Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation

Dear Colleagues,

It is now well recognized that the use of gels and other advanced functional materials has marked a turning point and a significant advancement in the field of cultural heritage conservation over the past few decades, offering previously unexplored possibilities. Gels are versatile materials with critical applications across numerous scientific and technological sectors, including, but not limited to, cosmetics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

Their unique properties—such as fluid retention, controlled release, adaptability to complex surfaces, and the virtually limitless potential to design gels with tailored characteristics based on the specific needs of an artwork—make them ideal alternatives to conventional solutions. Gels are particularly effective for cleaning solvent- or water-sensitive and complex surfaces, as well as for consolidation and protection treatments in conservation practices, and have already demonstrated great potential and unprecedented performance, especially as cleaning systems. More recently, research has increasingly focused on the development of greener materials, incorporating bio-derived components or renewable feedstocks into gel formulations. This shift aims to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional methods, which often rely on petroleum-based substances and inefficient procedures, and to further promote sustainable development within the cultural heritage sector.

Although significant progress has been made through the integration of soft matter and colloid science in cultural heritage conservation, many opportunities and applications remain to be explored. We welcome the submission of new results on the development and application of gels in cultural heritage, with particular interest in greener materials, sustainable conservation practices involving gel applications, and theoretical insights into gel–substrate interactions.

Dr. Chiara Biribicchi
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Favero
Dr. Alessandro Ciccola
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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