Identification of Coatings on Persian Lacquer Papier Mache Penboxes by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Luminescence Imaging

In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and luminescence imaging were used to identify the coatings of seven Persian lacquer papier mache penboxes, of which two were contemporary, one was from the Pahlavi era, and four belonged to the Qajar era. First, FTIR was used to identify the nature of the coating. Then, visible-induced luminescence imaging at the spectral ranges of 420–680 nm (UVL), 425–495 nm (UVIBL), and 615–645 nm (UVIRL) was performed for further examination. The FTIR results showed that the coatings were made of alkyd resin, oil-resin varnish (Kaman oil), and shellac. In visible-induced luminescence images, synthetic alkyd resin showed no fluorescence, which made it distinguishable from the natural organic coatings. While it is slightly challenging to differentiate Kaman oil from shellac based on FTIR results, these two coatings can be easily distinguished by their fluorescence in UVL and UVIBL images. The results suggest that the combined use of spectroscopy and spectral imaging methods can provide substantial information about the organic coatings of historical objects.

Dual-Luminescence Imaging and Particle Tracking Velocimetry for Simultaneous Temperature and Velocity Field Measurements in Hydrocarbons Liquid

Arctic oil spills are particularly detrimental as they could cause extensive ice melting in addition to the environmental pollution they create. Floating oil slicks amongst ice floes absorb ambient energy and transfer that energy to the ice to aggravate melting in the thaw season. However, few studies have been undertaken to reveal how oil-ice interactions impact ice melting. This research employs a measurement technique to investigate the heat transfer pathways from oil slicks to the ice. Dual-luminescence imaging and particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) in a side cooled cavity is performed for temperature and velocity measurements of Toluene, respectively. Dual-luminescence imaging captured the spatial temperature distribution of the fuel. Consecutive imaging of the seeding particles in PIV provided the spatial velocity field of the fuel in the cavity. The results show that the convective field is directly coupled with the temperature field, i.e., the temperature difference instigates a flow in the liquid. Successful implementation of the two measuring techniques together is a step toward analyzing heat transfer pathways in a liquid fuel adjacent to an ice body, indicating the extent of melting.

A Review of Recent and Emerging Approaches for the Clinical Application of Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging

Cerenkov luminescence is a blue-weighted emission of light produced by a vast array of clinically approved radioisotopes and LINAC accelerators. When β particles (emitted during the decay of radioisotopes) are present in a medium such as water or tissue, they are able to travel faster than the speed of light in that medium and in doing so polarize the molecules around them. Once the particle has left the local area, the polarized molecules relax and return to their baseline state releasing the additional energy as light (luminescence). This blue glow has commonly been used to determine the output of nuclear power plant cores and, in recent years, has found traction in the preclinical and clinical imaging field. This brief review will discuss the technology which has enabled the emergence of the biomedical Cerenkov imaging field, recent pre-clinical studies with potential clinical translation of Cerenkov luminescence imaging and the current clinical implementations of the method. Finally, an outlook is given as to the direction in which the field is heading.