• Description: 

    This course is relevant for researchers form several disciplines within Engineering and Science; e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, manufacturing and mechanical engineering working with materials or substances in solid or liquid state. A theoretical background together with a practical approach on several experimental techniques used for characterizing substances is given. The course will deal with thermal analysis with focus on Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravimetry (TG) and dilatometry.

    Thermal analysis treats changes in materials behavior in response to temperature alteration or chemical and physical processes (reactions and relaxation). With the techniques introduced in this course the researcher will be able to get information on heat capacity, enthalpy and temperature of phase changes or chemical reaction and in many cases kinetics of chemical reaction.

    The course will start with chemical thermodynamics and the theoretical background for differential scanning calorimetry. Different techniques and apparatus for obtaining thermal properties will be presented; this will include power compensated DSC, heat flux DSC, DTA and modulated DSC. Topics will include: Calibration and sample preparation. Analysis of first order and second order transitions. Focus will be on polymeric materials and how to determine heat of transition, degree of crystallinity and glass transition temperature. Different techniques for determining specific heat capacity.

    Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of materials and their thermal properties.

    Learning objectives:

    • Knowledge on thermodynamics on phase transformations.
    • Competences in how to perform the measurement in order to retrieve the desired data.
    • Competences in analysis of the provided data in order to retrieve the quantitative data for phase transformation and also chemical reactions in some cases.

    Teaching methods: 
    Lectures and hand-on exercises with DSC, thermal gravimetry (TG) and Thermal Mechanical Analysis (TMA) both on prepared samples and samples from the students own work. The students will write a report on the performed exercises, data analysis and the obtained results.

    Criteria for assessment: The assessment will be based upon the written report. 

  • Organizer: R. Mikael Larsen (rml@m-tech.aau.dk) and Johnny Jacobsen (joj@m-tech.aau.dk)

  • Lecturers: Raino Mikael Larsen, Johnny Jacobsen and Els Verdonck (TA Instruments)

  • ECTS: 4

  • Time: 23-27 May, 2016

  • Place: Fibigerstræde 14, Room 59, AAU

  • Zip code: 9220

  • City: Aalborg

  • Number of seats: 16

  • Deadline: 2 May, 2016

  • Important information concerning PhD courses: 

    We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 5,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately three months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.