http://www.theanalyticalscientist.comFeature ^23
in samples needed for analysis, which is critical in art analysis.
Another example of an ambient MS technique introduced in
the field of cultural heritage is direct analysis in real time MS
(DART-MS). Alba Alvarez-Martin (Smithsonian Museum,
Washington DC, USA) was the first to use an enclosed solid-phase
microextraction DART-MS interface to identify specific volatile
organic compounds that are hazardous to museum objects. She has
also used this setup to identify the breakdown products and effects
of mixed inorganic pigments on eosin degradation in oil paints.
Mix it up
Considering the complexity and often severe degradation state
of cultural heritage objects, we should not rely on one analytical
platform or one technology, but explore and combine multiple
techniques and analytical strategies that give complementary
information. Innovative techniques suitable for the analysis
of complex samples and fragile molecules in both liquid and
solid form are becoming available and progress is being made
in speeding up and simplifying the entire analytical workflow.
However, one unmet need is smart, automated data analysis
tools for faster data interpretation and I hope to see advances
in the is arena in the near future.
A final thought: my work focuses on translating technological
advances in other fields to cultural artifacts, but it’s also true that
the knowledge and insight gained by studying complex materials
within the cultural heritage field are valuable for scientific progress
elsewhere. Many of the processes studied – including degradation
mechanisms of organic colorants, lipids and fatty acids oxidation,
polymerization processes, protein analysis and molecular
interactions – are of fundamental interest for environmental and
food research, polymer science and biochemistryClockwise from left: Paint swatches from the
RCE reference collection; SAWN power source
and android controller; SAWN-MS.