A lot of care and proper planning is involved when valuable paintings are shipped or loaned to museums via long distances. Despite the utmost care, the safety for the paintings is often endangered as adhesives and other chemicals within the crates sometimes break down. This causes fumes, which lead to damaging the paintings. However, in order to provide better safety, scientists at the Frauhnofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Wurzburg, Germany have developed new sensors.

These sensors detect the dangerous substances and protect the paintings from any damage. Interestingly, cases made of wood, plastic, glass to protect the paintings emit damaging substance like acetic acid. This reacts with the oil plant, which gradually degrades the piece of work. The paintings too emit pollutant gases, which are built up inside the case.

The same problem is also seen in the paintings, which are displayed in an enclosed and climate controlled showcase. One of the sensors used by these scientists to tackle this problem is a glass dosimeter, which is sensitive to the presence of acids. There takes place a natural process. First, the acid attacks the surface of the glass and gradually erodes it.

A reaction layer starts to form after a few days followed by crystalline products that appears after a few weeks. The new sensors detect atmospheric pollutants that produce nitrogen and sulfuric oxides inside the showcases. The sensors help the scientists to build zero-emission showcases that will contribute in safeguarding the paintings substantially.

Via: GizMag