We are pleased to announce a new, online edition of the NICAS colloquium on Thursday 13 October 2022 from 12.00 to 13.00 hrs. The colloquium will take place online through Microsoft Teams.
Throughout the year, NICAS organises a bi-weekly Colloquium consisting of two short research lectures. It provides researchers with the opportunity to present ideas for, updates on or results of their activities. The NICAS Colloquium allows people to stay informed on a regular basis about the latest developments and results of research and to exchange information and expertise.
The chair of this colloquium is Francien Bossema (CWI/Rijksmuseum)
The presenters are:
► Noushine Shahidzadeh – Salt Crystallization and damage in layered materials
(Part of the CRYSTINART project)
Abstract:
The famous antique Dutch tin-glazed tiles are world-renowned. Like many forms of cultural heritage all over our planet, these tiles with aging are threatened by salt crystallization, causing their degradation and the detachment of the glaze. The process leading to this salt crystallization at the clay-glaze interface is still poorly understood. Our research focuses on developing a better understanding of the material properties of the tiles and the salt crystallization at the clay-glaze interface. We demonstrate that complementary experimental techniques combined with modeling allow for new insights into the material properties of the tiles themselves and the salt crystallization and damage. We notably show why Dutch tin-glazed tiles based on their petrophysical properties are susceptible to easy moisture uptake and salt accumulation and damage based on the type of salt and their growth dynamics.
Bio:
Noushine Shahidzadeh is Professor chair Crystallization in Porous Media and group leader at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). She is currently member of the board of directors of the Interpore foundation and the scientific board of the Netherlands Institute for Conservation, Art and Science (NICAS). Her area of expertise covers (i) salt crystallization in bulk, confinement and porous media, (ii) the behaviour of surfactants and emulsions system, and (iii) control of wetting and adhesion of surfaces. One of the aims of Shahidzadeh’s research is to support interdisciplinary projects for the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage and artworks.
► Guus Verhaar – The application of neutron and x-ray tomography to the study of archaeological glass objects
Abstract:
The Allard Pierson holds and exhibits the heritage collections of the University of Amsterdam. Part of this collection is group of 43 glass objects supposedly originating from Palmyra, Syria. There is, however, no supportive documentation as to their origins. A research project centered at the Delft University of Technology focuses on the non-destructive investigation of these objects, in order to learn more about their provenance, production techniques and condition. This presentation will focus on the application of neutron tomography and X-ray tomography to four objects from the Palmyra collection. Being sensitive to different elements in the periodic table, the two techniques complement each other well. In combination with compositional analysis, using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and gamma spectroscopy, we obtain more information on the potential origin of the artefacts. The benefits and challenges of this approach will be discussed in the presentation.
Bio:
Guus Verhaar is a postdoctoral researcher at the Delft University of Technology. He is currently working on the characterization of ancient glass objects using a suite of non-destructive techniques. Previously, he worked at the Rijksmuseum, the Corning Museum of Glass and the University of Texas at Dallas where he studied the chemical degradation of glass in museum collections. He holds a PhD in conservation science from the University of Amsterdam.