Nanostructure Meets Calorimetry

Hecus X-Ray Systems, the leading specialized innovator in X-ray nanostructure analytics, sets a new milestone: it expands its programme by integrating small-and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) with microcalorimetry in a compact laboratory system.

By an exclusive collaboration with Setaram, France, widely acknowledged developer and supplier of high-sensitivity DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and isothermal microcalorimeters, Hecus now provides an analytical capability for the chemical and pharmaceutical laboratory,  that was up to now available only at large research installations such as synchrotron radiation sources.

The new S3-MICROcaliX combines proprietary technologies in X-ray optics, calorimetry and advanced data acquisition systems. The uniquely high X-ray brilliance of the Hecus S3-MICRO SWAXS system allows to perform temperature scanning experiments with rates up to 120°/h, a dynamic calorimeter range of ± 190 mW and a sensitivity of 0.02 µW.

Nanostructural and calorimetric effects, phase transitions, reactions in solid powders, pastes and liquid samples can now be investigated simultaneously in one single experiment.

The advantage is not just an economical, but also a qualitative one: uncertainties and errors that previously could originate from different experimental sample environment, history etc, are eliminated. The compactness, electronic system integration and ease of operation of S3-MICROcaliX are designed to fulfil all practical requirements of R&D, quality control, and process analytical technology (PAT).

About Other Hecus Innovations:
In addition to the wide range of system configurations in X-ray optics, sample environments and detectors already offered, Hecus XRS now also provides an environmental cell under pressures of up to 10 MPa (100 bar) for absolute-scale SWAXS studies on gas or vapour sorption effects in porous materials.