Restoration of the silhouette “Emperor Nicholas I and the Cadet Bubnov”

В статье представлено описание реставрации силуэта «Император Николай I и кадет Бубнов», переданного наряду с другими силуэтами в лабораторию научной реставрации графики из отдела истории русской культуры Государственного Эрмитажа. Композиция предмета состоит из бумажного силуэта в рамке золотого цвета, наклеенного на черный глянцевый фон, бумажную и картонную подложки. Данный силуэт передан в реставрацию из-за повреждений, имеющих тенденцию к развитию и неблагоприятных как для состояния сохранности бумаги-основы, так и для красочных слоев. Исследования бумаги позволили выявить визуально незаметный слой свинцовых белил на поверхности силуэта. В процессе реставрации была открыта исторически значимая надпись «Подарок Мейбаумъ 4. 28 августа 1835». Мы можем предположить, что надпись указывает на автора силуэта, воспитанника Первого кадетского корпуса Мейбаума, либо на его родственника, подарившего силуэт. С каждым элементом предмета проведены реставрационные мероприятия. Основная часть работ выполнена над бумажным силуэтом, имеющим не только пятна, но и разрывы вследствие деформации бумажной основы и картона. Особенностями оформления композиции после реставрации является инкапсулирование силуэта в полиэфирную пленку, предотвращающую взаимодействие свинцовых белил с воздухом, и крепление всех элементов конструкции по верхнему краю. После реставрации сохранен авторский замысел: инкапсулированный силуэт на черном глянцевом фоне, окаймленный рамкой золотого цвета, крепится к бумажной подложке. The article presents a description of the restoration of the silhouette “Emperor Nicholas I and the Cadet Bubnov” which was transferred along with other silhouettes to the Laboratory for Scientific Restoration of Graphics from the Department of the History of Russian Culture of the State Hermitage Museum. The composition of the subject consists of a paper silhouette in a gold frame, pasted on a glossy black background, paper and cardboard backings. This silhouette was handed over for restoration due to damages that tended to develop and were unfavorable both for the state of preservation of the base paper and for the paint layers. The paper studies made it possible to reveal a visually imperceptible layer of lead white on the silhouette surface. During the restoration process, the historically significant inscription “Gift of Meibaum 4. August 28, 1835” was discovered. We can assume that the inscription points to the author of the silhouette, a student Meibaum studied in the First Cadet Corps, or to his relative who donated the silhouette. Restoration procedures have been carried out with each element of the object. The main part of the work has been done on a paper silhouette, which had not only spots, but also tears due to the deformation of the paper support and cardboard. The features of the composition design after restoration are the encapsulation of the silhouette in a polyester film, which prevents the interaction of lead white with air, and the fastening all structural elements along the upper edge. After the restoration the author's idea has been kept: the encapsulated silhouette on a black glossy background, bordered by the golden frame, is attached to a paper backing.

Studies on Mitigation of Printing Cost, Volatile Organic Compounds Emission and Sustainability in Printing Industries by Using Water-based Inks

Organic solvents have been frequently and excessively used in the printing process for a long time. The use of organic solvents in solvent-based ink is responsible for fire hazards, volatile organic compounds emission, and high manufacturing cost during printing. The present study aimed at replacing solvent based ink with water-based ink for reducing the volatile organic compounds emissions and carbon footprints in gravure printing without affecting overall printing quality. The PET film was printed with a water-based ink laser engraved cylinder having reduced cell depth and it resulted in the transfer of a low volume of inks on printing substrate. The cost of printing one kg of polyester film with water-based ink was reduced by US$ 1.95 compared to solvent-based ink. The volatile organic compounds emissions for water-based ink were measured at 2478 ppm against 3373 ppm for solvent-based ink. The water-based ink reduced the carbon footprint by 3.04 kg, which was equivalent to CO2 during printing of one kg polyester film used for making flexible pouches compared to solvent-based ink. The outcome of this study may be the benchmark to authorities for green manufacturing systems in gravure printing applications for the betterment of the environment and humanity.

Protecting Our Healthcare Workers: University of Ottawa Medical Students Secure Personal Protective Equipment and Medical Supplies during COVID-19 Pandemic

“Our family wishes to make our humanitarian contribution in order to assist in the fight of this COVID-19 pandemic. We want to be a part of the University of Ottawa team. Together we can support each other. The following are the details of what we wish to contribute: 980kg of clear plastic film of 0.11mm thickness. This transparent polyester film is usually used on flatbed printers to make signs and other projects but can be used in the making of face shields. Please, do not hesitate to contact us should you be interested. Our preference is to help our local community and thus we are committed to donating all supplies to your group.” - A donor to our University of Ottawa Medical Students Group for Sourcing PPE and Medical Supplies

Towards One-Dollar Robots: An Integrated Design and Fabrication Strategy for Electromechanical Systems

SUMMARY To improve the accessibility of robotics, we propose a design and fabrication strategy to build low-cost electromechanical systems for robotic devices. Our method, based on origami-inspired cut-and-fold and E-textiles techniques, aims at minimizing the resources for robot creation. Specifically, we explore techniques to create robots with the resources restricted to single-layer sheets (e.g., polyester film) and conductive sewing threads. To demonstrate our strategy’s feasibility, these techniques are successfully integrated into an electromechanical oscillator (about 0.40 USD), which can generate electrical oscillation under constant-current power and potentially be used as a simple robot controller in lieu of additional external electronics.

Research on electric thermal aging resistance new energy material transformer oil based on steady quality engineering technology

The aim of this study was to investigate the electrical resistance of polycarbonate film and polyester film materials in new energy materials during electrothermal aging in transformer oil. Insulating paper was used as a comparative material to compare the breakdown voltage and initial voltage of insulating paper, polycarbonate film, and polyester film in electrothermal aging at 90 °C, 110 °C, and 130 °C. The best performance in the test was achieved by polycarbonate film, followed by polyester film, while the worst performance was that of insulating paper. Polycarbonate film can be used as an insulating material in transformers, and it has great application value and commercial prospects.

Facile Method for Obtaining Gold-Coated Polyester Surfaces with Antimicrobial Properties

The antimicrobial and antifungal activity of polymers used in medical devices has been extensively studied due to the growing impact of hospital-related infections in patients. The ideal biocidal polymeric materials should be very effective in the microorganism’s inhibition, not toxic to the human body, and environmentally friendly. In this context, this work is aimed at obtaining antimicrobial and antifungal properties at the polyester film surfaces without introducing toxic effects. Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films were functionalized with Ar plasma and then immersed in a solution containing gold nanoparticles (AuNps). The results demonstrated the appearance of the hydrophilic groups on the film surface after modification of PET film by plasma Ar treatment and the formation of the polar groups such as C=O, COO-, and OH, which then reacted with AuNps. The changes induced in the treated polymer samples were investigated in terms of AuNp adsorption efficiency on polyester film by contact angle, profilometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The morphological and structural analyses have shown a good adhesion of AuNps at treated film surfaces. The results of biocompatibility antimicrobial and antifungal tests proved the nontoxic behavior of the sample and its good antimicrobial and antifungal activity.