Chair of Analytical Chemistry of the above Faculty is active in all major fields of chemical analysis, including chromatography, spectroscopy, electroanalytical techniques, flow-injection analysis and separations in continuous flow system, bioelectroanalytical chemistry, and others. The wide range of analytical expertise has lately expanded to the area of polymer analysis, particularly cellulose.
 

DEVELOPMENTS in electronics and instrumentation include construction and automatisation of electrochemical instruments, e.g. potentiostats, polarographs, automated cyanide analyser. Apart from Papylum, international projects on the related topics include Eureka Laclepa Laser Cleaning of Paper and Parchment (1998-2001), Eureka Relast Laser Renovation Of Monuments And Art Works (2002-), and 5th Framework projects InkCor (2002-),  and MIP Metals in Paper.  Recent developments in cellulose chemistry include stabilisation of iron in paper, application of thermochemiluminescence to the studies of cellulose degradation, testing of antioxidants with model substances and in real systems, studies on size exclusion chromatography of cellulose and determination of low-molecular-weight degradation products. This research is done with the intention to develop effective paper conservation treatments, and is a result of intense cooperation with the Preservation Department of the National and University Library of Slovenia. Since an important part of our work is education, we strive to include the latest research into our curriculum.
 

Bratislava, Slovakia

The Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is a state institution that was established in 1967 from Laboratory of Polymers, which was founded in 1963.
 

OUR RESEARCH is focused on intentional and spontaneous structural changes in polymers in relation to their properties. Research projects are focused on modification of polymers by introduction of functional groups, inorganic and organic additives, grafting, cross-linking, heat and light stabilisation of polymers, on mechanism of emulsion polymerisation and supports for liquids chromatography. The thermodynamics of polymeric systems, conformation and mobility of polymer chains of synthetic polymers and biopolymers is also investigated. New chromatographic separation and characterization techniques for complex polymer systems are being developed. The Institute is manufacturing the extremely sensitive chemiluminescence instruments - Lumipol, for the detection of the extent of oxidation of organic materials. The possibility given by the Papylum Project to design and manufacture the chemiluminescence instrument for non-destructive testing of remaining service life of historical artefacts based on paper, exposed to different humidity, oxygen concentration and temperature is an important upgrade of the construction and research program of the Institute enabling to enlarge the research of the effect of above parameters not only on paper based materials but also on other industrially produced and natural polymers.
 

The Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage (ICN) is a government institution dedicated to the management and the preservation of moveable cultural heritage.
 

IT PROVIDES CONSULTANCY on collection and cultural management, carries out conservation research, trains conservators, and organises regular courses to conservators and employees of other institutions dealing with collection management. The ICN is the keeper of the state collection. This combination of consultancy, research, education and collection management in a single institute makes the ICN a unique institution, not only in the Netherlands but also abroad. The ICN is part of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. A major outcome expected from the Papylum Project is the development of a non-destructive tool to assess the rate of oxidative decay of paper-based library, archive, and museum artefacts. Diagnosis of the material condition of cultural heritage objects is an important aspect to their preservation since it is useful for identifying unstable/degraded objects or collections, as well as to evaluate the effects of conservation measures.

National and University Library of Slovenia is the principal Slovenian library housing the most important collection of old manuscripts and prints in Slovenia.
 

THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH at the Conservation department aims to support library preservation, particularly in the frame of international projects, such as Eureka Laclepa Laser Cleaning of Paper and Parchment (1998-2001), Eureka Relast Laser Renovation Of Monuments And Art Works (2002-), and 5th Framework projects InkCor (2002-),  and MIP Metals in Paper. Research topics focus on factors affecting paper permanence, including deacidification and addition of antioxidants, evaluation of accelerated ageing test methods, sources of yellowing of paper upon ageing and its relation to paper degradation, effects of laser treatment on the stability of paper, and other topics concerning the preservation of paper-based library materials. The Conservation department is equipped with the instrumentation for paper analysis, i.e. equipment for accelerated heat and light ageing of materials, viscometry, brightness/colour determination, etc. and closely co-operates with the Chair of Analytical Chemistry of the University of Ljubljana and Pulp and Paper Institute of Ljubljana.
 

CNEP is a leading French institute in the area of photooxidation of polymers.
 

CNEP SPENDS 15% of its activity studying materials used in conservation and restoration of works of art, particularly on paper. CNEP developed a new approach based on chemical evolution of organic materials to explain the degradation of their mechanical properties. The Papylum Project is a continuation of a research project conducted in collaboration with Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Papylum Project is a way for us to detail our knowledge on the mechanism of degradation of paper.
 

Fifth Framework Programme

Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development

Key Action The City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage