Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a photothermal immunoassay employing a thermometer or colorimetric detection method for sensitive quantitative readout based on the photothermal effect provided by a detection reagent.

An optical fiber-based gamma-ray calorimeter (OFBGC) sensor array which uses a thermal mass with a low thermal conductivity is provided. Advantages of the OFBGC sensor array include: 1) the number of sensors in the OFBGC sensor array is adjustable and limited only by the spatial resolution of the OFBGC sensors, within the OFBGC sensor array, and 2) the OFBGC sensor design is simpler to build than a conventional optical fiber-based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) sensor array. One purpose of the OFBGC is to determine the power distribution in nuclear reactors.

Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.

A differential scanning calorimetry sensor, comprises a substrate; a heater trace comprising a conductive material, on the substrate; an encapsulation layer, on the substrate and on the heater trace; and a sample heating area, which is on the heater trace. The heater trace has a thickness of 50 to 1000 nm, a width of 1 to 100 pm, and a path length of 5 to 500 mm. Also described are a sample holder, a sensor enclosure and a thermal analysis sensor system.

A battery material containment device comprises a lid; a housing case that is constructed and arranged to hold a battery material during a thermal analysis operation, the housing case including a threaded region for receiving and removably coupling with the lid to form a gas-tight seal and securing the battery material in the housing case; at least one vent for providing a gas flow path for the release of gasses generated by the battery material in the housing case during the thermal analysis operation; and a heat flow pathway between the battery material and a sensor that is maintained during the thermal analysis operation.

A system for the simultaneous thermal analysis of a plurality of single samples of, in particular biological, material by means of differential scanning calorimetry, with at least one sample carrier having several sample vessels, wherein a single sensor for measuring an amount of heat emitted or absorbed by the single sample during the thermal analysis is assigned to each sample vessel; a heating and/or cooling unit for the simultaneous temperature application of the single samples included in the sample vessels, with a receptacle for the at least one sample carrier; a measuring instrument, which is connected to the single sensors and which is formed to simultaneously capture a measuring value for the emitted or absorbed amount of heat of the single samples during the thermal analysis, a sample carrier, in particular for use in this system as well as a method for the simultaneous analysis of a plurality of single samples or groups of single samples by means of differential scanning calorimetry.