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

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

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