Specifications include, but are not limited to: The DSC should be of the Heat Flux design whereby the sample and reference are measured in the same furnace on separate stages. The baseline flatness (-50 to 300°C) must be <5 µW. The baseline repeatability (-50 to 300°C) must be <10 µW. This should be done without baseline subtractions or post-test de-smearing, deconvolution, or other manipulation. Temperature accuracy must be within ±0.025°C. Temperature precision must be within ±0.005°C. The heat flow digital resolution must be at least 0.001 µW. The indium response ratio must be >100 (height to width ratio of an indium melting peak). This should be achieved without post-test de-smearing, deconvolution, or other manipulation. The following must be directly measured and incorporated: o Measured heat flow o Thermal resistance imbalance o Thermal capacitance imbalance o Heating rate imbalance The instrument must also be capable of incorporating a sample-pan contact resistance measurement, which improves signal resolution. The DSC must be capable of measuring heat capacity directly, from one experimental run. The instrument should cover a temperature range of -90 to 550°C using a refrigerated cooling system that eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen. The DSC must include at least a 54 position autosampler that is capable of loading and unloading both sample and reference pans. Data files must contain measured sensor temperature, not calculated temperature. This allows the user to know what the actual temperature of the sample is during different heating rate experiments and measure accurate and precise transition temperatures. The DSC cell should include integrated, temperature-controlled electronics for stable signal processing. The DSC should employ area temperature detectors directly beneath the sample and reference positions, not platinum resistance thermometers or thermopiles. The instrument must be able to perform Modulated DSC experiments. The DSC cell should be easily interchangeable and replaceable for user maintenance. The instrument must be equipped with fully integrated, user-friendly instrument operating and analysis software for dynamic, real-time data acquisition. System must include a service plan for user assisted repairs that has the option to be renewed annually. Final price should include applications support for troubleshooting, method development, and data interpretation via online or phone assistance. DSC must come with certified standard reference materials (indium, sapphires, etc.) for internal verifications.