Thermal activity monitoring microcalorimetry: from fundamental thermodynamic principles towards a wide array of practical applications

Thermal activity monitoring (TAM) microcalorimetry is the
single most sensitive calorimetric measurement technique,
capable of measuring heat effects over time scales of days
to months due to its high baseline stability. Because of this
it is uniquely suited to study processes that slow down
significantly at temperatures that are relevant for
applications, and which therefore cannot be studied with
more common calorimetric techniques such as DSC. The
addition of perfusion accessories greatly extends the
possibilities of the device by allowing a controlled gas flow,
with controlled humidity, during measuring. Because this
technique is relatively unknown in the field of materials
science, there is great potential and interest for its
application by many partners within the VUB, KUL, UGent,
and industry who work in diverse fields, where the direct
measurement of thermodynamic quantities is highly
valuable, but has for the most part never been attempted.
Proposed scientific opportunities include the study of slow
reaction kinetics such as curing reactions or self-healing of
materials at room temperature, slow permeation of water
through coatings, the setting of non-traditional cements,
the direct measurements of metabolic processes, and
adsorption-desorption processes.