Illuminating the Imperceptible, Researching Mina’i Ceramics with Digital Imaging Techniques

Mina’i ceramics dating to the late 12th and early 13th century made in the Kashan region of Iran represent a novel period of overglaze enamelling technology in ceramic history. New colours were used to produce stylistically attractive and dynamic polychrome motifs. Due to their archaeological context, and popularity in the art market since the mid-20th century, these objects often have complex conditions involving reconstruction and overpainting. The aesthetic and technological significance of these pieces warrants further study, but in practice, removing restorations can lead to structural destabilisation, requiring time-consuming and potentially unplanned for conservation treatment. To determine if it is possible to gain useful information from the study of these artworks without disturbing existing restorations, a group of objects were drawn from the Sarikhani and Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology collections. The objective of this project was twofold, first to assess the merits of the imaging techniques for understanding condition, and second to propose a protocol for imaging with the aim of encouraging collaborative projects with international partners. The techniques used in this study include digital photography under visible and ultraviolet light, infrared reflectography, and radiography. The results show that important information invisible to the naked eye can be obtained about the decorative surfaces, using ultraviolet light and infrared reflectography. Digital radiography proved to be equally effective when studying the condition of the ceramic body. The results of this project were used to produce guidance on these techniques as a collaborative documentation package for the study of Mina’i ceramics.

Automatic structural analysis of bioinspired percolating network materials using graph theory

Mimicking numerous biological membranes and nanofiber-based tissues, there are multiple materials that are structured as percolating nanoscale networks (PPNs). They reveal unique combination of properties and the family of PNN-based composites and nanoporous materials is rapidly expanding. Their technological significance requires a unifying approach for their structural description. However, their complex aperiodic architectures are difficult to describe using traditional methods that are tailored for crystals. A related problem is the lack of computational tools that enable one to capture and enumerate the patterns of stochastically branching fibrils that are typical for these composites. Here, we describe a conceptual methodology and a computational package, StructuralGT, to automatically produce a graph theoretical (GT) description of PNNs from various micrographs. Using nanoscale networks formed by aramid nanofibers (ANFs) as examples, we demonstrate structural analysis of PNNs with 13 GT parameters. Unlike qualitative assessments of physical features employed previously, StructuralGT allows quantitative description of the complex structural attributes of PNNs enumerating the network morphology, connectivity, and transfer patterns. Accurate conversion and analysis of micrographs is possible for various levels of noise, contrast, focus, and magnification while a dedicated graphical user interface provides accessibility and clarity. The GT parameters are expected to be correlated to material properties of PNNs (e.g. ion transport, conductivity, stiffness) and utilized by machine learning tools for effectual materials design.

Programmable photoresponsive materials based on a single molecule via distinct topochemical reactions

Engineering the preorganization of photoactive units remains a big challenge in solid-state photochemistry research. It is of not only theoretical importance in construction of topochemical reactions but also technological significance...

Exploring the Broad Spectrum: Vegetal Inclusions in Early Neolithic Eastern Balkan Pottery

Why was “chaff temper” used in pottery production? The possible reasoning behind the practice of intentionally adding organic matter (various plant parts and plant-containing materials) to the clay paste when making pottery is explored by studying four Early Neolithic open settlements. Located in contrasting regions, northwest and southwest Bulgaria, they have contrasting geological settings, altitude, climate, and “pottery styles.” Ceramic fragments containing vegetal remains (charred, semi-charred parts, imprints, and phytoliths) found both on the surface of the vessels and within the body clay are studied in hand specimens, thin-sections and by using scanning electron microscopy. Whether the addition of “organic temper” was an actual functional prerequisite (e.g. caused by technological limitations of the local clays, the vessels’ use, etc.), and how to interpret the variable contents and types of vegetal remains within the clay fabrics, are the main questions discussed within a broader context. The observed variability raises awareness of a series of potential biases when interpreting vegetal remains in Early Neolithic Southeast European pottery. This study not only tackles the interrelation between two major Early Neolithic cycles – ceramic technology and agriculture – but also reveals the potential to examine the synergies between specifically technological, agricultural, and environmental study aspects. It demonstrates the intrinsically intertwined crafts and husbandry activities, technological landscapes, decision-making strategies, and subsistence patterns, all within site-specific environment. It also frames a debate on such inclusions’ strictly technological significance, their role as a cultural factor embodied in social behaviour, or completely accidental presence in the clay fabrics, and a whole spectrum in between.

Ferroelectric properties and Raman spectroscopy of the [(C4H9)4N]3Bi2Cl9 compound

The exploration of ferroelectric hybrid materials is highly appealing due to their great technological significance.

Electrochemical deposition of carbon nanotubes from CO2in CaCl2–NaCl-based melts

As part of the efforts to address global climate change, the identification of methods for the capture of carbon dioxide and its selective electrochemical conversion into value-added carbonaceous materials in molten salt electrolytes is a research topic of scientific and technological significance.