Conservation and Restoration

As a consortium member and key developer of the EU Horizon 2020 project SensMat (Grant Agreement No 814596), we developed and applied a portable Raman spectrometer for the non-destructive analysis of sensitive cultural heritage materials.

Materials Analyzed:

• Inorganic pigments: Malachite, azurite, vermilion, lead white, ochres 
• Metal corrosion products: Cuprite, tenorite, brochantite on archaeological artifacts
• Organic materials: Drying oils, resins, protein-based binders 
• Degradation markers: Sulfate, nitrate salts causing efflorescence  
   Substrates: Wood, stone, plaster, mural grounds
  
  

Case Studies:

• Roman cavalry sword ("spatha")
  Identification of green corrosion products as malachite (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂)
  Assessment of preservation state and conservation needs
  
  

• 9th-century wall paintings, Corvey Abbey
  Analysis of pigment composition and degradation
  Support for restoration planning and documentation
  
  

Your Benefit:  
Preserve cultural heritage with scientific precision — using non-destructive, mobile Raman microspectroscopy and custom software solutions:

• No sample damage — ideal for irreplaceable artifacts 
  
  
• On-site capability — direct analysis in museums, churches, or excavation sites  
  
  
• Full documentation — automated PDF reports with spectra, metadata, and interpretation  
  
  
• Fast substance matching — via SQLite database with >200 reference spectra
   
• Offline operation — secure use in restricted environments

Technology Transfer to Public Safety:  
The analytical methods developed for cultural heritage are directly transferable to forensic investigations, such as:

           -  Identification of ignitable liquids at fire scenes
           -  Analysis of organic residues on tools or packaging
           -  Support for criminal investigations through non-destructive, on-
              site analysis

You can find more information about the EU project here.