Final Report Summary - INFRARTSONIC (Development of a novel and integrated portable non destructive analysis system for the documentation of artworks) The 'Development of a novel and integrated portable non destructive analysis system for the documentation of artworks' (INFRARTSONIC) project aimed to develop a novel and integrated non-destructive portable system for the determination of artworks paint layers profile in depth as well as the local distribution of the pigments in each of the paint layers. The system that was finally developed combine two modalities, acoustic microscopy and UV-VIS-nIR-mIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Data acquired with the two modalities in the same areas of analysis are jointly processed and correlated to trace the depth profile of the paint layers (ultrasound modality) and to map the pigments in each respective paint layer (UV-VIS-nIR-mIR spectroscopy). The final result will be reconstructed as a three-dimensional (3D) model displaying the paint structure of the artworks in the selected regions of interest of the artwork. The two modalities can also be separately used according to the specific needs that each time arise. During the first six months of the project's second year (01/01/2007 30/06/2007) the final UV-VIS-nIR-mIR spectroscopic device has already been developed and tested operating in diffuse reflectance mode. Some power sufficiency problems as well as incompatibilities of the sensors geometry as required by the INFRARTSONIC applications were experienced. These deficiencies were identified, evaluated and resolved. Moreover, some of the especially developed modules for these applications by third parties (needed for the device assembly) were experimentally found by not working as expected. The above modules were returned to the corresponding manufacturers. After being also tested by them, the researchers' findings were confirmed and the manufacturers took corrective measures. To overcome these unexpected problems (fail of the sensors and beam splitter of the mIR module), the overall development of the device had to be delayed for some months still meeting the deadlines of the initially foreseen timetable. But on the other side, the experimental work necessary to reveal these deficiencies provided to the involved consortium scientists the occasion to further optimise the development of the instruments. The acquisition software for the spectroscopic device is developed. The algorithms for post-processing the acquired spectra are also developed and implemented using the Matlab platform. The final version of the code is finalised currently ported and debugged to Visual C++ platform. According to the initial design of the acoustic microscope module (performed during the first year), a first prototype is developed in OADC labs and two other prototypes in Egypt and in Jordan (CULTNAT and RSS respectively). Data acquired using the two modalities the same areas of analysis are jointly processed and correlated to trace the depth profile of the paint layers (ultrasound modality) and to map the pigments in each respective paint layer (UV-VIS-nIR-mIR spectroscopy). For that purpose, special algorithms have also been developed using system theory and Kubelka-Munk theory, combined with neural networks techniques in order to estimate the existing stratigraphy in a region-of-interest of an artwork. As a result, the system is able to detect any existing under-paintings or previous restoration attempts, the authenticity of an artwork as well as the painting technique and materials used. The final output of the system can be reconstructed as a 3D model displaying the paint structure of the artworks in the selected regions of interest, providing an overview of the stratigraphy without sampling. The project consortium managed to achieve all the foreseen milestones as well as to develop the prototype device before schedule (even though administrational delayed happened from initially unexpected reasons). Two more prototypes were developed and installed in the Mediterranean partner countries (Egypt, Jordan). The project's outline and objectives were presented in several conferences related to the field of cultural heritage objects documentation and analysis. INFRARTSONIC was also presented in detail to SMEs and other companies which provide parts for the device assembly. Active involvement of these SMEs in the dissemination of INFRARTSONIC results as well as to several technological tasks was also encouraged. The establishment of this collaboration is strategically made not only for dissemination reasons but also for improving the technology and services provided in a later stage by INFRARTSONIC infrastructure. Documents connexes Final Report - INFRARTSONIC (Development of a novel and integrated portable non destructive analysis system for the documentation of artworks)
