Optimisation of Environmental Control in Museum Collections of Bone and Ivory through Improved Damage Assessment procedures for these objects

This is the first piece of research to address archaeological bone behaviour to fluctuating relative humidity across the spectrum of bone collections held by English Heritage and to apply acoustic emission to these materials. I will work at the interface between conservation science and physical/biological sciences, whilst being exposed to world-class facilities in the centre of London. For the physical/biological sciences I will interact and work with the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) (joint Birkbeck/UCL). For conservation science I will work with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) at UCL.

The research will be undertaken using a range of analysis methods. They include Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric and mechanical testing. This information will contribute to our understanding of bone degradation mechanics.