Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique used to measure the heat flow associated with phase transitions in materials as a function of temperature. It helps identify properties such as melting points, crystallization temperatures, and glass transition temperatures. By comparing the heat flow of a sample to a reference material, DSC provides insights into the thermal behavior of substances. In a typical DSC experiment, a small amount of the sample is placed in a pan and heated or cooled at a controlled rate. The resulting data can be used to analyze the thermal stability and composition of materials, making it valuable in fields like materials science, pharmaceuticals, and polymer engineering.