VP-ITC MicroCalorimeter User’s Manual
3.6 Carrying Out Experimental Runs
Starting the Run
After the run parameters are entered, the experiment is started by clicking on the Start button at
the top of the VPViewer window (as show below).
If a data file name has been specified which would result in overwriting an existing data file, the
user will be asked if he/she wants to overwrite the existing file.
Changing Run Parameters During an Experiment
To change run parameters, open the ITC window, make changes, then select the Update Run
Parameters button. If there is confusion about what was or was not changed the Display Run
Parameters button will show the current run parameters. The software will not allow you to
change parameters that would adversely affect the experiment.
Completion of the Run
The run may be terminated at any time by selecting the Stop button. If the run is not prematurely
terminated the software will complete all the injections, then thermostat at the post run thermostat
temperature.
Cleaning After the Run
The VP-ITC sample cell need not be cleaned with detergent solution after each experiment, since
rinsing with water or buffer from a syringe is often adequate. However, after every 3-5
experiments (or at the end of each day’s experiments) solids that cannot be removed by rinsing
will adhere to the cell interior and these can cause baseline problems if not removed periodically
by a thorough cleaning with a detergent solution.
Once the run has completed the sample should be immediately removed from the cell and
inspected. If the sample is cloudy, or contains aggregates, then cleaning may require a more
aggressive methodology. If aggregates are found the cells should be manually rinsed with a
cleaning solution prior to the normal cleaning to facilitate removal of contamination too large for
the cleaning device to wash away. The instrument should be cleaned thoroughly. It is advisable
to record the condition of the sample after the experiment has concluded. This may provide
information on particularly difficult samples to clean.
The importance of maintaining cleanliness cannot be stressed enough, please refer to Section 3.7
Using the ThermoVac for Cleaning the ITC Sample Cell, Section 3.8 Cleaning Syringes. and
Section 5.1 Cleaning The Cells and Pipette for more information
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