Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most important thermal analysis technique used today and the most common thermal analysis instrument found in chemical characterization laboratories. DSC has become an everyday tool in characterization laboratories, but many researchers using this technique have a limited understanding of the true breadth of its capabilities. Up to now, there has been no book that would describe the application of DSC in all the various areas of materials chemistry. The Handbook of Differential Scanning Calorimetry has been written to fill that void. This book is designed to summarize the knowledge of differential scanning calorimetry so that materials researchers and application chemists are given both a better understanding of techniques , as well as a review of the full scope of its capabilities. It also discusses how to properly interpret the DSC thermograms data obtained. Included in this work is the most up-to-date information written by some of the leaders in the field. It is written not only to help users get the most out of their equipment, After reading this book, people in all chemical and biological areas will have a broad overview of this measuring technique, and will be able to utilize this analytical technique more efficiently.

The broad field of conformational motion disorder in crystals is described with particular attention to the separation from the well known mesophases of liquid crystals and plastic crystals. Structure, thermodynamics and motion of a larger number of small and large molecules are discussed. Of special interest are the borderlines between smectic and high viscosity liquid crystals and condis crystals and between plastic crystals and condis crystals as complicated by pseudorotation, jumping between symmetry-related states and hindered rotation. This paper illustrates the wide distribution of conformational disorder in nature. Condis crystals and glasses ("Con"formational "Dis"order) can be found in small and large molecule systems made of organic, inorganic and biological compounds. The condis state was newly discovered only four years ago. In this article over 100 examples are discussed as example of the condis state. In many cases the condis state was suggested for the first time. Motion in the Condensed State, Condis Crystals and their Relation to Plastic Crystals, Condis Crystals of Flexible Macromolecules, Condis Crystals and their Relation to Liquid Crystals, Condis Crystals of Stiff Macromolecules.