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The required equipment is an isothermal titration calorimeter. Simply put, this is a nano-calorimeter (directly and precisely measures the heat of reactions) while maintaining a constant temperature (i.e. “iso”) coupled together with titration equipment. The instrument is extremely sensitive, accurate, and precise: dynamic range +- 10 milliwatts, short term noise: < +- 10 nanowatts, baseline drift: < 20 nanowatts/24 hrs, accuracy: >1%, precision: +- 100 nanowatts. This unit is unique due to its

This particular ITC and model is required for conducting experiments to directly measure the heat of reactions. This requires the capacity to place solid or solution samples into an ampoule, located within a calorimeter, and titrate chemical solutions directly into the sample with a programmable and micro-titrator. This approach is the only method that allows for direct measure the heat of reactions. Prior to development of this technology with regard to sensitivity, one would have to conduct many isotherm sorption reactions at different temperatures in order to indirectly estimate thermodynamic properties. Use will permit direct thermodynamic measurements that will allow for the calculation of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. For example, previous studies by Penn and Warren (2009), Penn and Zhang (2010), Penn et al. (2010; 2014), and Lyngsie et al. (2014), all utilized titration calorimetry to develop a quick and easy method for differentiating between phosphorus mechanisms onto the surface of soil minerals, the degree of ion exchange between ammonium and potassium onto zeolites, and the kinetics of nutrient sorption.

In addition to the need for high sensitivity, quick response time, and titration functionality, there is a need to be able to conduct long term monitoring of microbial metabolic heat rate. To do this simultaneously while other titration experiments are occurring would normally require two different instruments. For this reason, two calorimeters are necessary for our applications into the single. One will be used for the titrations, the other for long-term monitoring. Must also have the flexibility to allow for two more additional calorimeters (total of four) to be added to the single instrument. As an example of long term heat monitoring, Penn used an ITC to monitor metabolic heat rate over two months from composting poultry manure in order to quantify the potential for managed poultry manure compost to supply heat to houses.