Thermal Analysis B [antikvár]

Chapter One INTRODUCTION It has been approximately ten years since the initial surge in interest in bioanalytical calorimetry. Many studies have been undertaken to show that calorimetric techniques could be successfully used in the clinical laboratory, as well as for fundamental research. Considering the time and effort spent by many researchers, it was felt that it was appropriate to review the progress which had been made and to evaluate the potential for success in the coming years. With that in mind, each author was asked for a critical review of their chosen areas of discussion. This was to include the current state of the fi eld as well as somé indication as to what was expected in the future. Of particular interest were those evaluations which dealt with apnlications in the clinical laboratory. The term "calorimetric methods" includes a rather wide variety of techniques and instrumentation, all of which monitor the heat released (or absorbed) as a chemical or physical process takes place. It was the object of this work to bring the various calorimetric methods together in a volume focused on clinical analysis. This is the reverse of the common trend to focus on a specific tech-nique, and describe its various capabilities in all areas of analysis. Three major calorimetric techniques are considered here, and they seem to be the ones which may have the most impact on clinical analysis. Titration and injection calorimetry are closely related and considered as one method. The former are called thermometric or enthalpimetric titration methods while the latter is described as direct injection enthalpimetry or kinetic enthalpimetry. Basic considerations for these methods are found in chapter two. Second is the technique called differential scanning calorimetry. It is alsó closely related to differential thermal analysis and thermoqravimetry. A discussion of the technique is given in chapter three. Flow calorimetry, or flow microcalorimetry is discussed in chapter nine in conjunction with the studies on pharmaceutical compounds, where it has found a great deal of use. The reader will find that each of the latter chapters tends to focus on one calorimetric technique. This may be due to the author's interest in the technique, its over-whelming use compared to other techniques, or the judgement that that particular calorimetric method would be the most applicable in clinical analysis. Two rather new approaches to calorimetric, or thermometric, measurements are presented in chapters four and five. The first discusses an instrument called