Micro-invasive diagnostics

Il Laboratorio

The Laboratory

The objective of the Micro-Invasive Diagnostics laboratory is to obtain compositional information on the artworks under investigation through the study of micro-samples taken from selected areas, according to the principle of being representative and the least intrusive. In this case, the purpose of the investigations is to investigate the following aspects: characterising the constituent materials and those related to previous conservations, as well as the artwork’s conservation conditions; studying the chemical, physical, and biological alterations; researching reaction mechanisms, indicators, and kinetics of alteration and degradation; identifying the main biodeterioration agents of the artwork analysed; developing new conservation and restoration methodologies as well as new diagnostic methodologies for the scientific investigation of artworks.

After a photo-documentation stage using stereomicroscopy or optical microscopy, the micro-samples can be analysed directly or after encapsulation in resin for observation in cross-sections. Samples can be subjected to elemental analysis – X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy with microprobes (SEM-EDS) or molecular analysis – infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and RAMAN spectroscopy, also using microscopes or microchemical testing, with information also of a stratigraphic nature. This department is also involved in the study and characterisation of biological manifestations affecting inert media such as stone materials, aggregates, and ceramics.