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Application of Two and Three Dimensional Neutron Imaging with Focus on Cultural Heritage Research
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
F11018CRP
1782Approved Date
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
20 January 2017Description
Heritage is mankind’s legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Cultural and natural heritages are of high importance for further understanding of past, present and future. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. World Heritage is important to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.There is a continuous need from the Cultural Heritage (CH) community for non-invasive characterisation of their research objects which include irreplaceable unique findings recovered from Archaeological-, Palaeontologic-, Human evolution- and Historical sites. Answers needed entail identification of ancient manufacturing technology, detection of hidden objects, mensuration, authentication, provenance and the identification of best ways of conservation, etc. Neutron imaging (NI) technology, that also entails 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional results, provides a unique non-destructive bulk analytical capability to the CH community. New imaging techniques under development expand the capability of the existing NI technology in the field of chemical and/or elemental analysis. This new CRP intends to harmonize selected Neutron-based Imaging techniques to provide state-of-the-art end user services in the area of Cultural Heritage research. The CRP promotes NI technology utilization in interested Member States, especially those in developing countries in order to encourage exploitation of all types of neutron sources for NI through CH research activities. This project will also strengthen collaboration between the NI specialists and researchers from the CH community.
Objectives
Harmonize selected Neutron-based Imaging techniques to provide state-of-the-art end user services in the area of Cultural Heritage research.
Specific objectives
Develop a database of standard NI-services for CH needs.
Evaluate available software for data-analysis and simulations.
Establish the necessary standardization procedures and -methodology to achieve synergy among participating laboratories / facilities.
Strengthen collaboration between the NI specialists and researchers from cultural heritage community.
Adopt Neutron Imaging (NI) technology to enhance its utilisation in cultural heritage (CH) research activities.
Impact
Through the CRP, it has been sufficiently demonstrated that neutron imaging (NI) techniques can support cultural heritage studies. The CRP has also promoted NI technology utilisation in all Member States, especially those in developing countries in order to encourage exploitation of all types of neutron sources for NI through CH research activities. During the first two terms of the CRP these activities established and strengthened collaborations between the NI specialists and researchers from the CH community
Relevance
Due to the sensitive nature of cultural heritage, their conservation , restoration and management require non-invasive techniques in order to preserve their original state as much as possible. To this end, neutron imaging techniques offer this functionality over many conventional methods. The development of such techniques through the CRP is therefore relevant and has made significant contributions to cultural heritage studies and also proven to the cultural heritage community the capability of nuclear techniques.