Foreword

This booklet is intended as an introductory textbook for students and end-users interested in knowing more about the exciting developments in this high-tech area of conservation and conservation science. Their teachers are invited to use the texts and photographic materials for educational purposes, while the conservation scientist might appreciate the short reviews of applications and of the science underlying the described processes.

The booklet is available as a hard copy in combination with a CD and a book as official COST publications and on-line. Both can be used free of charge. Please read the disclaimers below before using any materials from this webpage.

We thank the COST G7 action coordinator Renzo Salimbeni and all the enthusiastic authors for their unlimited support in this project.

Manfred Schreiner Institute of Science and Technology in Art Academy of Fine Arts A-1010 Vienna Schillerplatz 3 Austria

Matija Strlič University College London Centre for Sustainable Heritage The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies Gower Street London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom

Legal Notice by the COST Office

Neither the COST Office nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use which might be made of the information contained in the publication. The COST Office is not responsible for the external websites referred to in this publication.

Copyright disclaimer and legal notice

This booklet, available on-line or on CD, is an official publication of the COST office. The work is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not represent the opinion of the Office. The Office is not responsible for any use that might be made of the data appearing herein. The authors of Chapters are the sole copyright owners of Chapter texts and associated photographic materials unless otherwise indicated. The users are free to use all such material for teaching purposes if the source is acknowledged and if the author grants permission.