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Applied Sciences
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Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation
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Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 5283

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paola Pogliani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DIBAF Department, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: wall paintings; mosaic; cultural heritage; restoration and conservation; digital humanities; enhancement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Claudia Pelosi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DEIM Department, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: spectroscopy; materials for cultural heritage; wood coatings; conservation materials; innovative materials for cultural heritage; multispectral imaging for cultural heritage; coatings for stones
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation stems from the need to offer a space for discussion on the themes of restoration and conservation of cultural heritage through a multidisciplinary view that integrates the knowledge of scientific and humanistic disciplinary areas. The need arises from the presence of a growing diversification of attitudes and approaches that leads to very different experiences and theoretical and practical directions. There is no pretension of giving a univocal direction, but the intention is to bring into dialogue the new theoretical approaches, the most innovative scientific research, the development of new methodologies and technologies, up-to-date documentation systems and developments in activities that link the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage. This Special Issue intends to welcome research papers, communications, review articles and case studies that are exemplary and characterized by integrated research from leading groups around the world that work on the conservation and restoration of CH. In particular, the Special Issue is intended to be a forum for the following topics:

  • Theories of restoration;
  • New strategies in conservation and restoration of CH;
  • New strategies for the enhancement of CH;
  • Preventive conservation;
  • Documentation systems for knowledge and conservation;
  • Innovative research in the field of conservation and restoration of CH;
  • Innovative products in terms of methodologies, applications and materials for the conservation of cultural heritage;
  • Sustainability and green conservation.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Heritage.

Dr. Paola Pogliani
Dr. Claudia Pelosi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • conservation
  • restoration
  • cultural heritage
  • diagnostic
  • enhancement
  • documentation
  • materials
  • technologies
  • methodologies
  • products

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 35315 KB  
Article
Assessment of Structural Conservation State of Wooden Panel Painting by Optical and Thermal Diagnostics
by Chiara Saltarelli, Vito Pagliarulo, Massimo Rippa, Ugo Punzolo, Liliana Caso, Gianfranco Gargiulo, Paola Fiore, Teresa Cacace and Melania Paturzo
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(12), 6002; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16126002 (registering DOI) - 13 Jun 2026
Abstract
This study proposes a combination of optical and thermal methods to investigate the structural integrity of two 16th–17th centuries wooden panel paintings at the early stages of restoration. Well-established techniques, such as 3D scanning, technical photography, and active thermography, are combined with the [...] Read more.
This study proposes a combination of optical and thermal methods to investigate the structural integrity of two 16th–17th centuries wooden panel paintings at the early stages of restoration. Well-established techniques, such as 3D scanning, technical photography, and active thermography, are combined with the less conventional shearography, which has recently gained increasing relevance in the diagnostics of cultural heritage materials. The proposed methodology enables the identification and spatial localization of different forms of degradation within the multilayered structure of the artworks, including physical-structural alterations, insect damage, localized hygroscopic degradation, nails, interlayer deterioration, and craquelure. This approach provides a comprehensive insight into the state of the panel painting structure and highlights potentially critical areas which were undetectable by visual inspection alone, demonstrating the ability to guide restoration interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation)
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22 pages, 6050 KB  
Article
Non-Invasive Study of Gold Nanoparticles in Famille rose and Ruby-Back Qing Porcelain by Luminescence, Low-Wavenumber Raman Scattering and pXRF
by Philippe Colomban, Hui Tang and Gulsu Simsek-Franci
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12265; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212265 - 19 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1291
Abstract
Comprehensive studies of Famille rose porcelains, particularly ruby-back pieces, are rare and have generally not addressed the vibrational signatures arising from gold nanoparticles. Due to the high cultural and material value of these artifacts, a strictly non-invasive approach combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and [...] Read more.
Comprehensive studies of Famille rose porcelains, particularly ruby-back pieces, are rare and have generally not addressed the vibrational signatures arising from gold nanoparticles. Due to the high cultural and material value of these artifacts, a strictly non-invasive approach combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman (micro-)spectrometry must be employed. If the conservation of porcelain does not pose any difficulties, fakes exist and they must be identified. Preliminary studies show that the presence of metal nanoparticles generates plasmon-related fluorescence. Our results confirm that plasmon fluorescence is more effective than pXRF for detecting colloidal gold, whereas pXRF efficiently identifies associated elements such as arsenic, tin, and, newly observed, antimony; the presence of iron is difficult to demonstrate due to its ubiquitous occurrence. Yellow and green hues, distinct from those produced by Cu2+ ions alone, are mainly due to simple tin yellow (PbSnO3), while the cobalt used originates from a mixture of European smalt (rich in arsenic and potassium) and Asian ores (rich in manganese). Minimal variability was observed among egg-shell porcelains with similar decorations and dimensions, suggesting a common workshop or standardized raw materials and procedures. Two other egg-shell plates employ a different gold preparation technique (addition of Sn and Sb rather than As), which is visually evident in the ruby color. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation)
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20 pages, 16530 KB  
Article
The Effect of Antibiotics (Streptomycin and Penicillin) in Ethanol Mist on the Surfaces of Model and Historical Leather from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
by Anna Wawrzyk, Dorota Rybitwa, Natalia Pydyn, Nel Jastrzębiowska, Aleksandra Papis, Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska, Małgorzata Zimowska, Jacek Gurgul, Ada Bizacka and Sławomir Wilczyński
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12259; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212259 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 996
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of disinfection with penicillin and/or streptomycin, added to ethanol mist, on the surface properties of both model and historical leather materials from the collections of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (A-BSM) in Oświęcim, Poland. [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of disinfection with penicillin and/or streptomycin, added to ethanol mist, on the surface properties of both model and historical leather materials from the collections of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (A-BSM) in Oświęcim, Poland. The experimental conditions involved application of 90% ethanol mist alone or with penicillin, streptomycin or a mixture of both antibiotics using an airbrush. Changes in the morphology, structure and chemical properties of the sample surfaces compared to non-exposed samples were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy (CM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Microscopic studies demonstrated that exposure to penicillin or the antibiotic mixture caused subtle smoothing and flattening of tested leathers and a significant reduction in contamination of biological and mineral origin. Decreases in fluorescence intensity and fluorescent layer thickness were also observed, which, according to the XPS results, may be caused by the removal of a large amount of surface deposits or the reveal of deeper leather layers that were previously covered with inorganic particles. Therefore, it can be concluded that the developed method of applying antibiotics in ethanol mist does not have any significant negative effect on the surface of model and historical leather. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation)
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17 pages, 2233 KB  
Article
On-the-Ground Application of Cloud Evaluation: Big Data Reveals Experiential Effectiveness of Industrial Heritage Revitalization
by Xuesen Zheng, Timothy Heath and Sifan Guo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10388; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910388 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1011
Abstract
Post-occupancy evaluation is a critical mechanism for ensuring the sustained success and continuous improvement of industrial heritage revitalization initiatives. The quality of the visitor experience plays a key role in determining a project’s long-term vitality. This study focuses on assessing user satisfaction with [...] Read more.
Post-occupancy evaluation is a critical mechanism for ensuring the sustained success and continuous improvement of industrial heritage revitalization initiatives. The quality of the visitor experience plays a key role in determining a project’s long-term vitality. This study focuses on assessing user satisfaction with a revitalized industrial heritage site by employing web crawling and data mining techniques to systematically collect and analyze user-generated reviews from major online platforms. Using the 1933 Old Millfun in Shanghai, China, as an example, this research identifies six core evaluation dimensions derived from extensive user commentary: project accessibility, cultural legibility, aesthetic distinctiveness, commercial appeal, facility completeness, and sense of security. These dimensions are integrated into a comprehensive analytical framework, with the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) method applied to quantitatively assess the site’s performance across each category. By combining qualitative sentiment data with quantitative evaluation techniques, the data-driven presentation provides nuanced insights into the evolving user experience. The research results contribute to the development of a replicable and scalable paradigm for measuring user experience in industrial heritage revitalization and highlights the potential of digital platforms as valuable tools for heritage site management and continuous optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation)
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