IMAT

INTELLIGENT MOBILE MULTIPURPOSE ACCURATE THERMOELECTRICAL (IMAT) DEVICE FOR ART CONSERVATION

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The IMAT project aims to integrate the cutting edge research in nanotechnology with that of cultural heritage conservation for the development of new advanced conservation techniques and materials. A consortium of researchers representing expertise in the areas of art conservation, nanotechnology, and thermo-electrical engineering, has been assembled with the purpose of inventing an advanced precision heating technology and designing a series of portable, highly accurate flexible mild heating devices specifically for broad application in the field of art conservation, employing, but not limited to the new technology of carbon nanotubes (CNT). The new technology and product acknowledges and responds to a glaring omission in fundamental conservation instrumentation. The control over the application of heat often constitutes the core of success in structural treatment of diverse cultural heritage objects, yet sources currently available to conservators are unable to guarantee accuracy, control or uniformity, and therefore may compromise the favourable outcome of treatment. The lack of mobile high precision and accessible instrumentation impacts conservation treatment capacities and the long-term preservation of irreplaceable cultural heritage in the most direct way, since objects may be and are exposed to risk because of inadequate or unavailable instrumentation. This is particularly relevant to treatments that take place in the field, including emergency responses, that often must rely on inadequate tools. The heating table, long considered a basic piece of laboratory equipment for previous methodologies, is now out of sync with the current direction of conservation that favours minimally invasive treatments with respect to those of the past and requires enhanced mobility and versatility. The IMAT goals therefore will hit the core of this problem in many ways and the results will have a lasting impact on conservation methodology and beyond. The unique properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) materials will allow for the design of thin, lightweight, even transparent, stretchable and woven mild heaters with low power needs as an ultra-portable, versatile and efficient alternative for diverse thermal treatments. The development of the IMAT device and methodology will represent a unique opportunity to impact the field of conservation of heritage products in a significant manner, and the full extent of the potential for application will become evident only during the execution of the three-year project. Further application of the technology to fields outside of art conservation, such as art transportation, medical field, aeronautics, car industry, apparel industry and more will be investigated. The project was conceived with a research-based objective, focusing on the creation of the IMAT device in order to improve the quality, accessibility and cost effectiveness of a fundamental tool for art conservators in Europe and globally.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Mild heating is commonly used for conservation of cultural heritage. A novel portable device exploiting carbon nanotubes promises to revolutionise heat treatment and simultaneously make it more widely applicable.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Heating is the key to successful structural treatments of paintings, paper or textiles including consolidation or amelioration of planar deformation. However, currently available technology lacks control, uniformity and accuracy all of which can have negative and irreversible consequences. Furthermore, lack of mobility puts invaluable pieces of cultural heritage at risk, making it difficult to treat remote objects or to respond quickly to emergencies.

The EU-funded project 'Intelligent mobile multipurpose accurate thermoelectrical (IMAT) device for art conservation' (http://www.imatproject.eu (IMAT)) is solving all these critically important issues. Partners are developing precision heating technology based on carbon nanotubes integrated in a conductive coating, the key area of technical development.

The building blocks of the IMAT system are a conductive film heater and a control unit. The control unit includes an electrical power supply, a touch screen console and a thermocouple (electrodes and sensors) exploiting wireless Bluetooth technology. The heaters are designed to be light weight, low power and ultra-thin with additional functionalities in each prototype.

Flexibility, low power consumption and mobility favour large-area conductive film heating that can be rolled up and easily transported to the area of need. These characteristics also aid in utilisation on three-dimensional objects of complex shape. The result is a step change with respect to the conventional heating table.

By the end of the first reporting period, three prototypes had been delivered. The IMAT standard (IMAT-S) is opaque and non-breathable. The breathable version (IMAT-B) is also opaque but incorporates a membrane permeable to air and water vapour. Finally, the transparent version (IMAT-T) is not permeable although a perforated version is being considered. Transparency will enable the user to visually monitor the object during treatment.

The IMAT systems would also be quite useful in cleaning painted surfaces with enzymes as they require controlled and stable temperatures to operate. Technology could also be used to rid objects of insects and bacteria. IMAT heaters are expected to be welcomed by the cultural heritage community while technology will likely spawn applications in other areas.