All Conservation articles
-
NewsNew plans for ‘encasing’ Marie Curie building met with further opposition
Heritage group claims ‘oversized’ project ‘jeopardises’ the building’s architectural integrity
-
ResearchChemists use AI to uncover pigments used on Berlin Wall murals
Researchers hope work will help to preserve this art
-
NewsUK launches £37m programme to uncover cultural heritage through chemistry
Funding will aid analysis of archaeological materials and preservation of artwork
-
ResearchPioneering preservative removal from ancient Greek ship allows accurate dating
Extraction of polyethylene glycol from ship’s wood enables radiocarbon recalibration
-
NewsDavy notebook project paints complicated picture of influential chemist
Humphry Davy was a prolific scientist, but could also be petty, selfish and prejudiced
-
NewsWhat Humphry Davy’s notebooks reveal about his life and work
Excerpts show different sides of chemist’s character
-
FeatureConserving Barbie from degradation
Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem
-
NewsOutcry over plans to demolish art deco building used in Marie Curie’s and colleagues’ research
Former radioactive sources storage site slated for decontamination on 8 January to be knocked down to make way for office block
-
ResearchChemistry tools reveal surprise lead layer under a Rembrandt masterpiece
X-ray imaging uncovers a surprising lead substance beneath The Night Watch, likely used to safeguard the famous painting from moisture
-
ResearchChemists discover new lead(II) oxide pigments in the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper
Findings provide new insight into paints used by Leonardo da Vinci
-
ResearchXRF reveals early drafts of ancient Egyptian art
Portable analytical equipment allows greater analysis of ancient artwork
-
ResearchBeer byproduct used as a binder in paintings during the Danish Golden Age
Scientists identify proteins from cereal species using mass spectrometry
-
FeatureThe smell of history
Nina Notman sniffs out chemistry’s role in uncovering, documenting and recreating the scents of the past
-
FeatureUnwrapping ancient Egyptian chemistry
From mummification to metallurgy, Rachel Brazil looks at the impressive chemistry used by this ancient civilisation
-
ResearchExplaining the mysterious purple gold at Spain's Alhambra
Chemical corrosion converts gold leaf into purple nanospheres
-
OpinionHidden details in iconic portrait of Lavoisiers reveal fears of coming revolution
As the French Revolution neared the Lavoisiers were reimagined as scientific progressives rather than out of touch aristocrats
-
ResearchInvisible graphene veil protects paintings from fading
Thin layers of graphene could prevent up to 70% of light-induced colour fading
-
NewsKew Gardens exhibit will showcase dazzling display of structural colour
Nanostructures that create the ‘brightest colours ever created’ will be on display at gallery
-
Research3D-printed ‘digital ivory’ saves antique artworks – and maybe elephants
‘Digory’ will be invaluable for restoration projects, and could help prevent ivory poaching that threatens the survival of wild elephants
-
ResearchPompeii’s paintings imperilled by precipitates
Volcanic ash protected the city’s frescos for centuries, now it might hasten their decline