Indigenous heat flux differential scanning calorimeter (HF-DSC)

As part of the programme to develop low-cost instruments for use in educational institutions, we have developed a heat-flux differential scanning calorimeter (HF-DSC). We have used low cost components for building the parts of the calorimeter and they were fabricated by the local industries. The paper describes the design and construction of the calorimeter and measurement electronics in detail. The calorimeter was calibrated for temperature and enthalpy measurements using high purity metal standards. The results indicate that the on-set temperatures of thermal events can be measured with an accuracy of ± 0.7 °C and the enthalpy values within ± 3%. The sensitivity of the instrument is about 4 to 5 times lower than that obtained in a typical commercial DSC unit.