Crucibles for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

A crucible for a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system, comprising:

• a side wall defining a crucible opening;
• and
• a base enclosed by the side wall and opposite the crucible opening, the base and side wall forming an interior volume configured to hold a material for thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base includes a base shape configured to prevent a center of mass of the material within the crucible from shifting during thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base shape is or includes a convex shape to medialize the material within the interior volume, wherein the base shape has a convex side that forms part of the interior volume, wherein the base shape is completely conical within the side wall, wherein the base is hollow such that the base defines a support wall and an open bottom to reduce mass per unit volume of the crucible.

A crucible for a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system, comprising:

• a side wall defining a crucible opening;
• and
• a base enclosed by the side wall and opposite the crucible opening, the base and side wall forming an interior volume configured to hold a material for thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base includes a base shape configured to prevent a center of mass of the material within the crucible from shifting during thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base includes a holding feature extending from the base toward the crucible opening configured to resist lateral motion of the material within the crucible, wherein the holding feature includes a solid cylinder.

A crucible for a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system, comprising:

• a side wall defining a crucible opening;
• and
• a base enclosed by the side wall and opposite the crucible opening, the base and side wall forming an interior volume configured to hold a material for thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base includes a base shape configured to prevent a center of mass of the material within the crucible from shifting during thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the base includes a holding feature extending from the base toward the crucible opening configured to resist lateral motion of the material within the crucible, wherein the holding feature includes a hollow cylinder.

A crucible for thermogravimetric analysis including a shape configured to prevent walking of a material within the crucible during thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to prevent erroneous apparent mass loss readings, the shape defining a cylindrical interior volume, with a base shape that is or includes a convex shape centered relative to the interior volume to medialize the material within the interior volume, wherein the base shape has a convex side that forms part of the interior volume.

A method, comprising:

• using a crucible configured to prevent walking of a material within the crucible in a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system to reduce or eliminate erroneous apparent mass loss readings, wherein the crucible has a shape defining a cylindrical interior volume, with a base shape that is or includes a convex shape centered relative to the interior volume to medialize the material within the interior volume, wherein the base shape has a convex side that forms part of the interior volume.