After journeying through the complex and exciting world of materials and colloid science applied ... more After journeying through the complex and exciting world of materials and colloid science applied to conservation, the reader will be aware that both research and applicative work in this field are far from being concluded. Indeed, despite the wide range of different applications and case studies described within these pages, conservation science is still a growing field, and the potential of nanosciences can be further developed to address a variety of issues concerning the preservation of classic cultural heritage. Every case study shows peculiar difficulties, and the definition of unique protocols for the cleaning, consolidation and pH control of artistic objects is a demanding task, whose completion should meet the needs of end-users who constantly turn to scientists in order to obtain affordable and long-lasting solutions. For instance, collagen-based substrates such as parchment and leather may exhibit severe degradation (such as the infamous leather ''red rot'') and, being extremely sensitive to several solvents and restoration materials, pose a serious challenge to both scientists and conservators. In addition, a new threat to cultural heritage preservation is represented by the conservation and restoration of the latest Modern (1940s–1970s) and Contemporary works of art. Most of these objects exhibit complex compositions and are affected by degradation processes that can greatly differ
Uploads
Papers by laith malkawi