Measurements such as thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity and eigenheat are essential for understanding the thermal behavior of materials and developing more efficient, durable and safe systems in various applications. These measurements provide fundamental information for proper material selection and design and are especially critical in areas such as electronic devices, energy systems, automotive, aerospace and defense. This information is used to improve energy efficiency, optimize thermal management systems, provide safety against rapid temperature changes and model thermal performance. This enables the development of innovative solutions that deliver both performance and cost benefits.
The main objective of the Thermophysical Properties Laboratory is to provide traceable measurements of the properties defined by the BIPM Thermophysical Properties Working group. The laboratory currently performs measurements in the fields of thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity, eigenheat, thermal diffusivity, thermal expansion, calorimetric measurements, heat flow, emissivity and hyperspectral measurements, etc.
The existing laboratory infrastructure is specifically designed for low-level thermal conductivity measurements of thermal insulation materials. The infrastructure is being developed to measure higher (>2 W/m*K) thermal conductivity values. A horizontal configuration dilatometer is used for thermal expansion measurements of solid state materials.

Another objective of the laboratory is the characterization of IR calibrators used in the calibration of pyrometers, radiation thermometers and thermal cameras, including emissivity and temperature distribution of the radiation field. In addition, metrological characterization of thermal imagers is performed according to the latest standards.
Another objective of the laboratory is to develop an infrastructure to perform thermophysical, thermodynamic and thermal endurance measurements of thin-film coatings. Tests (in atmospheric and vacuum environments) are carried out for the resistance (laser-induced damage threshold value) of components and their optical coatings to radiation intensity and high-power laser intensities in space conditions, especially in optical systems used in harsh environments such as space exploration. In addition, optical absorption values of advanced functional optical coatings are measured with a precision of <1 ppm. Since the values of optical components (LUHE) directly affect the performance and durability of systems in scientific and industrial applications, it is important to determine them accurately and reliably.
Currently, the laboratory is a member of the BIPM working group on Thermophysical Properties and of the technical committees of EURAMET and COOMET.
Traceable calibrations:
Activities for the measurement of thermophysical properties of solid state materials:
Training and counseling:
| System | Capacity |
|---|---|
| 2 thermal conductivity measurement systems with enclosed hot layer method |
0.0015 W/m.K to 0.35 W/m.K thermal conductivity range between 25 °C and 80 °C Thermal conductivity range from 0.004 W/(m-K) to 0.5 W/(m.K) in the temperature range from 60 °C to 250 °C |
| Thermal conductivity measurement system using heat flow method | Thermal conductivity range from 0.004 W/(m-K) to 2.0 W/(m.K) in the temperature range -20 °C to 90 °C |
| Thermal expansion measurement system | -180 °C to 2800 °C temperature range |
| Differential scanning calorimetric measurement system | -180 °C to 700 °C temperature range |
|
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) based emissivity measurement system (installation in progress) | 8000 cm-1 to 350 cm-1 spectral range |
| 5.5 nm average resolution hyperspectral imaging system | 400 nm to 1000 nm range |
| InGaAs detector-based NIR hyperspectral imaging system | 0.9 to 1.7μm detection band range |
| Large diameter low temperature blackbody source (ɛ>0.98) Differential blackbody source | -40 °C to 150 °C temperature range |
| Large diameter blackbody source (ɛ=0.98 ± 0.02) | 50 °C to 600 °C temperature range |
| InGaAs detector-based thermal imaging system | 0.9 μm to 1.7 μm detection band range 400 °C to 1200 °C temperature range |
| Reference thermal camera for calibration system of thermal cameras | 3 μm to 5 μm detection band range 7.5 μm to 14 μm detection band range |
| Laser-excited damage threshold measurement system (atmosphere and vacuum environment) | 266 nm, 355 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths |
* Services in our laboratory are provided under ambient conditions of 21 °C ± 3.0 °C temperature and (45 ± 15) % rh humidity values.
Connection: UME TDML
Connection: https://metrino.eu/
Connection: https://www.lidtlab.com/latso
Connection: https://mfmet.eu/
Laser Damage Threshold Measurement Test System Development Project (2018-2024)
Development of Optical Thin Film Absorption Measurement Test System Project (2018-2023)
Development of photonics-based thermometers as an intermediate link to build infrastructure for quantum temperature measurements.
Establishment of a system for calibrating Thermal Cameras according to ISO standards and development of thermographic image analysis algorithms.
Email: ume@tubitak.gov.tr
Phone: 0 (262) 679 5000