Stephan Kröner

Study of behaviour on simulated daylight ageing of artists’ acrylic and poly(vinyl acetate) paint films

AbstractThis work proposes a multi-method approach that combines advanced microscopy (SEM/EDX, AFM) and spectroscopy (UV-vis and FTIR) techniques. This approach not only characterises the behaviour of the additives of two commercial poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and acrylic emulsion paints but also simultaneously characterises the changes in chemical composition and morphology observed in the paint films as a result of ageing due to the paints being exposed to an intense source of simulated daylight. In parallel, a series of mechanical tests were performed that correlate the chemical changes in composition and the changes observed in the films’ mechanical properties. This work was a comparative study between both types of acrylic and PVAc paints. The results obtained are of great interest for the modern paint conservation field as they provide valuable information on the mid- and long-term behaviours of these synthetic paints. FigureTensile test of phthalocianyne blue Liquitex® paint film

Influence of substrate pore size distribution, poultice type, and application technique on the desalination of medium-porous stones

This paper studies the influence of poultice type and application techniques on the desalination efficiency of two limestone substrates having similar porosities (22–25%) but different pore size distributions: microporous Bateig Novelda and macro porous Tosca Rocafort stones. Three poultice types are compared: pure sepiolite (fine porous), sepiolite and aggregate (medium porous), and pure cellulose powder (coarse porous). Four application techniques are studied: (i) direct application on the stone, (ii) pre-wetting before poultice application, (iii) Japanese paper before application, and (iv) pre-wetting + Japanese paper before application. Samples were taken from poultices on the one hand, and from substrates at different depths on the other hand. Their content in soluble salts was estimated by ionic conductivity measurements. After three application runs, the best result for both substrates is achieved with the combined application of coarse- and fine-porous poultices (FPs) (desalination depth: 4.5/6 cm for macro/micro-porous substrates). The FP is also able to extract salts properly, but the desalination depth achieved is less important (3 cm). A direct poultice application without pre-wetting nor Japanese paper is to be preferred for both stone types.

Distributed System Integration Driven by Tests

In complex distributed systems, the integration phase implies a lot of actions due to it is necessary to know how a component interacts with others. Usually, in the system design phase, modules are defined in a hierarchy in order to be easily integrated based on direct dependencies between the modules. That implies a sequential process of integration. In order to accelerate the integration process, agile-inspired integration method has been designed. The method is based in the moment that a unitary test of a component is passed, the dependencies can be started to be tested. The method has been applied in an intelligent system implemented in an indoor drone. First results show that the integration process based on this method is really accelerated, but the coordination between partners and the communication channels have a lot of influence to achieve the process with some minimum quality.

Innovative Strategies for the European SMEs: AiRT Project Main Remarks

The aim of this chapter is to summarise the main achievements of AiRT project, that have been presented in this book, and to provide thought-provoking impulses on the bases of our experiences as well to the IT companies as to CIs to “think outside of the box”. By doing so, we demonstrated that both the areas of IT innovation and creative companies can benefit mutually. In fact, we are of the opinion that big part of “real” innovation can only be achieved by transferring knowledge between different sectors and adapting the corresponding technology or approaches to the needs of the demanding sectors. This requires inevitable inter-/or transdisciplinary teams that arise out of given circumstances, which might be composed of just a few experts from different sectors working together on a common goal.