Today we looked into new materials. We saw a new type of glass that can be formed at room temperature instead of the extremely high temperatures needed to melt sand. By mixing two substances (one of which was called Sol gel) a goo can be made which then can be dried into glass. This allows living things to be preserved in it.
We also saw solar cell research. Because today’s solar panels are so expensive, a new and cheaper method is needed. What we saw was much cheaper but did not last for more than an hour out in the sun. Much research is still needed until these panels can be a reality.
Our guest speaker was from The Getty Center and talked about conservation on the paintings. New instruments are constantly being created to measure various things from the paintings without damaging them. Using radiation the layers of the painting can even be looked at. In some paintings a whole different picture could be found under the visible one which would never be seen without this technology.
Sometimes painting need to be restored because they were not kept in ideal conditions. It is hard to decide to restore a painting because of the potential for damage, but as the technology moves forward the choice becomes easier and easier. Priceless works at supposed to be kept in oxygen free containers with a small amount of light shining on them. I have been to the Hermitage is Russia where the art was kept in open air containers, light from outside shining in through open windows.
http://otherpower.com/otherpower_solar_new.html
http://www.getty.edu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol-gel
http://www.solgel.com/
http://www.lifeonthewall.com/