RAM-ART
Raman spectroscopy in research and preservation of cultural heritage
Procurement and application of a portable micro-Raman spectrometer for non-destructive chemical-technological analysis of fine art materials, especially organic materials, pigments and binders.
The funds of this Project are planned to improve the Natural History Laboratory of the Academy of Fine Arts through the purchase of a portable, confocal micro-Raman spectrometer, an instrument optimized for non-destructive research of cultural heritage objects, characterization of materials and determination of chemical properties of organic materials and binders. This will significantly improve the scientific research infrastructure of the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art of the Academy of Fine Arts, and thus of the University of Zagreb. It will enable the application of state-of-the-art technological solutions and sophisticated methods for the purpose of scientific research, analysis, evaluation and preservation of Croatian cultural heritage, as well as a significant increase in the level of education and better teaching of restoration/conservation studies. The plan is to purchase a portable micro-Raman spectrometer with a measuring module over optical fibers and an excitation laser of 785 nm, ready to work both in the laboratory and in-situ, on field research on micro and macro samples/objects. This, in addition to the existing instruments of the Laboratory, would bring the scientific research activities of the Academy and the University closer to the world-renowned natural science centers for the protection of cultural heritage and enable a significant increase in the excellence of scientific research. As part of the project, it is planned to create a database of our own reference Raman spectra of Croatian painting materials of the 19th and 20th centuries and its integration into the existing system of the available digital library of spectra. Such sets of information would be publicly available to all interested scientists, experts and institutions in the field of cultural heritage, and would serve as a reference point for further research, authentication processes and conservation and restoration treatments on similar works of art. The research plans to involve more collaborators from external institutions and institutions, and the results will be presented at conferences and through publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals. Unlike the research of historical artifacts of the 15th-18th centuries, during which the pigments of that time can be precisely characterized by the already available instruments of the ALU Laboratory (XRF, FTIR, Reflectance Spectroscopy, PLM), more recent painting materials, especially modern, synthetic pigments of the 20th century, are extremely complex to research and without an appropriate analytical instrument, their identification is practically impossible. However, due to its specific and unique configuration, this instrument enables a more precise analysis of such materials, i.e. pigments and dyes that are very difficult (if at all) to research and positively identify with the existing laboratory equipment of the Laboratory at the Academy, as well as at other similar institutions in Croatia. In this sense, the realization of this project would give the national space a more complete laboratory related to the protection of national monumental heritage, which enables quality international cooperation and a new quality in the research segment of cultural heritage protection. This would also open up the possibilities of new promising research that contribute to the reputation of the University and the constituent unit, and reduce the possible consequences of lagging behind in relation to other research centers of a similar type around us and in Europe.
Project objective
The main objective of this project is the procurement of a portable micro-Raman spectrometer and its use to significantly improve the scientific research and educational infrastructure of the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Zagreb. At the same time, the goal is to enable work on activities that will potentially benefit all interested scientists, experts and institutions in the field of research and protection of cultural heritage in Croatia and beyond.
The main objective is divided into four strategic objectives aligned with the goals of the institution and the community involved, and specific objectives within them have been elaborated.
Strategic objective 1: Raising scientific excellence
Specific objective 1.1. Increasing participation in competitive sources of funding for scientific activity
Indicator: The implementation of the project will contribute to publications in scientific journals ranked in the SCOPUS and WoS index databases, A1 journals and internationally peer-reviewed proceedings. Monitoring: total number of published scientific papers
Strategic Objective 2: Strengthening cooperation with the economy and development of national and regional identity and culture
Specific objective 2.3. Improving the provision of scientific and research services for the development of culture and education
The project actively contributes to the cultural offer and the availability of interdisciplinary activities to the academic and professional community, offering various services to interested institutions in the field of cultural heritage (museums, galleries, etc.), as well as to scientific institutions and constituents of the University, both through research work in the laboratory and in-situ. Monitoring: total number of realized collaborations
Strategic objective 3: Increasing the relevance, quality and efficiency of studying
Specific objective 3.1. Improvement of studies
The implementation of the project enables the introduction of student practice and practical work of students using a sophisticated and unique research infrastructure. Monitoring: use of modern methods and technologies in teaching, learning based on project work, active participation in writing scientific and professional papers, designing, writing and implementing joint projects with teachers
Strategic objective 4: Strengthening social responsibility
Specific objective 4.6. Popularization of science and art
Dissemination of project results through public presentations, publications, demonstrations at open days and workshops bring the activities of this interdisciplinary field closer to stakeholders of all levels of education, from the lowest level and the earliest age, trying to interest them and introduce them to this interesting and special world of science and art. Monitoring: number of activities for the popularization of science and art