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Title: Micron-Scale Differential Scanning Calorimeter on a Chip

Patent ·
OSTI ID:827540

A differential scanning microcalorimeter produced on a silicon chip enables microscopic scanning calorimetry measurements of small samples and thin films. The chip may be fabricated using standard CMOS processes. The microcalorimeter includes a reference zone and a sample zone. The reference and sample zones may be at opposite ends of a suspended platform or may reside on separate platforms. An integrated polysilicon heater provides heat to each zone. A thermopile consisting of a succession of thermocouple junctions generates a voltage representing the temperature difference between the reference and sample zones. Temperature differences between the zones provide information about the chemical reactions and phase transitions that occur in a sample placed in the sample zone.

Research Organization:
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
Assignee:
DOEEMSP
Patent Number(s):
6,079,873
Application Number:
R&D Project: EMSP 65421; 09/107,064; 107064; TRN: US200426%%27
OSTI ID:
827540
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 30 Jun 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

Thin film microcalorimeter for heat capacity measurements from 1.5 to 800 K journal April 1994