X-ray
Disinfecting paper-based cultural heritage objects using gamma rays is not recommended on account of its destructive effect on cellulose.
Factsheet
- Schools involved Bern Academy of the Arts
- Institute(s) Institute Materiality in Art and Culture
- Research unit(s) Conservation Techniques
- Funding organisation Innosuisse
- Duration 01.03.2017 - 30.11.2018
- Head of project Cornelius Palmbach
Course of action
Empirical observations indicate that hard X-ray radiation is less destructive to cellulose. The aim of this project is to determine if, and under what conditions, X-ray radiation might be an appropriate method to disinfect paper-based cultural artefacts. To this end, the dose of X-ray radiation will be reduced to a minimum, and its effect on moulds and its degrading impact on cellulose will be examined.
