Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies, and Nano-Characterisation in Heritage Science: From Diagnostics to Conservation and Restoration

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have reshaped heritage science thanks to their unique properties and advantages. This Special Issue will bring together scientists, engineers, data specialists, art historians, archaeologists, conservators, and restorers to deliver reliable and durable outcomes for protecting our shared past. We welcome contributions that integrate advanced diagnostics to assess vulnerabilities and cutting-edge nano-enabled materials to address them.

Today, nano-informed approaches are widely used to study, maintain, and consolidate artefacts, works of art, objects, monuments, and other types of heritage of artistic, historical, and anthropological value. We seek original research that advances this practice, including, but not limited to, in situ/portable methods (e.g., XRF/XRD, hyperspectral/thermal imaging, fibre-optic reflectance, etc.), nanoscale and correlative characterisation (including AFM, OCT, electron microscopy, synchrotron- and neutron-based techniques, and X-ray spectroscopy), and nano-enabled treatments (consolidants, protective coatings, and cleaning/desalination systems). Submissions that document compatibility, reversibility, durability/ageing, and environmentally sustainable solutions, including case histories and field trials, are also encouraged.

By highlighting standards, protocols, inter-laboratory comparisons, and open/FAIR data, this Special Issue will also consolidate best practices and accelerate the responsible adoption of nano-based diagnostics, conservation, and restoration in heritage science.

We invite scientists and academic/professional conservators and restorers to submit original research, methods/protocols, reviews, short communications, or case studies to this Special Issue, entitled “Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Nano-Characterization in Heritage Science: From Diagnostics to Conservation and Restoration.” Contributions demonstrating multidisciplinary collaboration and real-world impacts are particularly welcome.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Nanomaterials.

Dr. João Pedro Veiga
Dr. Giuseppina Padeletti
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. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1600 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.