We are pleased to announce a new, online edition of the NICAS colloquium on Thursday 28 October 2021 from 12.00 to 13.00 hrs. The colloquium will take place online through Microsoft Teams.
Throughout the year, NICAS organises a bi-weekly Colloquium consisting of two short research lectures. It provides researchers with the opportunity to present ideas for, updates on or results of their activities. The NICAS Colloquium allows people to stay informed on a regular basis about the latest developments and results of research and to exchange information and expertise.
The chair of this colloquium will be Jorien Duivenvoorden (Rijksmuseum)
The presenters are:
► Michaël Maria – Three-dimensional spectral measurements of paint samples using optical coherence tomography
Abstract:
In this study, we describe a method for measuring the spectral reflectance of a paint layer at both the surface and in the volume of the paint layers. We first present a fringes model which illustrates the possibilities for spectral reconstruction using a Short-Time-Fourier-Transform algorithm. We investigate the remaining percentage errors and identified that there is a strong fluctuation along the wavelength range of the spectrometer. Then, we demonstrate the validity of our approach experimentally by measuring the spectral reflectance of a paint layer using a custom-made visible light optical coherence tomography system. There, we reconstruct the spectral reflectance of a paint layer by probing the surface and a depth range below the surface. Finally, we show the importance to include a wavelength sensitive correction in the reconstruction for taking into account the spectral shape of the light in the reference path of the interferometer. This work is part of the Down To The Ground project, in which the results of the OCT inspection will be used directly by a consortium of technical art historians and conservators.
Bio:
Michael Maria is currently conducting research in the field of Optical Instrumentation at the Delft University of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher. He studied Optics and Photonics sciences at University of Rennes I (MSc) and Optical Instrumentation for Biomedical Sciences (PhD) at University of Kent and at the Danish company NKT Photonics A/S. During his studies, Michael completed numerous internships, both in industrial and academic context, in different countries. Within Down To The Ground project, he will be responsible for the development of the imaging instrument and he will also contribute to the field experiments.
► Anna Laganà – In search of a perfect bond: an evaluation of potential adhesives to repair transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) objects
Abstract:
This paper presents the results of an international collaborative study on the bonding of transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) used in art and design.
Identifying suitable adhesives to repair transparent PMMA objects is one of the biggest challenges in conserving plastic artifacts due to the difficulty of finding adhesives able to recover transparency and strength without being harmful to the plastic.
Currently, only few adhesives are found to meet these requirements. Therefore, this study had two major aims: first, to increase the adhesive options available and second, to provide conservators with the data and tools required to select an appropriate adhesive for each specific bonding case. To achieve these objectives, the suitability of a wide range of adhesives was explored by investigating their relevant properties and performance. Finally, results were summarized in an adhesive comparison chart designed to offer conservators a tool to select appropriate adhesives based on the bonding requirement of the broken PMMA objects to be repaired.
Bio:
Anna Laganà is Senior Research Specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) within the Modern and Contemporary Art Initiative, where she leads projects including investigation of treatment strategies for plastics in collections, and develops workshops for their conservation.
Before joining the GCI, Anna worked within several institutions in varied roles, including as Coordinator of the Contemporary Art Conservation Laboratory at the CCR in Turin, as a conservator/researcher of modern materials at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, and as a lecturer at the UVA. Anna is currently the Coordinator for the ICOM-CC Modern Materials and Contemporary Art Working Group.