Pressure perturbation calorimetry instruments and methods

The invention relates to calorimeters, e.g., microcalorimeters, and calorimetry methods. A method of determining a thermal coefficient of expansion of a substance, the method including providing a first liquid holder containing a solution including the substance, and a second liquid holder containing a liquid in which the substance is not present; applying a pressure perturbation to the solution in the first liquid holder and to the liquid in the second liquid holder at a known temperature; determining a differential heat effect between the first and second liquid holders in response to the pressure perturbation; calculating, from the differential heat effect, the heat effect of the substance in response to the pressure perturbation; and determining, from the calculated heat effect, the thermal coefficient of expansion of the substance at the known temperature.