The project is part of the EU research and innovation program Horizon 2020 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action) and is composed of 14 subprojects involving the training of doctoral students (ESRs). The Swiss National Museum's Collection Centre has coordinated the ESR-12, Mrs. D. Sharma, researching on glass corrosion in presence of volatile organic compounds. The conservation science department (Dr. T. Lombardo, and Dr. K. Schmidt-Ott) and the conservation-restoration (U. Rothenhäusler) of the SNM are involved.
Model glass has been manufactured and artificially corroded, then extensively analysed using among others, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, Reflectance Transformation Imaging, Hyperspectral Imaging, and Digital Microscopy. Investigation has led to the establishment of a documentation methodology which will help conservators-restorers in the early detection of changes in the glass objects. Systematic investigation of different cleaning approaches and preventive conservation methods using the corroded model glasses is planned. The results will help preserving the historical glass objects of the collection under the best possible conditions.
Project Partners:
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Project coordinator), and 18 institutions in 7 European countries
Geologist, Deputy Head of Conservation Research