Added value of synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-tomography of paint samples

Abstract
The Swiss Institute for Art Research in collaboration with the TOMCAT beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute has been exploring since 2008 Synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-tomography as a research tool in the characterization of different properties of painting and the study of paint degradation phenomena. The technique will be introduced and illustrated with some case studies.

CV
Ester S.B. Ferreira studied Applied Chemistry-Organic Chemistry at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal and Conservation Science at DeMontfort University, England. Her PhD research at the University of Edinburgh and the National Museums of Scotland focused on New Approaches towards the identification of yellow dyes in Ancient textiles using LC and LC-MS. In 2003 she joined the Molecular Paintings Studies group at the FOM Institute AMOLF, in Amsterdam, as a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study of binding media chemistry. Since August 2006 she is the Head of the Analytical Laboratory at SIK-ISEA, Zürich. Current research interests include the exploration of new techniques in the study of painting chemistry and physical properties, gradient formation and material mobility within paint system with a strong focus on the composition and reactivity in paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.