A conservation scientist is a museum professional who works in the field of conservation science and whose focus is on the research of cultural heritage (e.g. art, artifacts, buildings, and monuments) through scientific inquiry. Conservation scientists conduct applied scientific research and techniques to determine the material, chemical, and technical aspects of cultural heritage. The technical information conservation scientists gather is then used by conservator and curators to decide the most suitable conservation treatments for the examined object and/or adds to our knowledge about the object by providing answers about the material composition, fabrication, authenticity, and previous restoration treatments.
Responsibilities and duties The main responsibility of a conservation scientist is to provide analytical and technical support for the preservation and restoration of cultural objects using scientific analysis and techniques.Whitmore, P. (Eds.). (2005). Conservation Science Research: Activities, Needs, and Funding Opportunities. (A Report to the National Science Foundation). Retrieved April 13, 2014. These tasks are accomplished primarily in four ways: 1.) the identification of materials and fabrication of an object, 2.) studying the degradation mechanisms of the objects, 3.) developing and testing conservation-restoration treatments, and 4.) developing and testing new analytical techniques and equipment. Each task is properly documented by conservation scientists with such information as composition, condition, history, and suggested treatments. Additionally, many of these tasks require conservation scientists to collaborate with other museum professionals and industrial/mainstream scientists in order to properly accomplish them, in particular with conservators and curators.
Identification
The identification of an object’s component materials is the most basic of conservation science tasks. This is typically accomplished using non-destructive examination techniques or, if necessary, destructive analytical techniques designed for small samples (see Instruments and uses). The information yielded about the object’s material composition aids in the development of preventive conservation measures- such as lighting and humidity controls-and the selection of appropriate restoration treatments. The analysis of materials can also lead to discoveries about the object’s origin and fabrication.Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (2013). Conservation Science. Retrieved April 13, 2014. Such studies, called technical art history, can provide insight into the time period of an object, its authenticity, the artist, and previous restoration treatments. In addition to leading to new interpretations, this information impacts the selection of treatments by conservators and conservation scientists.
Degradation Another key focus of conservation science is studying the degradation or deterioration mechanism of objects. Using chemical analysis, conservation scientists can determine the underlying material processes (i.e. aging and chemical reactions), risk factors, and environmental conditions causing the objects to degrade.The Getty Conservation Institute. (2013) Science Department. Retrieved April 13, 2104. This information can then be used by conservation scientists, in collaboration with conservators, to develop appropriate treatments for objects, in particular treatments that can provide long-term stability and preservation for the examined object.
Development of conservation-restoration treatments The continuing development of new conservation materials (e.g. cleaning solvents) and techniques is an essential aspect of the conservation of cultural heritage. This research ensures the continued existence of cultural heritage in the best condition possible considering their age and degradation. Conservators often rely on conservation scientists for their scientific knowledge and skills in the development of these materials and treatments. Conservation scientists are asked to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of current materials and treatments, to improve those material/techniques, and to devise new materials and techniques. The goal is to develop conservation treatments and materials that can slow the degradation of materials and further damage effectively and without harming the object.The Getty Conservation Institute. (2013) Science Department. Retrieved April 13, 2104.
Development of new analytical techniques and equipment In addition to developing conservation treatments and materials, conservation scientists collaborate with industrial scientists and instrument manufactures in the development of new analytical techniques and equipment.Indianapolis Museum of Art. (n.d.). Conservation Science. Retrieved April 13, 2014. Conservation scientists are constantly looking for and developing new techniques and instruments that improve the condition and treatment of objects. To this end, scientists are developing new techniques and instruments to: decrease and eliminate the need for sampling objects to minimize collateral damage, better analyze materials, document results, improve ease (e.g. portability), improve environmental monitoring.
Education In addition to their scientific responsibilities, conservation scientists have a duty to help educate new conservations scientists, the conservation field, and the public as part of their ethical code.(AIC. (1994). Core Documents: Code of Ethics. Retrieved April 21, 2014. To ensure the continuation and quality of their profession, conservation scientists are involved in the training of new conservation scientists as members in academic conservation departments, adjunct faculty, and as mentors to those in fellowships, internships, and entry-level jobs. Conservation scientists also help educate the conservation community at large by disseminating their research to promote the growth and use of the best conservation practices and materials. Lastly, conservation scientists educate the public about conservation science to promote awareness of about the field and its importance to the preservation of our cultural heritage.
Knowledge, abilities, and skills The basic knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by conservation scientists are: advance knowledge in a physical or applied science discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, material science, biology, engineering, and geology) basic knowledge of conservation and relevant humanities disciplines (e.g. art history, archaeology, anthropology, history, fine arts, etc.) critical thinking and creative problem solving the ability to formulate and carry out researchEPISCON. (1999). Bologna document . Retrieved April 21, 2014. experience using a broad range of analytical techniques and equipment (see Instrumentation and uses) the ability to collaborate and work in a team the ability to communicate effectively
Instrumentation and uses
Conservation scientists use a variety of microscopic, spectroscopic, chromatographic, and other scientific techniques and instruments to physically and chemically examine objects.Indianapolis Museum of Art. (n.d.). Instrumentation. Retrieved April 13, 2014. Non-destructive techniques are favored by conservation scientists so to preserve the originality, integrity, and current state of the object as much as possible. Such non-destructive methods include visual examination, advanced imaging techniques, and X-rays.Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (n.d.). Conservation Science. Retrieved April 19, 2014. Sometimes, sampling an object is unavoidable. In these cases, microscopic fragments are removed from the object- rarely visible to the naked eye- and their original location is documented. The scientific and ethical demands of a conservation scientist require a variety of instruments- taken from mainstream science and slightly modified- in order to conduct their research properly. Listed below are some of the most commonly used instruments in museum laboratories today and how they are used by conservation scientists.
Microscopic: Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR): Uses the infrared spectrum (IR) to identify the functional groups or covalent bonding information of an object.Oneida Research Services, Inc. (n.d.). Micro-FT-IR Spectroscopy . Retrieve April 19, 2014 In conservation science, it is an important technique for the identification of materials, in particular for classifying organic materials.Duffy, K. & Carlson, J. (2000). Science and Your Collection. In G. Landrey The Winterthur Guide to Caring for Your Collection. Winterthur, DE: Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum, Incorporated Microscopic samples can provide information on the chemistry of the various materials which comprise the object. Raman microspectroscopy: Uses vibrational spectroscopy methods to identify certain materials.Ocean Optics. (n.d.). Tools for Art Preservation and Analysis . Retrieved April 19, 2014. In conservation science, it is used to identify and characterize materials of objects such as amber, glass, glazed ceramics, pigments, and polymers.CAMEO. (2014). Raman spectroscopy. Retrieved April 19, 2014. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS): Uses an electronic beam to scan the surface of a sample, producing detailed images at a high magnification/resolution.University of Buffalo staff. (n.d.). SEM/EDS: Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis. Retrieved April 19, 2014. In conservation science, it is used to study the surface of an object and identify the materials present.National Museums, Liverpool. (n.d.). Scanning electron microscopy. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
Spectrometric: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy: Uses an X-ray beam on the surface of an object which produces a characteristic fluorescence X-ray of the elements present. A non-destructive technique, it is used in conservation science to identify the elemental and chemical content of the materials present in the examined area. Chromatography: A set of laboratory techniques used to separate mixtures of compounds.CAMEO. (2014). Chromatography. Retrieved April 19, 2014. Several of the techniques are extremely adept in the positive identification of organic materials. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) Combines liquid chromatography (which uses liquid "to separate complex mixtures of organic materials into their individual chemical components") and mass spectrometry. The combination provides a detailed identification of the components in the examined material. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): Combines gas chromatography (which uses gas "to separate complex mixtures of organic materials into their individual chemical components") and mass spectrometry. The combination provides a detailed identification of the components in an object at the low parts per billion level.CAMEO. (2014).Gas chromatography. Retrieved April 19, 2014. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS): Combines gas chromatography and mass spectrometry on a heated sample. The heat decomposes the sample, producing smaller molecules to be separated by the gas chromatography and detected by the mass spectrometry. The technical is useful in the identification of synthetic polymeric media.National Gallery of Art. (n.d.). Conservation: Scientific Research: Glossary of Terms and Techniques. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
Others: X-Radiography: An imaging technique that uses high energy radiation (X-rays) to view the internal structure of an object's component materials that differ in densities. The technique is used in conservation science to examine the structural makeup of objects and identify cracks, manufacturing clues, etc. that are not visible to the naked eye.National Museums, Liverpool. (n.d.). X-radiography. Retrieved April 19, 2014.