SYDDARTA

SYstem for Digitization and Diagnosis in ART Applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Cultural heritage monitoring comprehends a sum of technologies, protocols and studies which need to be modernized and automated to reduce costs and process time. Current spectroscopy permits the study and characterisation of the surface of artworks by the inspection of specific spectral bands, by means of different techniques. As a consequence, the sets of results are often difficult or slow to link, compare or process in order to generate global information about the piece-in-study. In this way, a set of analysis processes must be performed over the artwork, involving piece moving, manipulation, transportation, etc, and therefore putting the artwork at risk of deterioration. The main target of SYDDARTA is to develop a pre-industrial prototype for diagnosing the deterioration on movable assets by the acquisition of 3D-hyperspectral imaging through scanning non-destructive techniques. Such images contain spectroscopic information of the piece to be analysed in different bands of the spectrum, giving chemical composition information of the different materials and layers in the actual 3D surface by means of a very narrow screening bandwidth and the use of volumetric digitisation. These analyses are carried out combining mapping, spectroscopic and image processing techniques, based on tunable filters and customised light sources. The expected prototype will be a new portable type of equipment to use in the preventive conservation and monitoring of movable cultural assets and will provide enormous data sets by non-destructive characterisation techniques. Moreover, the equipment will make use a specific database of materials and pigments monitoring that will be exploited as well. The merging of the technologies involved will be suitable for fast authentication and traceability of cultural assets and will improve the monitoring and conservation of artworks in general, as well as facilitating art digitisation sharing between the cultural organisations across Europe. In addition, the expected project results will not be specific to the art and heritage cultural sector, and may be applied to other fields of research, engineering or industry, for example, for biomedicine, manufacturing, food industry, chemistry or recycling. This means a wider market impact and a greater societal benefit inside and out the European Union.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Europe's rich cultural heritage forms an important part of its identity, and cultural heritage monitoring helps to preserve it. New portable technology for automated spectrographic and surface assessment advances the state of the art.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The value of Europe's cultural heritage legacy is appreciated by millions beyond European borders. It serves as an inspiration for art books, text books, and pilgrimages from within and beyond the continent's borders. Cultural heritage monitoring exploits advanced instrumentation, technologies and protocols to determine the effects of time and environment on the integrity of works of art with molecular precision.

Currently, different spectral bands are being investigated using different techniques. This requires manipulation, transportation and, generally, movement of the art, increasing the risk of damage or deterioration. The novel combined 3D and hyperspectral imaging system developed with EU funding of the project 'System for digitization and diagnosis in art applications' (http://www.syddarta.eu/ (SYDDARTA)) will eliminate the need for handling while providing superior information.

Hyperspectral imaging combines spectroscopy and digital imaging. A hyperspectral camera produces an image in which each pixel simultaneously contains spectral information covering more than one band (of frequencies or wavelengths) of the electromagnetic spectrum. SYDDARTA combined 3D scanning techniques for volumetric digitisation with hyperspectral imaging in visible and near-infrared regions. A very narrow screening bandwidth was employed to enhance precision and accuracy.

The prototype consists of two optical channels for combined 3D digitisation and hyperspectral imaging data capture. The system implements advanced optical technology, including digital light projectors, acousto-optic tuneable filters, liquid crystal tuneable filters, and high-end focal plane array sensors working in the visible and short-wave infrared.

Data is processed to produce 3D point clouds and hypercubes directly related to the object's surface and chemical composition. The hyperspectral data are used for automatic classification to identify and quantify substances mixtures, deterioration and degradation as defined by the user.

Researchers successfully tested the SYDDARTA system on a collection of Baroque paintings. The system will increase the speed and accuracy of analysis while reducing the costs and likelihood of damage to the object under investigation. The technology is expected to have important impact on conservation and authentication of arts and heritage. Numerous other markets including agro-food monitoring, pharmaceutical development and quality control in manufacturing are foreseen as well.