The invention is an electro-spun non-woven fabric, coupled with solvent, effective in removing synthetic and natural cotings and varnishes from works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, archaeological finds, cinematographic film.
| Patent title | Method for cleaning surfaces of historical and artistic interest |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Bioeconomy, Agriculture and Environment |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Francesca Ramacciotti, Silvia Prati, Giorgia Sciutto, Chiara Gualandi, Maria Letizia Focarete, Rocco Mazzeo |
| Protection | Italy, with the possibility to extend internationally |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, option, license and other exploitation agreements |
| Keywords | Electrospinning, cleaning, restoration, cultural heritage, paint removal, resins, conservation, solvents, paintings |
| Filed on | 30 July 2021 |
The most used materials in cleaning works of art are cotton swabs, soaked in a solvent capable of dissolving or swelling the layer of paint to be removed. The operator uses them to mechanically remove the paint previously softened by the interaction with the solvent.
This operation requires time, a great deal of attention on the part of the operator, who must arbitrarily dose the amount of solvent. Furthermore, this method often does not allow to obtain a complete removal of the paint, usually making it necessary to repeat the action by applying mechanical stress to the surface and using high amounts of solvent. It also exposes the operator to the vapors of solvents, even toxic ones, for prolonged times.
Gels can also be used, which allow a more controlled and superficial application of the solvent, but are not able to completely remove the paint in a single application and therefore repeated actions are often necessary.
This method relies on a non-woven fabric for a controlled release of a solvent targeted to be cleaned sensitive surfaces and cultural heritage. The restorer simply places the fabric on the surface to be treated, making it adhere and waiting for a few minutes: in this way the solvent interacts with the layer to be removed, it swells and is incorporated into the fabric itself. At the end of this process, the restorer removes the non-woven fabric from the surface, which remains free of paint without residues.
The main application is the restoration of cultural heritage assets, such as paintings, sculpture, archaeological finds, archival material or cinematographic films.
The advantages are:
- Less use of solvent, with consequent economic and environmental benefits.
- Simplification and effectiveness of the cleaning system.
- Reduction of the risk of damage to the cultural / artistic asset.
- Limited exposure to solvents.
- Elimination of mechanical actions that could damage the surface of the work of art.
- Controlled release of the solvent which will interact only with the layer to be removed