Plasma Technology in the Preservation and Cleaning of Cultural Heritage Objects

Scientists have long been looking for alternative methods for the cleaning of historical and cultural museum objects as conventional methods often fail to completely remove surface films, leaving contamination and surface residues behind. Low-temperature plasmas have recently been found to provide a new, efficient and durable approach that maintains the safety of both the materials and personnel. This book is the first to introduce the emerging use of low-temperature plasmas in the cleaning and decontamination of cultural heritage items. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the new possibilities of cleaning objects with plasma, before providing a practice guide to the individual cleaning methods and an overview of the technologies and conditions used in the different cleaning regimes. It is an ideal reference for researchers in plasma physics, in addition to professionals working in the field of historical and cultural conservation. Features: Provides a thorough overview of the cleaning potential of emerging plasma technologies in accessible language for professional restorers and conservators without a scientific background Includes the latest case studies from the field, which have not been published elsewhere yet Authored by a team of experts in the field About the Authors: Dr. Radko Tino is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Katarína Vizárová is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. František Krcma is an Associate Professor at Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. Dr. Milena Reháková is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Viera Jancovicová is an Associate Professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Zdenka Kozáková is an Associate Professor at Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic.

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Introduction to Cleaning in Preservation of Cultural Heritage Chapter 3. Plasma Technologies in Preservation of Cultural Heritage Chapter 4. Cleaning Processes in Plasma Chapter 5. Plasma Cleaning of Inorganic Objects and Materials Chapter 6. Plasma Cleaning of Organic Objects and Materials Chapter 7. Overview of Relevant Research Projects Chapter 8. Current Own Case Studies.

Dr. Radko Tino is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. He focuses his research on the properties and modifications of materials composed of natural polymers, mainly wood, paper, composites and parchment. He is also active in research and development of new mass conservation technologies for the preservation of cultural heritage. Since 2003, he has been actively researching the effects of low-temperature non-equilibrium plasmas on the surfaces of lignocellulosic materials in international projects (Durawood, SusPlArt) and domestic projects (PlasmArt, Mespekri, and others). He is a member of the advisory board of experts of the Slovak Commission for UNESCO and a member of the steering committee of the Working Party of Chemistry in Cultural Heritage within the European Chemical Society. Dr. Katarína Vizárová is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava in the field of natural polymers and materials. Her research focuses on the identification, degradation and stabilization processes of organic materials and heritage objects. She has led and been part of several international and domestic research projects focused on mass conservation technologies for the preservation of heritage objects and materials. Dr. František Krcma is an associate professor at Brno University of Technology in the field of physical chemistry. His research focuses on low temperature non-equilibrium plasmas in gases and liquids and their applications in material, environmental and biomedical applications. He was a chair of COST Action TD1208 Electrical discharges in liquids for future applications. Dr. Milena Reháková is an associate professor at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava in the field of macromolecular chemistry. Her research focuses on the spectral identification, characterization, stabilization and cleaning processes of the color layer and writing means on traditional supports. Dr. Viera Jancovicová is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, where she focuses on the study of photochemical processes and reactions. Her research also includes historical photographs, the study of their light and thermal stability, the degradation processes associated with their ageing and their protection. Dr. Zdenka Kozáková is an associate professor at Brno University of Technology in Brno, Czech Republic in the field of physical chemistry. Her research focuses on diagnostics, chemical analyses and applications of non-thermal plasmas generated in gases and liquids.