A thermal analysis of samples and proposes a device for a thermal analysis of a sample, having: a sample chamber for receiving a sample crucible including a crucible cover attached thereto, in the interior of which a sample to be analyzed is located, wherein the sample chamber has a chamber opening for introducing the sample crucible into the sample chamber; a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the sample chamber; a measuring mechanism for measuring a temperature of the sample and one or several further measured variables; a gas conveying mechanism for creating a gas atmosphere in the sample chamber; a chamber cover, which can be attached to the chamber opening of the sample chamber; and a piercing mechanism equipped with a needle, which is suitable to pierce a hole into the crucible cover of the sample crucible by means of the needle when the sample crucible is received in the sample chamber and when the chamber cover is attached to the chamber opening. A corresponding method for a thermal analysis of a sample, a sample crucible including a crucible cover, as well as a covering/piercing unit are further proposed as part of the invention.

A method of automated sample preparation for thermal analysis includes picking up, with an automated gripping system of an autosampler, a pan located in a pan well of a sample tray; and performing an automated sample preparation procedure including at least one of: providing the pan to a balance module by the automated gripping system, wherein the balance module is configured to perform weight measurement on the pan; and providing the pan to a crimping module by the automated gripping system after a sample is loaded into the pan, wherein the crimping module is configured to seal the pan with an automated crimping process.

Provided herein is technology relating to calorimetry and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for making high-resolution thermodynamic measurements of reactions between gas phase reactants and nanomaterials. For example, the technology can provide thermodynamic measurements with a high heat flow resolution and long term stability at a wide range of temperatures and reaction pressures. The technology is used, for example, to study the thermodynamics of surface reactions and phase transformations in nanomaterials.

An analysis system and an analysis method, capable of setting a sample in an atmosphere where the residual water content is reduced, without using a glove box with high airtightness. An analysis system 100 according to this disclosure includes: a sample holding section 10 that holds a sample to be analyzed; an airtight section 20 that has an opening portion (lower opening 23a) to internally house the sample holding section 10 through the opening portion; and a surrounding section 30 having flexibility and visible light permeability that separates the sample holding section 10 and the opening portion of the airtight section 20 from the outside. The airtight section 20 can transition in state between a housing state where the airtight section 20 internally houses the sample holding section 10 and airtightly closes the opening portion with respect to the inside of the surrounding section 30 and a non-housing state where the sample holding section 10 is located outside the airtight section 20. When at least the airtight section 20 is in the non-housing state, a cooling section is arranged inside the surrounding section 30 but outside the airtight section 20.

A sensing unit for a differential scanning calorimeter includes a superposition of layers of a thermoelectric arrangement, a layer of an electrical heater arrangement and a layer of an absolute temperature measurement arrangement. The thermoelectric arrangements, the electrical heater arrangements and the absolute temperature measurement arrangements are symmetrically arranged on a sample-side and a reference-side of the sensor.

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.