NANOFORART

Nano-materials for the conservation and preservation of movable and immovable artworks

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main objective of the NANOFORART proposal is the development and experimentation of new nano-materials and responsive systems for the conservation and preservation of movable and immovable artworks. While the progress in material science has generated sophisticated nanostructured materials, conservation of cultural heritage is still mainly based on traditional methods and conventional materials that often lack the necessary compatibility with the original artworks and a durable performance in responding to the changes of natural environment and man-made activities. The main challenge of NANOFORART is the combination of sophisticated functional materials arising from the recent developments in nano-science/technology with innovative techniques in the restoration and preventive conservation of works of art, with unprecedented efficiency. The research activity will be focused on the development of manageable methodologies, based on nanosized structures and with a low environmental impact. The main tasks include the production of dispersions of nanoparticles, micellar solutions, microemulsions and gels, in order to offer new reliable pathways to restore and preserve works of art by combining the main features and properties of soft and hard-matter systems for cultural heritage conservation and preservation. In the second part of the project great importance will be given to technology transfer to SMEs that will play an important role in the standardization of applicative protocols, in the up-scale and commercialization of technology and in the evaluation of the eco-toxicity of nano-materials. A fundamental part of the project is also related to the role of end-users. Important museums, such as the National Museum of Anthropology and History of Mexico City and the National Museum of Denmark, will validate the technology and the methods developed in the first part of the project, and provide training activities and dissemination of the developed techniques.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded project has investigated nano-structured materials that can be used to restore cultural landmarks and works of art.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Traditional processes for restoring artworks often lack compatibility with the original materials and involve the use of harsh chemicals detrimental to people and the environment. Many multifunctional nano-structured materials exist that could serve this purpose, but they have yet to be put into practice for art restoration.

The EU-funded project NANOFORART (Nano-materials for the conservation and preservation of movable and immovable artworks) has developed nano-structured products for art restoration techniques like deacidification, cleaning, consolidation and protection.

Scientists produced more than 25 nanoparticle dispersions for the deacidification of paper and canvas and for the consolidation of wall paintings, plaster and stone. In addition, the team produced 14 complex nanostructured fluids for the cleaning of both movable and immovable works of art. Finally, researchers produced seven different gels for controlled-release cleaning.

NANOFORART has tested and studied these new products extensively for potential human and environmental harm. They were also trialled in situ at a number of European museums, on models and actual historical works of art. Several of those formulations tested in museums are now ready for commercialisation.

The project has produced nanomaterials for the preservation and cleaning of cultural heritage for commercial exploitation at competitive prices. The end result will be improved preservation and restoration of cultural heritage and enhanced EU competitiveness. Additional media from the Success Story published on the H2020 site can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/news/fine-art-nanotech (the following link).