Plasma Technology in the Preservation and Cleaning of Cultural Heritage Objects

Dr. Radko Tiňo is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. He focuses his research on the properties and modifications of materials composed of natural polymers, mainly wood, paper, composites and parchment. He is also active in research and development of new mass conservation technologies for the preservation of cultural heritage. Since 2003, he has been actively researching the effects of low-temperature non-equilibrium plasmas on the surfaces of lignocellulosic materials in international projects (Durawood, SusPlArt) and domestic projects (PlasmArt, Mespekri, and others). He is a member of the advisory board of experts of the Slovak Commission for UNESCO and a member of the steering committee of the Working Party of Chemistry in Cultural Heritage within the European Chemical Society. Dr. Katarína Vizárová is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava in the field of natural polymers and materials. Her research focuses on the identification, degradation and stabilization processes of organic materials and heritage objects. She has led and been part of several international and domestic research projects focused on mass conservation technologies for the preservation of heritage objects and materials. Dr. František Krčma is an associate professor at Brno University of Technology in the field of physical chemistry. His research focuses on low temperature non-equilibrium plasmas in gases and liquids and their applications in material, environmental and biomedical applications. He was a chair of COST Action TD1208 Electrical discharges in liquids for future applications. Dr. Milena Reháková is an associate professor at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava in the field of macromolecular chemistry. Her research focuses on the spectral identification, characterization, stabilization and cleaning processes of the color layer and writing means on traditional supports. Dr. Viera Jančovičová is an associate professor at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, where she focuses on the study of photochemical processes and reactions. Her research also includes historical photographs, the study of their light and thermal stability, the degradation processes associated with their ageing and their protection. Dr. Zdenka Kozáková is an associate professor at Brno University of Technology in Brno, Czech Republic in the field of physical chemistry. Her research focuses on diagnostics, chemical analyses and applications of non-thermal plasmas generated in gases and liquids.

1. Introduction. 2. Introduction to Cleaning in Preservation of Cultural Heritage. 3. Plasma Technologies in Preservation of Cultural Heritage. 4. Cleaning Processes in Plasma. 5. Plasma Cleaning of Inorganic Objects and Materials. 6. Plasma Cleaning of Organic Objects and Materials. 7. Overview of Relevant Research Projects. 8. Current Own Case Studies.