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GROUP’S CONTRIBUTION TO IFAC STRATEGIC PLAN: SABEC

Group Name and Acronym

  • Spettroscopia Applicata ai Beni Culturali (SABeC)

Research Themes and Competences

  • Research Themes:
    • The SABeC activity concerns the study and development of advanced techniques for diagnostics and monitoring of cultural heritage and the environment in relation to its interactions with cultural heritage. To this end, various methods are used in the field of photonics and neutronics, with particular regard to optical, IR, and THz spectroscopic techniques, as well as neutron diffraction, radiography, and tomography for non-invasive bulk analysis of metal historical artefacts.
  • The research activity is focused on:
    • Development of innovative analysis techniques and methodologies for the study of the artists’ and restoration materials, artworks, and archaeological findings;
    • Development of diagnostic techniques and methodologies, documentation and analysis of the state of conservation and manufacturing process of artistic and architectural artefacts and their related degradation phenomena; particular attention is paid to the development of non-invasive methods, to the optimized use of portable instrumentation for in situ measurements, and to the access to advanced neutron methods available at international large-scale facilities;
    • Design and optimization of dedicated instrumentation for applications on artistic artefacts, and in support of conservative and restoration interventions;
    • Planning and fulfilment of neutron experimental campaign at large international neutron sources for non-invasive diagnostic analysis of historical and artistic artefacts using neutron imaging and diffraction for compositional, microstructural and morphological characterization, with particular attention to metal artefacts;
    • Spectroscopic data fusion techniques and imaging techniques;
    • Data analysis with multivariate statistical methods and treatment of problems relating to the processing and use of Big Data in the Heritage Science area;
    • Definition of methodologies and application of devices for environmental monitoring in museums and storage areas, with particular attention to problems relating to lighting in museums (monitoring, control and standardization).
  • Technical skills and competences:
    • Explication of UV, Vis, IR spectroscopic data;
    • Design and optimization of hyperspectral cameras, imaging systems, high precision mechanical handling for imaging systems, radiation sources at various wavelengths;
    • Development of methodologies for the acquisition of imaging data;
      Analysis of imaging and spectroscopic data using multivariate statistical techniques;
    • Portable Digital Microscope Diagnostic Analysis;
    • Metallographic Digital Microscopy;
    • Data analysis of neutron radiographs and tomography, reconstruction techniques and image segmentation;
    • Analysis of neutron diffraction data with the Rietveld method for the study of the compositions, microstructures and residual stresses of crystalline materials.