Dr. Jana Falkenhagen

BAM, Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing

Senior scientist Dep. Material Chemistry/Structure Analysis

Dr. Jana Falkenhagen studied chemistry and received her Dr. rer. nat. from the Technical University of Berlin. She joined BAM, the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing, in 2000. She was heavily involved in the development of two-dimensional chromatography of polymers and its introduction to industry. Her main field of research is the development of hyphenated coupling techniques for the characterization of complex polymers and copolymers. This includes the combination of almost any conceivable liquid chromatographic separation technique with e.g. MALDI-MS, ESI-MS and FTIR. Biodegradable and bio-based polymeric materials such as Lignin have become the focus of her current work.

70 years size exclusion chromatography - an ongoing challange

The reason for our current activities is that polymers may also be subject to REACh regulations in the future. In this context, the determination of oligomer content is important. SEC is still the method of choice for determining molar mass distribution. The regulations aim for narrow limits and SEC has rather large error margins, which are well known to all experts. Different polymers need different methods. What to do when samples with a wide range of practical aspects, samples with higher distribution range, reduced solubility, including side components, gel content etc. need be analyzed? A concept for round robin tests and first impressions will be presented.

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BAM sets global standards for safety. Safety creates markets.

The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a senior scientific and technical Federal institute with responsibility to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It tests, researches and advises to protect people, the environment and material goods. Safety creates markets. BAM sets and represents high standards for safety in technology and chemistry for Germany and for its global markets, to further develop the successful "Made in Germany" culture of quality. BAM fulfils this role through its dedicated employees.