About the Project
Nearly all museums, libraries and archives include plastics in their collections. Although they are often among the most recently acquired items in a collection, plastic objects can be the least stable, with many objects showing evidence of degradation within 5-25 years of acquisition.
One of the most important degradation processes observed in certain plastic artefacts is loss of plasticisers, which were added to the material to improve its properties, but that are often not designed for long term preservation. Over time, plasticiser can migrate to the surface of an object and into the surrounding environment, increased brittleness, distortion, and an increased risk of damage such as cracking. Damage related to plasticiser loss is a particular problem for cellulose acetate (CA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), historically plasticized with phthalates, and prevalent in collections worldwide.
However, the dynamics of this process are not well understood. Research is needed, firstly, to assess the dependence of plasticizer migration on environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). Secondly, a systematic investigation is needed in order to understand the relationship between material properties (shape, plasticizer concentration, crystallinity) and the rate of plasticizer loss.
This exciting project aims to answer these questions. The dynamics of degradation of PVC and CA will be investigated using a combination of novel experimental techniques. Plasticizer concentrations will be tracked using hyperspectral imaging, and the resulting deformation will be measured using digital image correlation, amongst other techniques. By exploring the relationships between degradation and environmental parameters, this research will provide crucial evidence that will inform preventive conservation and storage conditions.
The project will be supervised by the Institute for Sustainable Heritage in University College London (Dr. Josep Grau-Bové and Dr. Katherine Curran), the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (Dr. Odile Madden) and Dow Chemical (Dr. Michael Petr). The candidate will have the opportunity to work both in the Heritage Science Laboratory in UCL and in the Smithsonian Institute.
This project is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology at University College London, University of Oxford and University of Brighton. As a SEAHA student, you will have unparalleled access to research infrastructure and expertise across three universities and more than 50 heritage, research and industrial partners. In addition to the university doctoral training requirements, SEAHA students take part in an exciting range of cohort activities, ranging from residential events and group projects, to conferences and careers events.
Please visit the SEAHA website (www.seaha-cdt.ac.uk) for details.
For full details on how to apply, please click on the project advert here:
http://www.seaha-cdt.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Website-Full-Advert.pdf
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION:
Applications should be sent directly by email to the SEAHA Centre Manager:
[Email Address Removed]
Application deadline: 1st of July 2016.
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Funding Notes
The SEAHA Studentship will cover home fees plus an enhanced stipend of up to £17,690 per year (TBC at point of offer) for eligible applicants (View Website), as well as a substantial budget for research, travel, and cohort activities. The award will be subject to a Grant Agreement between University College London, Smithsonian Museums Conservation Institute and Dow Chemical.
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