Technical Studies

This page title was changed from Technical Studies to Case Studies in 2020.

This page highlights case studies that exemplify the use of research, testing and analysis to advance the work of cultural heritage.

Materials Working Group Round Robin Testing

Ongoing since the November 2018 MWG meeting, the MWG Testing & Standards committee has been conducting round robin testing (i.e. interlab comparison) of a selection of microchemical, accelerated ageing, and instrumental volatiles tests on a range of standardized samples. Read more about the techniques and protocols as well as the Materials analyzed in 2019 - 2020.

Conferences & Symposia

International Symposium on the Testing of Materials for Storage and Display of Cultural Heritage

Videos of 10 presentations given at this November 6, 2019 meeting, organized and hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York are now available for viewing on the MET's website.

Session 1 talks: Conventional materials tests and resources: overview and advances

• Survey of Different Methods to Assess Materials Used in Museums From Approved Lists to Piezoelectric Crystal - Jean Tétreault, Senior Conservation Scientist, Canadian Conservation Institute

• Updating The Met's 3-in-1 Oddy Test, Successes and Issues - Eric Breitung, Research Scientist, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• WHO KNEW?! An Overview of Materials Resources, Usage and Future Plans in AIC's Online Universe - Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Principal, A.M. Art Conservation

• Oddy Vs. PAT Smackdown! - Daniel Burge Senior Research Scientist, Image Permanence Institute

Session 2 talks: Advances in materials testing and pollution monitoring using analytical tools

• Selection of Low Emitting Material for the Construction of Display Cases Based on the BEMMA-procedure - Wolfgang Horn, Senior Scientist, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung

• The Paper Test, a Novel Analytical Approach for a Semi-quantitative Oddy Test Alternative - Francesca Volpi, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Development of a Semi-quantitative GCMS-based Thermal Desorption 'Toolbox' to Examine and Limit the Risk to Collections From Volatile Compounds - Eric Monroe, Supervisory Scientist, Library of Congress

• Oddy Testing and SPME GC-MS Analysis of Acrylic Adhesives Used in Museums - Catherine H. Stephens, Associate Research Scientist, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Determining Material Suitability by Direct Isothermal Desorption: Rigid PVC Boards for Vitrine Decks and Back Panels - Michael Samide, Professor of Chemistry, Butler University

• Making and Interpreting Pollution and Corrosion Rate Measurements During Exhibitions - Dr. David Thickett, Senior Conservation Scientist, English Heritage

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