Fast stopped-flow microcalorimeter.

A fast stopped-flow microcalorimeter using a thermistor and an a.c. bridge is described. Time resolution, limited by the response of the thermistor, is 3 ms for t 1/2 while sensitivity is 100 mu degree C in this bandpass. A reaction requires 0.3 ml of each reactant. The microcalorimeter is adiabatic to within 2% for 2 s and mixing may be repeated every 5 min. Computer finite element simulation techniques (FEST) are used to correct for the thermistor response time and heat losses. Results of tests with reactions of NaOH and HCl, NaHCO3, and HCl, and glyclyglycine and CO2 agree with published kinetic and thermodynamic values to within an experimental error of less than 2%.