Lab Manager | Run Your Lab Like a Business

Product News

Linkam Highlights Optical DSC450 at AAPS 2019 Pharmsci 360

Market leader in temperature controlled microscopy, Linkam Scientific Instruments, will be showcasing its optical differential scanning calorimeter for the simultaneous measurement visualization of thermal transition experiments for improved materials characterization

by Linkam Scientific Instruments
Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
5:00

The Optical DSC450 enables the user to measure melting behavior and glass transitions of a wide range of substances whilst providing simultaneous image capture with the optional LINK Digital Imaging module. The image data provides information of color or morphological changes that can be correlated with temperature and phase transitions. Combining image and thermal analysis data can provide additional insights into the properties of the materials. The temperature of the DSC450 can be accurately controlled from -150 °C (with the optional LNP96) to +450 °C and the atmosphere of the stage can also be gas purged. 

Linkam's Optical DSC450 optical differential scanning calorimeter.Linkam's Optical DSC450 optical differential scanning calorimeter. Credit: Linkam Scientific InstrumentsTASC (thermal analysis by surface characterization) is a new image analysis technique which enables localized structural changes in samples to be tracked and quantified optically, with temperature. It has the unique ability to measure local transition temperatures allowing different points on a sample to be identified.

Combining the DSC450 with imaging and TASC provides a unique solution for the characterization of the thermal properties of materials. 

Get training in Biosafety and Biosecurity and earn CEUs.One of over 25 IACET-accredited courses in the Academy.
Biosafety and Biosecurity Course

Peter Grocutt, R&D director, commented: “Nearly all DSCs are large benchtop devices and are not primarily suited to microscope imaging. In addition, if cooling is required to lower temperatures (-150°C), large Dewars and complex cooling systems are required. The DSC450’s compact size lends itself to performing fast experiments and can be set up for cooling or heating in minutes. For cooling, it uses a small pump unit and a 3-liter Dewar, which once filled, can be used to cool the DSC450 immediately at the pre-set rate.

“The thermal analysis sample characterization software can reveal transitions that are difficult or impossible to measure easily by DSC alone, as smaller samples do not result in reduced sensitivity.”

The Optical DSC450 has recently been used to study phase transitions in pharmaceuticals, where the power of the complementary technique is particularly evident. The combination of optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry delivers increased sensitivity for detecting subtle characteristics such as solid-solid transitions.

Combining the DSC450 with spectroscopic techniques such as Raman and FTIR provides an ideal solution for the study of molecular changes such as Polymorphism.

To learn more about Linkam and its approach to the development of temperature stages for sample characterization, please visit www.linkam.co.uk or, if you are attending AAPS, come to booth 1054 to talk to one of our specialists.