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PhD student, University College London
Project Title
Photodegradation and nanotechnology-based conservation of rapid prototyping materials (Nanorestart)
Background & Summary of Project
3D prints are entering museum collections as artists explore new creative possibilities. Similarly, museums realise the potential of Rapid Prototype (RP) technology for public engagement and conservation. Some polymeric RP materials have shown to be unstable, presenting an un-researched conservation challenge. The degradation mechanisms of RP polymers are investigated and the effectiveness of novel nanomaterials for plastics conservation assessed. In addition, a method (microfading) to rapidly identify photosensitive RP objects is being developed.
3D prints are entering museum collections as artists explore new creative possibilities. Similarly, museums realise the potential of Rapid Prototype (RP) technology for public engagement and conservation. Some polymeric RP materials have shown to be unstable, presenting an un-researched conservation challenge. The degradation mechanisms of RP polymers are investigated and the effectiveness of novel nanomaterials for plastics conservation assessed. In addition, a method (microfading) to rapidly identify photosensitive RP objects is being developed.
Partners
- Centre for Colloid and Surface Science, University of Florence
- Plowden and Smith Ltd
- National Museum of Denmark
Publications
C. Coon, Carolien, B. Pretzel, T. Lomax, M. Strlič: ‘Preserving Rapid Prototypes: A Review’, Heritage Science 4:40 (2016)
