Centres Científics i Tecnològics UB

Historical and cultural heritage

Contact: nferrer@ccit.ub.edu                                                                                [Download PDF]

Analysis and characterization of materials.

The CCiTUB have been participating in the analysis and characterization of samples from the historical and cultural heritage for many years. Orders received come from researchers at the University of Barcelona, other universities and public centers, and also from private centers. We have proven expertise and technical advice by qualified technicians in various instrumental techniques.

Applications.

• Characterization of mineral and organic pigments in paintings, sculptures and other pieces.
• Characterization of inks in prints and manuscripts.
• Analysis of degradation of paper and parchment.
• Cross-sectional analysis of multilayers paintings.
• Characterization of sediments in ancient containers used to keep wine, oil...
• Monitoring degradation of furniture coatings.
• Analysis of skin, hair and mummies.
• Characterization of diffetrent kind of wood in art pieces.
• Analysis of varnishes in ancient musical instruments.
• Differentation between "fresco" and "seco" paintings. Identification of protein or oil as binders.
• Degradation of historical films.
• Differentiation between natural and synthetic gems. Analysis of contaminants in gems.
• Differentiation between bones and elephant, walrus and fossil ivories.

Some of the technologies used for this purpose are:

• Gas chromatography
• Infrared spectroscopy
• Liquid chromatography
• Raman spectroscopy
• Radiocarbon dating
• Scan Electron Microscopy

Examples:

Cocolitofòrids
Determinación de tartratos en el fondo de un recipiente cerámico romano que contenía vino.
Cèl·lula HeLa
Diferencias en el contenido de agua y dióxido de carbono en esmeraldas sintéticas y naturales.
Highslide JS
Análisis de los componentes de una tinta sobre un pergamino medieval.
Highslide JS
Sección transversal de la capa pictórica de una pintura al óleo de principios del siglo XX.
imatge AFM d'un polimer
Partícula de tinta en un sello de la época Victoriana conteniendo azul de Prusia.

For more information

Coordinadora: Núria Ferrer Felis
nferrer@ccit.ub.edu
Centres Científics i Tecnològics
Universitat de Barcelona
C/ Lluís Solé i Sabarís, 1
08028 Barcelona