Vinod Daniel

The feasibility of using modified atmospheres to control insect pests in museums

This series presents current research being conducted under the auspices of the Getty Conservation Institute.Nontoxic approaches to insect control provide safety to both the artifact and the museum professional.

The Use of Monitoring as a Decision-Making Tool in the Mawson’s Huts Historic Site Conservation Management Plan and the Results of Monitoring for the Period 1999-2002

Abstract Mawson’s Huts, a symbol of Australia’s historic past, comprises a group of four historic hut structures and other relics associated with the 1911-14 Australian Antarctic Expedition located at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica. The paper will describe the background to and process of developing a conservation management plan (CMP) for the site and the inclusion of monitoring as a key element in conservation policy identified in the CMP. Specifically, monitoring is used as a tool to assist decision making in relation to the removal of ice inside Mawson’s Hut and the management of snow ingress. This paper will highlight many wider issues and problems in decision making in a remote location, as well as the different views of stakeholders. This paper also will highlight issues that are important for the practical implementation of standards or guidelines and the need for an agreed understandable outcome. This paper also briefly describes the data collection methodology and analysis of an extensive temperature and relative humidity monitoring program in Mawson’s Hut.

Hygrometric Half-lives of Museum Cases

The moisture-buffering capability of four types of museum cases, Solander boxes, portfolio boxes, archival document cases and music boxes, was evaluated. An expression for hygrometric half-life was derived and the half-lives were compared with high, as well as low ambient relative humidity for the four types of cases in terms of their materials of construction and closure characteristics

The Moisture Buffering Capability of Museum Cases

Hygrometric half-lives and air exchange rates of four commonly used types of museum cases: Solander boxes, portfolio boxes, music boxes, and document boxes were measured. This paper will present the experimental results and illustrate the effect of the construction materials and closure characteristics on the moisture buffering capability of museum cases.

Biodeterioration of in situ displays: case study of an archaeological trench at the Museum of Sydney

The remains of the first Government House have been displayed as part of the Museum of Sydney s exhibits and provided an opportunity to monitor and understand the moisture movement and behaviour in such displays. The trench schematically shown in Figure I has been displayed in a sealed display case with the top surface exposed and the bottom surface still connected to the ground. The sides of the trenches have not been sealed, providing a source for air movement and moisture migration.

A new oxygen absorber—RP system: mortality and use

It is always preferable to avoid an insect problem rather than to deal with it once a problem occurs . An overall integrated pest management (IPM) approach will be the best alternative. An IPM program does not depend solely on pesticides to prevent or control insect problems, but instead involves the implementation of a number of measures including: • physical control : the alteration of the environment by physical means making it hostile or inaccessible to pests. For example, insect screens seal around doors . • cultural control: the manipulation of the pests environment to make it less favourable. This can include relative humidity and temperature control, good housekeeping, etc. • chemical control: appropriate selection and least harmful application of pesticides. • monitoring and evaluation of the program.