Hearts and Homes: The Potential of Conservation Laser Cleaning for Post-disaster Wellbeing and Waste Reduction

Wain, A; Rode, A; Wilkinson, S; Banishemi, S; Hirajasouli, A; Rapp, L

Hearts and Homes: The Potential of Conservation Laser Cleaning for Post-disaster Wellbeing and Waste Reduction

Wain, A Rode, A Wilkinson, S

Banishemi, S Hirajasouli, A Rapp, L

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Publisher:: Informa UK Limited
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Studies in Conservation, 2022, 67, (S1), pp. 309-318
Issue Date:: 2022-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wain, A
dc.contributor.author	Rode, A
dc.contributor.author	Wilkinson, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9266-1858
dc.contributor.author	Banishemi, S
dc.contributor.author	Hirajasouli, A
dc.contributor.author	Rapp, L
dc.date.accessioned	2022-11-01T00:37:15Z
dc.date.available	2022-11-01T00:37:15Z
dc.date.issued	2022-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Studies in Conservation, 2022, 67, (S1), pp. 309-318
dc.identifier.issn	0039-3630
dc.identifier.issn	2047-0584
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163092
dc.description.abstract	This paper explores the potential for conservators to use their unique combination of materials and heritage experience to tackle the challenges of recovery in fire-affected areas, helping to minimise the waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional processes of post-disaster building remediation by facilitating cleaning and repair rather than replacement and disposal of fire-affected materials. The focus is not on saving ‘special’ items, but on remediating the broader fabric of homes and possessions that embody a sense of place and identity that sustains wellbeing and aids recovery after disaster. The samples used are painted plasterboard affected by smoke from the 2019 bushfires on the south-eastern coast of Australia. The method being trialled is the use of lasers to remove ash (soot) deposited by the smoke, to achieve a reduction in visual reminders of the fire and a surface that is ready for processes such as sanding, plastering or repainting to prepare a home for quick post-disaster re-occupation. Lasers have been extensively used for cleaning buildings. They use light energy to clean, so do not require abrasives or other chemicals, or touching of the surface. Nanosecond and femtosecond pulse lasers are trialled, and the effectiveness of the laser cleaning is analysed using visual assessment, optical microscopy, spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Informa UK Limited
dc.relation.ispartof	Studies in Conservation
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/00393630.2022.2069535
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.rights	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Studies in Conservation on 2022-05-17, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00393630.2022.2069535.
dc.subject	2101 Archaeology, 2102 Curatorial and Related Studies
dc.subject.classification	Analytical Chemistry
dc.title	Hearts and Homes: The Potential of Conservation Laser Cleaning for Post-disaster Wellbeing and Waste Reduction
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	67
utslib.for	2101 Archaeology
utslib.for	2102 Curatorial and Related Studies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CCDP - Contemporary Design Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/e-Press
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
utslib.copyright.embargo	2023-11-17T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2022-11-01T00:34:38Z
pubs.issue	S1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	67
utslib.citation.issue	S1

Abstract:

This paper explores the potential for conservators to use their unique combination of materials and heritage experience to tackle the challenges of recovery in fire-affected areas, helping to minimise the waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional processes of post-disaster building remediation by facilitating cleaning and repair rather than replacement and disposal of fire-affected materials. The focus is not on saving ‘special’ items, but on remediating the broader fabric of homes and possessions that embody a sense of place and identity that sustains wellbeing and aids recovery after disaster. The samples used are painted plasterboard affected by smoke from the 2019 bushfires on the south-eastern coast of Australia. The method being trialled is the use of lasers to remove ash (soot) deposited by the smoke, to achieve a reduction in visual reminders of the fire and a surface that is ready for processes such as sanding, plastering or repainting to prepare a home for quick post-disaster re-occupation. Lasers have been extensively used for cleaning buildings. They use light energy to clean, so do not require abrasives or other chemicals, or touching of the surface. Nanosecond and femtosecond pulse lasers are trialled, and the effectiveness of the laser cleaning is analysed using visual assessment, optical microscopy, spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163092