Thermal analysis using a micromechanical calorimeter

A fast and extremely sensitive method for reversible thermal analysis of picoliter volumes of solid samples is presented. Using a micromechanical calorimeter based on the deflection of a bimetallic cantilever, enthalpy changes at phase transitions in n-alkanes (paraffins) are determined. The key role of volume changes associated with phase transitions is discussed together with a method to separate thermal and volume-induced stresses associated with these phase transitions. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.