Research

Main objective of the research programme

The scientific objective of UNCHANGE is to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms, both micro and macro-scale that cause changes in CH objects. It aims to establish clear links between their physical and chemical causes and the resulting changes in structure and appearance. By thoroughly explaining these causal relationships, the project seeks to enable modeling, visualization, and even pre-visualization of change processes. This knowledge will ultimately help develop powerful tools for researchers and conservation experts, enhancing their ability to diagnose, interpret, and predict material changes transformations.

To achieve the main objective, the project is structured into four sets of scientific work packages, each with specific objectives as presented below:

Measure, assess and monitor change

Develop non-invasive, multimodal, multiscale and multitemporal acquisition strategies to measure, qualify and monitor change in CH objects, with a focus on appearance and its underlying structural and chemical correlates. Acquisition strategies will be adapted to material classes and linked to the causes and mechanisms of change identified in O2.

Understand and explain the
mechanisms of change

Investigate physical, chemical and mechanical degradation pathways using advanced imaging, analytical chemistry and data science. Identify and validate spectral, structural and morphological markers that connect micro-scale mechanisms to their macro-scale manifestations in appearance and material integrity.

Visualize change

Develop computational and AI-based tools to visualise, simulate and previsualise change, combining physics-based models and generative approaches. Integrate these predictive capabilities into dynamic Heritage Digital Twins supporting analysis, conservation decision-making and scenario exploration.scenarios.

DCs individual research projects

Each doctoral candidate has an individual research project. You can find them by clicking here