Imaging and Sensing for Archaeology, Art History and Conservation

The Imaging & Sensing for Archaeology, Art History & Conservation (ISAAC) laboratory was established at Nottingham Trent University in 2006 to develop advanced imaging and sensing instruments (hardware, software, data processing and analysis) for application in cultural heritage. The ISAAC mobile laboratory gives access to unique in-house developed instruments and a range of complementary non-invasive techniques for in situ analysis. It has the most comprehensive range of in-house developed OCT systems covering a broad range of wavelengths, including the unique 1960nm OCT system for deeper penetration into scattering materials. It has a unique suite of remote imaging and spectroscopy instruments including spectral imaging and various laser induced spectroscopy (e.g. Raman) that can operate at distances up to tens of metres. The ISAAC team specialises in interdisciplinary research at the interface between science and heritage, from instrument development, data science to interpretation of results for heritage applications. The team has provided access and collaborated with all the national museums and heritage organisations and some regional museums in the UK, as well as major international heritage organisations. The ISAAC Mobile lab has carried out analysis at heritage organisations around the world from Europe to the USA, China and New Zealand. ISAAC mobile laboratory enables the multi-modal and in situ analysis of nearly all types of heritage materials and objects. It is suitable for research in art conservation, history, archaeology and palaeontology. It focuses on non-invasive analysis of materials from identification of materials (e.g. pigments and other materials), monitoring of degradation, revealing of hidden or faded drawings and writings, imaging of surface and subsurface microstructure and stratigraphy, study of historic manufacturing techniques, provenance, painting techniques, investigating causes of degradation etc.