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Applications to cultural heritage using ATR-FTIR...

Recent advances in spectroscopy have opened up opportunities for characterisation of materials in artefacts from museums. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging allows minimal sample preparation and high spatial resolution, with two-dimensional mapping for chemical visualisation of multi-layered cultural objects.

Superabsorbent polymer for self-sealing cracks in concrete

Superabsorbent polymers can absorb a disproportionately large amount of liquid and swell substantially to form a soft and insoluble gel. These characteristics can be exploited for self-sealing of cracks in concrete to prevent ingress of groundwater and seawater.

Degradation and conservation of leather book covers

Analysis of collagen-based materials such as leather book covers is complex due to the heterogeneous composition of both organic and inorganic materials that show reactivity in specific environments. A non-destructive and high spatial-resolution approach enables the effects of degradation and conservation to be imaged.

Impact of cleaning treatments on polystyrene

Cleaning treatments for plastic artefacts may therefore increase their stability as well as improving their visual appearance. The microscopic effects of cleaning are investigated to inform future conservation treatments, showing the presence of surfactant residues and contamination from cleaning agents and physical damage in the form of scratching.

Historical temperature and relative humidity

The method presented can be utilised to replicate the internal environment for any unheated monument building so that the effects of past and future temperature and humidity cycles on cultural heritage can be examined.

Examination of urushi-based conservation options

Photodegradation combined with fluctuations in relative humidity cause the formation of microcracks in urushi (oriental lacquer) that lead to a reduction in gloss and eventual loss of the surface. Conservation treatments for enhancing the long-term preservation of aged lacquer using urushi are evaluated and compared.

Open access publications

The accepted version of many of these publications will be available via Spiral. This is the Imperial College London Institutional Repository used to archive text-based research outputs and make them open access.

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