Example project

Cleaning of artefacts

Cleaning aims to remove soil and contaminants from the surface of an object. The cleaning process chosen should not causes damage to the object nor alter its artistic integrity. Imperial College is investigating new cleaning processes, and evaluating the effects that cleaning has on surfaces both immediately and after further ageing has occurred. Examples include solvent cleaning of oriental lacquer (including aqueous cleaning of water-sensitive surfaces), and laser or solvent cleaning of plastics. 

Further reading

• Solvent effects on East Asian lacquer (Toxicodendron vernicifluum)
• Studies in laser cleaning from London museums including some recent work on laser cleaning of PMMA
• Greener Solvents Project (Sustainability in Conservation)
  

Scientific literature

• The chemistry of East Asian lacquer: A review of the scientific literature
• Solvent effects on East Asian lacquer - Lecture
• Solvent effects on East Asian lacquer (Toxicodendron vernicifluum)
• A minimal model for solvent evaporation and absorption in thin films
• Investigating the impact of cleaning treatments on polystyrene using SEM, AFM and ToF–SIMS
• Studies in laser cleaning from London museums including some recent work on laser cleaning of PMMA
• Rapid characterisation of surface modifications and treatments using a benchtop SIMS instrument
• TOF-SIMS analysis of corroding museum glass
• Initial results on laser cleaning at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and Tate Gallery
• A topographical assessment and comparison of conservation cleaning treatments

Image credit: Judith Thei, courtesy of the V&A