzed close to thermal, physical and chemical equilibrium

The example show a slow scanning experiment resolving four endothermic transitions of n-hexatriacontane

ISOTHERMAL TITRATION CALORIMETRY

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) is a powerful analytical technique for characterizing a wide range of molecular interactions as well as enzyme and chemical kinetics. The example shows a ligand that is injected repeatedly into a target molecule. From the heat injection binding affinity, stoichiometry and enthalpy of interaction can be determined.

SOLUTION CALORIMETRY

Solution calorimetry is a powerful technique for characterizing heat transfer between molecules and understanding dissolution phenomena. The most common measurement is semi-adiabatic, where the temperature increase or decrease in a solution is measured during a solid or liquid dissolution process.