TY - JOUR A1 - Merchel, S. A1 - Bremser, Wolfram A1 - Akhmadaliev, S. A1 - Arnold, M. A1 - Aumaître, G. A1 - Bourlès, D.L. A1 - Braucher, R. A1 - Caffee, M. A1 - Christl, M. A1 - Fifield, L.K. A1 - Finkel, R.C. A1 - Freeman, S.P.H.T. A1 - Ruiz-Gómez, A. A1 - Kubik, P.W. A1 - Martschini, M. A1 - Rood, D.H. A1 - Tims, S.G. A1 - Wallner, A. A1 - Wilcken, K. M. A1 - Xu, S. T1 - Quality assurance in accelerator mass spectrometry: results from an international round-robin exercise for 10Be N2 - The first international round-robin exercise for the measurement of the long-lived radionuclide 10Be has been conducted. Ten participating accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facilities have each measured three samples at the 10-12 to 10-14 10Be/9Be level. All results have been made traceable to the NIST SRM 4325 standard to avoid additional discrepancies that arise when different facilities use different calibration materials. Hence, the data concentrates on pure measurement distinctions. Multivariate statistical investigations have been performed to reveal a bias between facilities, i.e. two distinguished groups could be identified. Maximum discrepancies between two single facilities are in the range of 6–31% depending on the absolute 10Be/9Be value. These findings should be considered when comparing 10Be data produced at one AMS facility with that produced at another facility, which is e.g. often the case for in situ 10Be dating studies. Round-robin exercises are a very helpful tool as part of an overall quality assurance scheme to improve the accuracy, and not only the precision, of AMS data. KW - Accelerator mass spectrometry KW - Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) KW - Cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) KW - Cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating KW - Calibration PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2012.07.038 SN - 0168-583X SN - 1872-9584 VL - 289 SP - 68 EP - 73 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-26772 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Merchel, S. A1 - Bremser, Wolfram A1 - Alfimov, V. A1 - Arnold, M. A1 - Aumaître, G. A1 - Benedetti, L. A1 - Bourlès, D.L. A1 - Caffee, M. A1 - Fifield, L.K. A1 - Finkel, R.C. A1 - Freeman, S.P.H.T. A1 - Martschini, M. A1 - Matsushi, Y. A1 - Rood, D.H. A1 - Sasa, K. A1 - Steier, P. A1 - Takahashi, T. A1 - Tamari, M. A1 - Tims, S.G. A1 - Tosaki, Y. A1 - Wilken, K. M. A1 - Xu, S. T1 - Ultra-trace analysis of 36Cl by accelerator mass spectrometry: an interlaboratory study N2 - A first international 36Cl interlaboratory comparison has been initiated. Evaluation of the final results of the eight participating accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratories on three synthetic AgCl samples with 36Cl/Cl ratios at the 10-11, 10-12, and 10-13 level shows no difference in the sense of simple statistical significance. However, more detailed statistical analyses demonstrate certain interlaboratory bias and underestimation of uncertainties by some laboratories. Following subsequent remeasurement and reanalysis of the data from some AMS facilities, the round-robin data indicate that 36Cl/Cl data from two individual AMS laboratories can differ by up to 17%. Thus, the demand for further work on harmonising the 36Cl-system on a worldwide scale and enlarging the improvement of measurements is obvious. KW - Accelerator mass spectrometry KW - Long-lived radionuclides KW - Cosmogenic nuclides KW - Exposure dating PY - 2011 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-4979-2 SN - 1618-2642 SN - 1618-2650 VL - 400 IS - 9 SP - 3125 EP - 3132 PB - Springer CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-23676 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmitt, R. A1 - Koerfer, F. A1 - Sadowny, O. A1 - Zimmermann, J. A1 - Krüger-Sehm, R. A1 - Xu, M. A1 - Dziomba, T. A1 - Koenders, L. A1 - Goch, G. A1 - Tausendfreund, A. A1 - Patzelt, S. A1 - Simon, S. A1 - Rockstroh, L. A1 - Bellon, Carsten A1 - Staude, Andreas A1 - Woias, P. A1 - Goldschmidtböing, F. A1 - Rabold, M. T1 - Virtuelle Messgeräte - Definition und Stand der Entwicklung N2 - Die Mikro- und Nanotechnologie gehört zu den Schlüsseltechnologien des 21. Jahrhunderts mit hohen Wachstumsprognosen, wie auch die im Auftrag des BMBF durchgeführte Studie “Nanotechnologie als wirtschaftlicher Wachstumsmarkt” von 2004 ausführlich darstellt. Aus diesem Trend resultiert ein steigender Bedarf an Messsystemen, die Nanostrukturen prozessnah bzw. im Fertigungsprozess charakterisieren können. Virtuelle Messgeräte liefern Erkenntnisse zur Entwicklung neuartiger Messsysteme, Analyse und Optimierung bestehender Verfahren sowie die Bestimmung der Messunsicherheit und modellbasierten Korrektur systematischer Fehler. Der virtuelle Messprozess umfasst neben dem Messmittel auch die Probe und die Wechselwirkungen zwischen beiden. In diesem Beitrag werden virtuelle Messgeräte vorgestellt sowie deren Anwendung diskutiert. N2 - Micro- and nanotechnology experienced a high economic growth in recent years. This yields in a growing demand for measuring instruments which are closely linked to the production process. Virtual measuring instruments provide knowledge for the development of new systems, the analysis and optimization of established devices as well as the determination of the uncertainty in measurement. The virtual measuring process consists of the measuring instrument, the sample, and the interaction between both. In this article examples of current developments of virtual instruments are presented and their way of utilization is discussed. KW - Virtuelle Messtechnik KW - Simulation KW - Messunsicherheit KW - Virtual metrology KW - Measurement uncertainty PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1524/teme.2008.0872 SN - 0340-837X SN - 0178-2312 SN - 0171-8096 VL - 75 IS - 5 SP - 298 EP - 310 PB - Oldenbourg CY - München AN - OPUS4-17569 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Xu, R. A1 - Teich, W. A1 - Frenzel, Florian A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Radke, J. A1 - Rösler, J. A1 - Faust, K. A1 - Blank, A. A1 - Brandenburg, S. A1 - Misch, M. A1 - Vajkoczy, P. A1 - Onken, J. S. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Optical characterization of sodium fluorescein in vitro and ex vivo N2 - Objective: The utilization of fluorescein-guided biopsies and resection has been recently discussed as a suitable strategy to improve and expedite operative techniques for the resection of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. However, little is known about the optical properties of sodium fluorescein (NaFl) in human tumor tissue and their potential impact on ex vivo analyses involving fluorescence-based methods. Methods: Tumor tissue was obtained from a study cohort of an observational study on the utilization of fluorescein-guided biopsy and resection (n=5). The optical properties of fluorescein-stained tissue were compared to the optical features of the dye in vitro and in control samples consisting of tumor tissue of high-grade glioma patients (n=3) without intravenous (i.v.) application of NaFl. The dye-exposed tumor tissues were used for optical measurements to confirm the detectability of NaFl emission ex vivo. The tissue samples were fixed in 4%PFA, immersed in 30% sucrose, embedded in Tissue-Tek OCT compound, and cut to 10 mm cryosections. Spatially resolved emission spectra from tumor samples were recorded on representative slides with a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope FV1000 (Olympus GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) upon excitation with lexc = 488 nm. Results: Optical measurements of fluorescein in 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) under in vitro conditions showed an absorption maximum of lmax abs = 479 nm as detected with spectrophotometer Specord 200 and an emission peak at lmax em = 538 nm recorded with the emCCD detection system of a custom-made microscope-based single particle setup using a 500 nm long-pass filter. Further measurements revealed pH- and concentration-dependent emission spectra of NaFl. Under ex vivo conditions, confocal laser scanning microscopy of fluorescein tumor samples revealed a slight bathochromic shift and a broadening of the emission band. Conclusion: Tumor uptake of NaFl leads to changes in the optical properties – a bathochromic shift and broadening of the emission band – possibly caused by the dye’s high pH sensitivity and concentration-dependent reabsorption acting as an innerfilter of the dye’s emission, particularly in the short wavelength region of the Emission spectrum where absorption and fluorescence overlap. Understanding the ex vivo optical properties of fluorescein is crucial for testing and validating its further applicability as an optical probe for intravital microscopy, immunofluorescence localization studies, and flow cytometry analysis. KW - Fluorescence KW - Optical probe KW - Sensor KW - Fluorescein KW - PH KW - Imaging KW - Tissue KW - Cancer KW - Medical diagnostics KW - Tumor KW - In vivo KW - Ex vivo KW - Quantum yield KW - Dye KW - Quality assurance KW - Microscopy PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-527843 DO - https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.654300 SN - 2234-943X VL - 11 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Frontiers Media CY - Lausanne AN - OPUS4-52784 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maslyk, M. A1 - Bach, S. A1 - Li, W. A1 - Shylin, S. A1 - Panthöfer, M. A1 - Barton, B. A1 - Ksenofontov, V. A1 - Xu, K. A1 - Kolb, U. A1 - Schmedt auf der Günne, J. A1 - Tremel, W. A1 - Meermann, Björn T1 - Understanding the Stability and Recrystallization Behavior of Amorphous Zinc Phosphate N2 - Zinc phosphate, an important pigment in phosphate conversion coatings, forms protective films on rubbing surfaces. We have simulated the underlying reactions under shear by ball-milling zinc phosphate and monitored the reaction of hopeite (Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O) and the retarded recrystallization of the amorphous reaction product by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and quantitative infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Abrasion of stainless steel was simulated by addition of pure 57Fe. The results provide insight into the chemistry of phosphate conversion coatings or during battery cycling of metal phosphates and give theoretical guidance for the preparation of amorphous phosphates. Thermal analysis revealed that the release of structural water is a key step during the reaction of hopeite under shear to ball-milled amorphous zinc phosphate. The back-reaction and associated recrystallization kinetics of amorphous zinc phosphate show a classical Langmuir behavior. Fe impurities inhibit the recrystallization of ball-milled amorphous zinc phosphate strongly. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and PXRD revealed that Fe is oxidized to Fe2+ and Fe3+ during ball-milling and incorporated locally at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the structure. Ball-milled amorphous zinc phosphate is metastable as γ-Zn3−xFex(PO4)2. EPR studies showed the incorporation of Fe3+ to be coupled with the formation of Zn2+ vacancies. The Fe3+ defect sites bind water because of their higher Pearson hardness (compared to Fe2+ and Zn2+), thereby reducing water mobility and inhibiting further reactions like the recrystallization to hopeite. Our findings reveal the amorphization mechanism of Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O in stainless steel ball mills at the atomic scale and highlight how the reactivity of amorphous products is affected by impurities associated with the processing method. KW - Amorphous Zinc phosphate PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c09044 VL - 125 IS - 4 SP - 2636 EP - 2647 AN - OPUS4-52078 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, X. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Lu, J. A1 - Tang, F. A1 - Dong, K. A1 - Yu, Z. A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Osenberg, M. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Wilde, F. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Zhao, J. A1 - Xu, G. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Sun, F. A1 - Cui, G. T1 - Unveiling the Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Failure Mechanism of Sodium Metal Anodes in Sodium–Oxygen Batteries by Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Tomography N2 - Rechargeable sodium–oxygen batteries (NaOBs) are receiving extensive research interests because of their advantages such as ultrahigh energy density and cost efficiency. However, the severe failure of Na metal anodes has impeded the commercial development of NaOBs. Herein, combining in situ synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) and other complementary characterizations, a novel electro-chemo-mechanical failure mechanism of sodium metal anode in NaOBs is elucidated. It is visually showcased that the Na metal anodes involve a three-stage decay evolution of a porous Na reactive interphase layer (NRIL): from the initially dot-shaped voids evolved into the spindle-shaped voids and the eventually-developed ruptured cracks. The initiation of this three-stage evolution begins with chemical-resting and is exacerbated by further electrochemical cycling. From corrosion science and fracture mechanics, theoretical simulations suggest that the evolution of porous NRIL is driven by the concentrated stress at crack tips. The findings illustrate the importance of preventing electro-chemo-mechanical degradation of Na anodes in practically rechargeable NaOBs. KW - Synchrotron radiation KW - X-ray imaging KW - NaO-battery PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202402253 SN - 1616-301X SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-59820 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Aliyah, K. A1 - Prehal, C. A1 - Diercks, J. S. A1 - Diklić, N. A1 - Xu, L. A1 - Ünsal, S. A1 - Appel, C. A1 - Pauw, Brian Richard A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Guizar-Sicairos, M. A1 - Herranz, J. A1 - Gubler, L. A1 - Büchi, F. N. A1 - Eller, J. T1 - Quantification of PEFC Catalyst Layer Saturation via In Silico, Ex Situ, and In Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering N2 - The complex nature of liquid water saturation of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) catalyst layers (CLs) greatly affects the device performance. To investigate this problem, we present a method to quantify the presence of liquid water in a PEFC CL using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This method leverages the differences in electron densities between the solid catalyst matrix and the liquid water filled pores of the CL under both dry and wet conditions. This approach is validated using ex situ wetting experiments, which aid the study of the transient saturation of a CL in a flow cell configuration in situ. The azimuthally integrated scattering data are fitted using 3D morphology models of the CL under dry conditions. Different wetting scenarios are realized in silico, and the corresponding SAXS data are numerically simulated by a direct 3D Fourier transformation. The simulated SAXS profiles of the different wetting scenarios are used to interpret the measured SAXS data which allows the derivation of the most probable wetting mechanism within a flow cell electrode. KW - Polymer electrolyte fuel cell KW - Water management KW - Catalyst layer KW - Representative morphology modeling KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - MOUSE KW - SAXS PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-575973 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c00420 SN - 1944-8244 VL - 15 IS - 22 SP - 26538 EP - 26553 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-57597 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Winzer, Nicholas A1 - Xu, Ping A1 - Bender, S. A1 - Gross, Thomas A1 - Unger, Wolfgang A1 - Cross, Carl Edward T1 - Stress corrosion cracking of gas-tungsten arc welds in continuous-cast AZ31 Mg alloy sheet N2 - AZ31 Mg alloy sheet was welded using a gas-tungsten arc (GTA) process over inserts containing 2.3-9.3 wt.% Al. The welded specimens were susceptible to SCC in distilled water, with susceptibility increasing with decreasing weld metal Al (or β particle) concentration. Primary stress corrosion cracks initiated at the weld metal-HAZ interface by stress-assisted localised dissolution and propagated through the weld and base metals by transgranular and intergranular H-assisted fracture (TG-HAF and IG-HAF) respectively. The IG fracture mode may be intrinsic to the texture imparted upon the base metal by rolling. The increase in SCC susceptibility with decreasing weld metal Al concentration is contrary to the purported roles of β particles in promoting localised corrosion and as crack nucleation sites, but corresponds with increases in weld - base metal galvanic current density and weld metal localised corrosion susceptibility. KW - C. Stress corrosion KW - C. Hydrogen embrittlement KW - A. Magnesium KW - C. Welding PY - 2009 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2009.05.037 SN - 0010-938X VL - 51 IS - 9 SP - 1950 EP - 1963 PB - Elsevier CY - Orlando, Fla. AN - OPUS4-20049 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Xu, Ping A1 - Winzer, N. A1 - Bender, S. A1 - Cross, C.E. ED - Kainer, K.U. T1 - Investigation of corrosion-fatigue behavior of AZ31 wrought magnesium weldments T2 - Magnesium - 8th International conference on magnesium alloys and their applications CY - Weimar, Germany DA - 2009-10-26 KW - Corrosion-fatigue KW - Magnesium KW - Welds PY - 2009 SN - 978-3-527-32732-4 SP - 858 EP - 865 PB - Wiley-VCH AN - OPUS4-20589 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Blankenhagel, Paul A1 - Wehrstedt, Klaus-Dieter A1 - Xu, S. A1 - Mishra, K. B. A1 - Steinbach, J. T1 - A new model for organic peroxide fireballs N2 - Organic peroxides are capable to form fireballs with explosive violence. Only fireball models for liquid hydrocarbon fuels are available for the assessment of the thermal radiation properties. Because the development of such fireballs usually differ from those of organic peroxides the properties need to be characterized by modified equations. In this study liquid organic peroxide fireballs from 16 kg to 155 kg substance masses are characterized and compared to selected existing correlations. Flame characteristics and irradiances are measured with infrared cameras and heat flux sensors. All fireballs are consequences of simulated worst case scenarios where filled steel drums are engulfed by fire with varying heat impact. The differences of the given semi-empirical equations and the presented experimental work are explained. A new model is proposed for organic peroxide fireballs by modifying the constants of the known equations. The thermal radiation impact and safety distances are calculated and compared. KW - Organic peroxide KW - Fireball KW - Thermal radiation KW - Safety distances PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2017.10.002 SN - 0950-4230 VL - 50 IS - Part A SP - 237 EP - 242 PB - Elsevier Science AN - OPUS4-43069 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Adwani, D. A1 - Pipintakos, G. A1 - Mirwald, J. A1 - Wang, Y. A1 - Hajj, R. A1 - Guo, M. A1 - Liang, M. A1 - Jing, R. A1 - Varveri, A. A1 - Zhang, Y. A1 - Pei, K. A1 - Xu, X. A1 - Leng, Z. A1 - Li, D. A1 - Villamil, W. A1 - Caro, S. A1 - Chailleux, E. A1 - Cantot, J. A1 - Weigel, Sandra A1 - Škulteckė, J. A1 - Tarsi, G. A1 - Margaritis, A. A1 - Wang, H. A1 - Hu, Y. A1 - Airey, G. A1 - Sreeram, A. A1 - Bhasin, A. T1 - Examining the efficacy of promising antioxidants to mitigate asphalt binder oxidation: Insights from a worldwide interlaboratory investigation N2 - Oxidative aging induces significant stiffening of asphalt binders that leads to a pronounced reduction in the overall durability of asphalt pavements. The strategic implementation of antioxidant additives provides a potential solution to alleviate this issue. This work presents results from the second phase of the global consortium for antioxidants research aimed at investigating the effectiveness of potential antioxidants in increasing the durability of asphalt binders. Sixteen laboratories around the world participated in this effort and a total of 28 binders from diverse geographical regions were tested. Two promising antioxidants, namely zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDC) and kraft lignin were evaluated in this phase and blended with the binders at specific proportions. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to assess rheological characteristics and chemical properties of the various blends, utilising Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) measurements and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The findings indicate that additives such as ZDC hold considerable promise as an effective antioxidant, particularly when considering a wide diversity of binders. In general, its incorporation does not compromise the rutting performance of the binders and significantly improves fatigue performance. Therefore, research efforts should be focused on exploring additional facets to assess its practical applicability in field. KW - Asphalt oxidation KW - Binder aging KW - Antioxidant additives KW - Binder rheology KW - Binder chemistry KW - Bitumen und bitumenhaltige Bindemittel KW - FTIR-Spektroskopie KW - Anwendungsmöglichkeiten KW - Vergleichsuntersuchung KW - Arbeitsanleitung KW - Präzision PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2024.2332363 SN - 1477-268X VL - 25 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London AN - OPUS4-59957 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Xu, R. A1 - Hicke, Konstantin A1 - Chruscicki, Sebastian A1 - Marx, S. ED - Curbach, M. ED - Marx, S. ED - Scheerer, S. ED - Hampel, T. T1 - Akustisches SpRK-Monitoring mit SEA und verteilten faseroptischen Sensoren N2 - Im vorliegenden Bericht wurde untersucht, Spanndrahtbrüche in einem Brückenträger sowohl mittels Schallemissionsanalyse (SEA) als auch mit (eingebetteter) verteilter faseroptischer akustischer Sensorik (DAS) zu erkennen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Bruchsignale anhand beider Messverfahren detektiert werden können. Die jeweils detektierten Drahtbrüche werden miteinander verglichen. Durch eine Gegenüberstellung werden SEA und DAS detailliert dargestellt. T2 - 12. Symposium "Experimentelle Untersuchungen von Baukonstruktionen" (SEUB) CY - Dresden, Germany DA - 01.06.2023 KW - Verteilte faseroptische akustische Sensorik KW - DAS KW - Brückenmonitoring KW - Spanndrahtbruchdetektion KW - Schallemissionsanalyse KW - SEA PY - 2023 SN - 978-3-86780-740-1 SN - 1613-6934 VL - 67 SP - 136 EP - 147 PB - Technische Universität Dresden - Fakultät Bauingenieurwesen CY - Dresden AN - OPUS4-57581 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Xu, C. A1 - Battig, Alexander A1 - Schartel, Bernhard A1 - Siegel, R. A1 - Senker, J. A1 - von der Forst, I. A1 - Unverzagt, C. A1 - Agarwal, S. A1 - Möglich, A. A1 - Greiner, A. T1 - Investigation of the Thermal Stability of Proteinase K for the Melt Processing of Poly(L‑lactide) N2 - The enzymatic degradation of aliphatic polyesters offers unique opportunities for various use cases in materials science. Although evidently desirable, the implementation of enzymes in technical applications of polyesters is generally challenging due to the thermal lability of enzymes. To prospectively overcome this intrinsic limitation, we here explored the thermal stability of proteinase K at conditions applicable for polymer melt processing, given that this hydrolytic enzyme is well established for its ability to degrade poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). Using assorted spectroscopic methods and enzymatic assays, we investigated the effects of high temperatures on the structure and specific activity of proteinase K. Whereas in solution, irreversible unfolding occurred at temperatures above 75−80 °C, in the dry, bulk state, proteinase K withstood prolonged incubation at elevated temperatures. Unexpectedly little activity loss occurred during incubation at up to 130 °C, and intermediate levels of catalytic activity were preserved at up to 150 °C. The resistance of bulk proteinase K to thermal treatment was slightly enhanced by absorption into polyacrylamide (PAM) particles. Under these conditions, after 5 min at a temperature of 200 °C, which is required for the melt processing of PLLA, proteinase K was not completely denatured but retained around 2% enzymatic activity. Our findings reveal that the thermal processing of proteinase K in the dry state is principally feasible, but equally, they also identify needs and prospects for improvement. The experimental pipeline we establish for proteinase K analysis stands to benefit efforts directed to this end. More broadly, our work sheds light on enzymatically degradable polymers and the thermal processing of enzymes, which are of increasing economical and societal relevance. KW - Enzymatic degradation KW - Poly(L‑lactide) KW - Polyesters KW - biodegradation PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01008 SN - 1525-7797 SN - 1526-4602 VL - 23 IS - 11 SP - 4841 EP - 4850 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-56292 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -