Educating future professionals in conservation science: The challenges of an interdisciplinary field

Training and education paths in conservation science have been the subject of ongoing debate over the last two decades. A key issue is that conservation science, although not a new field, is not adequately defined, which leads to a lack of consensus regarding the competencies needed. During the ICCROM Forum 2013 on Conservation Science, education for conservation scientists was discussed, with a particular focus on those necessary competencies which exceed the scientific domain. This paper reflects on the outcomes of these discussions as well as the results of surveys carried out by ICCROM in preparation for the Forum on education, job advertisements, and the relationship between conservation professionals and science. Challenges identified included current professional paths, dissemination of scientific findings, use of specialized terminology, and the need for professionals who serve more than one area of specialization. These challenges could be viewed as an opportunity to revise and modify educational programmes. New interactive platforms could be used to facilitate participative science projects, and could change the way projects are carried out in the near future

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Conservation science: Reflections and future perspectives

The ICCROM Forum 2013 on Conservation Science resulted in a series of recommendations for improving the relevance and impact of science within cultural heritage conservation. These recommendations are outlined in this paper. Central to the Forum recommendations is the responsibility of conservation science to provide benefit through research and innovation. This relies on shared strategic vision and good governance, to identify priority needs and align efforts accordingly. To enhance the effectiveness of conservation science research, it is imperative to adopt an approach based on needs assessment, collaboration, and sharing. However, to establish whether desired goals are being met, systematic assessment of what is delivered and how it is used is required. Evaluation tools provide a structured way to identify needs and to measure results, offering a basis for learning and improvement. A new initiative is outlined, launched by ICCROM in follow-up to the Forum, to develop a common framework for needs and outcome assessment for heritage conservation science. To achieve this will require participation and support at multiple levels, and collaboration is called for to continue and sustain this effort

The Use of Solvent-Gel Systems for the Cleaning of PMMA

This paper discusses the use of solvent-gel systems for the cleaning of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces. Aqueous polymer gel systems have been introduced to the conservation field with a particular focus on paintings, painted surfaces of wooden artefacts and stone. However, their application on plastics is very recent. Statistically designed experiments aimed to assess the efficiency and damage potential of materials constituting selected solvent-gel cleaning systems. The effect of the free solvents (deionized water, ethanol, isopropanol and petroleum ether), the hydrogel carriers (Agar, Pemulen™ TR-2, Carbopol® EZ 2-Ethomeen® C-25 and 80% hydrolysed PVAc-borax) and their combinations after 5 and 60 minutes of application time on PMMA surfaces, were evaluated through qualitative visual microscopic observation and SEM imaging, and quantitative weight change measurements. Visual observations revealed that the action of solvents (i.e. ethanol and isopropanol) was moderated by gellation (i.e. Agar), while other gel systems (i.e. Pemulen) were unsatisfactory. Results of gravimetric studies showed that most solvent-gels resulted in inconsistencies and large weight changes

The Effect of Gelling Agents and Solvents on PMMA Surfaces: A Comparative Study

Gels were introduced to the field of conservation to optimize cleaning treatments through their assumed ability to control solvent diffusion and limit mechanical stresses. We are currently undertaking a systematic study into the impact of solvent gel combinations to increase our understanding of their effect on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) artefacts. The isotropic, amorphous nature of PMMA renders it vulnerable to low molecular weight liquid penetration (Shashoua 2008). Their diffusion into PMMA results in changes to mechanical behaviour; a localized reduction in yield strength renders the material highly susceptible to scratches, crazes and brittle fracture (Michler 1989: 378). Based on the hypothesis that solvent-based gels permit solvent penetration into the PMMA surface, while minimizing the risk of material dissolution (Khandekar 2004), this study assesses the damage potential of the individual materials employed in gel systems. Experimental work examined the effect, safety and time-dependent action of solvents, hydrogel matrices and solvent-gel mixtures

Synergistic effects of additives to benzotriazole solutions applied as corrosion inhibitors to archaeological copper and copper alloy artefacts.

Benzotriazole (BTA) is a corrosion inhibitor extensively used for the stabilisation of active corrosion of archaeological copper and copper alloys. However, BTA often fails to effectively retard corrosion when applied on heavily corroded artefacts. Although there are numerous studies about its mode of action on clean copper, there is no comprehensive understanding about the way it is bonded to corroded copper. This thesis aimed to understand and compare BTA and its mode of action on clean and corroded copper by examining possible factors that could affect efficiency including concentration, solvent, period of immersion and pH. BTA efficiency could be improved by making use not only of these results but also of the synergism that is observed between BTA and other inhibitive compounds. The combination of inhibitors and the use of the synergistic effect between compounds is common in industry but has never been tested before for use in conservation. The synergistic effect could be beneficial for use on corroded copper alloys suffering with active corrosion. The six compounds selected were 5-Amino-2-Mercapto-l, 3, 4- Thiadiazole (AMT), Benzylamine (BZA), Ethanolamine (ET), l-Phenyl-5-Mercapto- Tetrazole (PMT), Potassium Ethyl Xanthate (KEX) and Potassium Iodide (KJ). These were tested on their own and in combination with BTA. Accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on artificially corroded copper coupons. Analysis using SEM-EDS, XPS, and FT-IR allowed a better understanding of the way different factors affect the formation of the copper-BTA complex formed and subsequently the BTA efficiency. The addition of other compounds into the BTA solutions significantly affected the complex formed and the film properties. Copper(I)-inhibitor complexes were proven to be more protective than copper(II) complexes. The results also showed that there is a synergistic effect between BTA and AMT which results in improved inhibitive efficiency of both inhibitors. The composition of the film formed was mainly dependent on the concentration of the solution, however, it was found to be effective in very low concentrations as well as aqueous solutions. Finally, field trials of some of the more effective solutions of compounds were performed on archaeological objects from Turkey and Greece and these results confirmed those of the laboratory experiments. All of the experiments and fields trials were designed and analysed statistically

Effects of selected solvents on PMMA after prolonged exposure: unilateral NMR and ATR-FTIR investigations

Abstract Exposure of heritage plastics to solvents can cause several changes to their surface layers and bulk. The amorphous nature of certain plastics, particularly polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), allows penetration and diffusion of low-molecular liquids, which can lead to swelling, cracking, plasticisation or stiffening, extraction and dissolution of polymer and additive components. Such phenomena compromise the visual characteristics, chemical and physical structure of heritage collections and remain, for the most part, unexplored. Research studies present contradicting evidence concerning the use of solvents and their safe application on PMMA. The main discrepancy is about PMMA being permeable to water or not. Alcohols have also triggered debates about whether they cause leaching and/or depolymerisation. This paper investigates the potential effects that selected free polar and non-polar solvents—employed in different media as cleaning systems—can have on PMMA after prolonged contact. The Hildebrand solubility theory was used to select solvents based on PMMA’s miscibility. The effects of deionised water, ethanol, isopropanol and petroleum ether are examined through a 30-day immersion study of PMMA via microscopic examination, weight change measurements, ATR-FTIR, peak height ratios, and NMR MOUSE. All four solvents extracted soluble components, i.e. unreacted residual monomer, and increased PMMA’s surface sensitivity to abrasions. Water and petroleum ether did not cause any measurable chemical or physical changes. Alcohols caused surface crystallisation and crazing, with isopropanol leading to stiffening and ethanol to plasticisation of the material. These effects, although extreme and absent in most routine cleaning timeframes, demonstrate the cumulative damage these solvents can potentially induce to PMMA

Editorial

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The role of educators in promoting collaborative research

This paper examines some of the current science policy paradigms set at international level to promote open science and participatory research, and discusses how key factors necessary for successful collaboration can usefully contribute to the training of future conservation professionals through group work and research-based learning programmes.Cet article examine certains des paradigmes actuels de la politique scientifique établis au niveau international pour promouvoir la science ouverte et la recherche participative. Il analyse comment des facteurs clés nécessaires à la réussite des collaborations peuvent contribuer utilement à la formation des futurs professionnels de la conservation à travers des programmes d'apprentissage fondés sur la recherche et le travail en groupe