Interdisciplinary Research to Advance Digital Imagery and Natural Compounds for Eco-Cleaning and for Preserving Textile Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The old fibers that make up heritage textiles displayed in museums are degraded by the aging process, environmental conditions (microclimates, particulate matter, pollutants, sunlight) and the action of microorganisms. In order to counteract these processes and keep the textile exhibits in good condition for as long as possible, both reactive and preventive interventions on them are necessary. Based on these ideas, the present study aims to test a natural and non-invasive method of cleaning historic textiles, which includes the use of a natural substance with a known antifungal effect (being traditionally used in various rural communities)—lye. The design of the study was aimed at examining a traditional women’s shirt that is aged between 80–100 years, using artificial intelligence techniques for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imagery analysis and X-Ray powder diffraction technique in order to achieve a complex and accurate investigation and monitoring of the object’s realities. The determinations were performed both before and after washing the material with lye. SEM microscopy investigations of the ecologically washed textile specimens showed that the number of microorganism colonies, as well as the amount of dust, decreased. It was also observed that the surface cellulose fibers lost their integrity, eventually being loosened on cellulose fibers of cotton threads. This could better visualize the presence of microfibrils that connect the cellulose fibers in cotton textiles. The results obtained could be of real value both for the restorers, the textile collections of the different museums, and for the researchers in the field of cultural heritage. By applying such a methodology, cotton tests can be effectively cleaned without compromising the integrity of the material.

Formation of Hydrophobic–Hydrophilic Associates in the N-Vinylpyrrolidone and Vinyl Propyl Ether Copolymer Aqueous Solutions

“…This conjecture harmoniously aligns with the findings of [38], which underscored the societal analogy to a neural network-a proposition further bolstered by mathematical models [39,40]. The outcomes delineated in [33], forming the foundation upon which polymer solutions may similarly be regarded as neural network analogues, complement the postulates set forth in [37][38][39]41]. Evidently, the inference can be drawn that intricate systems spanning a spectrum of diverse realms (in the philosophical sense of the term [42]) can be construed as akin to neural networks.…”

Effect of the Formation of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic–Hydrophilic Associates on the Behavior of Copolymers of N-Vinylpyrrolidone with Methyl Acrylate in Aqueous Solutions

“…This conclusion correlates with the results presented in Figure 5 . The presence of two minima of dependences , in accordance with the results of [ 25 , 36 ], indicates that along with classical PKI in the system under consideration, HIAs are also formed. The most effective COE formation takes place in the area corresponding to and HIA formation in the area corresponding to .…”

“…It was also proposed to use phase transitions, which are expressed in in the form of sharp solution turbidity, for the creation of information display systems [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Currently, this issue is being actualized in connection with attempts to achieve optical neural networks with controlled characteristics of optical elements [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Extraction of platinum group metals from catalytic converters

“…In contrast to other metals, there exists a comparatively limited literature addressing the beneficiation of platinum group metal ores [ [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] ]. Nonetheless, specific scientists have made noteworthy contributions to the exploration of PGM ore beneficiation [ [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] , [71] , [72] , [73] ].…”