Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies, and Nano-Characterisation in Heritage Science: From Diagnostics to Conservation and Restoration
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2026) | Viewed by 920
Editors
Interests: cultural heritage; mining heritage; mineralogy; crystallography; crystal chemistry; ceramics; glasses; mortars; rock weathering; synchrotron radiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: cultural heritage; ceramics; glasses; lusters; mortars; pigments; oxides; nanomaterials; nanotechnology; synchrotron radiation; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy; atomic force microscopy; built heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have reshaped heritage science thanks to their unique properties and advantages. This Special Issue intends to bring together scientists, engineers, data specialists, art historians, archaeologists, conservators, and restorers to deliver reliable and durable outcomes for the protection of 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 work that advances this practice with focuses 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, X-ray spectroscopy), and nano-enabled treatments (consolidants, protective coatings, 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 also aims to consolidate best practices and accelerate responsible adoption of nano-based diagnostics, conservation, and restoration in heritage science.
We warmly invite scientists and academic/professional conservators and restorers to submit original research, methods/protocols, reviews, short communications, or case studies to “Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies, and Nano-Characterisation in Heritage Science: From Diagnostics to Conservation and Restoration.” Contributions demonstrating multidisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact are particularly welcome.
You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Heritage.
Dr. João Pedro Veiga
Dr. Giuseppina Padeletti
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nanomaterials
- nanotechnologies
- nano-characterisation
- cultural heritage
- heritage science
- in situ diagnostics
- portable equipment
- hyperspectral imaging
- synchrotron radiation methods
- neutron techniques
- glass
- ceramics
- metals
- stone
- mortars
- polymers
- ageing
- weathering and degradation
- archaeometry
- geoarchaeology
- conservation
- restoration
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