a differential scanning calorimeter apparatus includes reference and sample cells and controlled temperature shields . the temperature of the shields is controlled such that baseline curvature is reduced by eliminating heat flow from the furnaces to their surroundings and by controlling heat flow through a well defined solid state heat resistance between the furnaces and a temperature controlled heat sink . the temperature of each shield can be controlled independently to reduce differential heat flow over the whole temperature range of the scan , or maintained at a constant temperature for conventional power compensated dsc operation . the temperature / time profile for each shield can be controlled according to actual furnace temperature , obtained from an empty run , or stored in the computer memory and recalled for sample measurements .