WORK PERFORMED
Work on: Analytical Techniques and selection of CH materials as case study (07.2016 - 01.2017)
Task: selection and study of analytical techniques, with specific focus on their adaptability and replicability under sustainable and inclusive paradigm. Special focus on analytical techniques for:
1. the acquisition of environmental data suitable for preventive conservation (i.e. Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Dew point; Particulate matter and Air quality; Light irradiation UV-Vis-IR).
2. the acquisition and characterization of morphological and structural changes and alteration of surfaces of several classes of materials and/or artefacts with special focus on stones, ceramics, and paintings (i.e. spectrophotometry, IR-thermal emission, UV-Vis-IR imaging).
Work on: Hardware and Software (10.2016 - 06.2017)
Task: choice, assembling and test of the HW components, and SW implementation. It includes the design and prototyping of microcontroller and analytical modules. The following analytical modules have been prototyped: environmental data acquisition (T, RH and DP); UV and Vis lighting system; video/imaging and stereo-imaging system; colorimetric module (using open HW NanoLambda sensor); IR thermo-response module.
Work on: Laboratory based validation of HW and SW (01.2017 - 06.2017)
Task: laboratory-based tests on microcontrollers and analytical modules assembled from October 2016, as well as on SW and GUIs. During this stage the analytical modules were tested to: check functionalities; calibrate them on certified reference materials; check analytical reliability; set-up of the analytical strategy to adopt during the case-study application.
Work on: Real-case validation (05.2017 - 04.2018)
Task: in site tests for technology validation, analysis on the state of conservation of selected materials, outdoor and indoor environmental monitoring, characterization of degradation phenomena on surfaces; mapping of morphological patters, etc.
Work on: Technology Transfer Actions (from 06.2018)
Task: provide to public and private CH related end-users the technology generated and validated during the project.
MAIN RESULTS ACHIEVED
1. Low cost and open source devices:
- CNC machine for automatic spectrophotometric and morphologic analyses;
- semi-automatized portable device for Reflectance Transformation Imaging technique;
- multi task integrated system ROV for remote mapping and monitoring of structures and environments not easy accessible;
- environmental dataloggers (T, RH, DP; UV-Vis-IR light) for preventive conservation in museums and exhibition areas;
- portable devices for remote and real time monitoring of structural changes in architecture (displacements, motion and vibrations);
2. Knowledge creation, sharing and transfer:
- smARTs generated devices are totally open, which means that the end-user is provided by practical handbooks that allow friendly use of the technology, and step by step guidelines for building and/or customize the devices;
- smARTs project generated technology transfer actions to both public and private CH end-users, as well as allowed to establish an international network on mechatronic applied to CH which involves R&D institutions and enterprises;
- the knowledge generated from the smARTs project has become the backbone of a new research line called 'IT4HS-Inclusive Technology for Heritage Science' launched by the hosting research group.
