SEM2010

The Department of Conservation and Scientific Research is hosting a conference on the application of scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis (SEM2010-EDX) to the study of materials, manufacturing methods and deterioration processes of objects from ancient through to contemporary cultures.

The conference will be in English and will include oral and poster presentations; it is intended that the proceedings of the conference will be published.

There will be eight sessions over the two days.

Topics will fall under the following main themes:

Materials, technology and manufacturing processes
Metals; ceramics; stone; glass; organics, textiles and paper; modern materials; pigments and artists materials; mineralogy; tool-marks, wear and evidence of use; coinage; jewellery; manufacturing processes and workshop techniques (e.g. goldsmithing).

Conservation
Condition of objects, repair methods and materials, physical and chemical treatments, environmental and preventive conservation issues, materials testing and evaluation, corrosion and degradation, new conservation treatments.

New applications and instrumental developments
New applications of variable pressure/ environmental SEM2010 and high resolution FESEM2010 to the study and conservation of materials from antiquity to contemporary collections including integrated/hybrid systems.