MINUTE OF THE MEETING – Genova – May 6, 2005

INTRODUCTION

The project contract has been signed by the European Commission on June 17st, 2004; the start date of PAPERTECH project has been on July 1st, 2004.
The Partner n. 2 University of Genova, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, organised the annual meeting, as it can be observed from the Agenda herewith attached. The meeting has been held on May 6 st, 2005, in Genova, Italy.
The participants to the meeting (contractors) belong to Institutions from Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.
The meeting has been organised in order to discuss the activities carried out by each partner and to define in more details the activities to be continued, the submission of project deliverables and summary statements of amounts, according to the Technical Annex of the contract.

2)         ACTIVITIES OF EACH PARTNER:

- CAMPEC

Activities for the first year of the Project: CAMPEC selected some model  paper samples, in order to have a lot of modern samples to be representative of different kind of papers. In particular two different kind of papers have been selected: paper with low lignin content (representative of high quality ancient paper) and paper with high lignin content (representative of modern paper characterised by low photo-oxidative resistance) and a sample of modern papyri. Paper and papyri samples has been distributed by CAMPEC to some contractors for the preliminary characterization. Moreover, artificial ageing cycles have been planned and performed by CAMPEC in order to obtain samples at different levels of degradation: the papers have been weathered in oven, in solarbox and in climatic chamber. Finally the aged samples have been distributed by CAMPEC to the former contractors for the study of the degradation processes.
Moreover CAMPEC collected ancient real samples. All the ancient items have been sent to IMC (partner n.3a).
CAMPEC, as coordinator of Papertech project, distributed to each partner the following documents:

• Guidance notes for Specific Targeted Research or Innovation Project

-           Model of Financial Statement per Activity for a Specific Targeted Research or Innovation Project

Future activities: CAMPEC will collect the periodic scientific and management reports to be sent to European Community.
CAMPEC will perform the WAXS analysis on unaged and artificial aged modern samples and on modern samples oxidized with sodium metaperiodate provided by DCCI (partner n.2).
CAMPEC will perform measurements of activation energy of aged and unaged modern papers with the aim to study degradation processes through thermogravimetric and calorimetric analyses.
Moreover CAMPEC will start the application of new polymeric materials to consolidate the degraded paper.

Timing
WAXS analysis: December 2005
Thermal Characterization: December 2005.
Application of new polymeric materials: June 2006.

- University of Genova, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (Partner n. 2, DCCI)

Activities for the first year of the Project: DCCI provided to CAMPEC modern paper used in the manufacturing of newspaper and books of the first half of the 20th Century.
A complete investigation of the morphology of ancient and modern papers and papyri through SEM-EDS has been performed by DCCI, in order to study the influence of the natural and artificial ageing on the paper properties. In addition to the weathering in solarbox, in oven and in climatic chamber, the partner has also performed an oxidative reaction with sodium metaperiodate (NaIO4) on the model samples, with the aim to reproduce the oxidative natural ageing.
Moreover, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) on the unaged and aged papers and papyri samples have been performed in order to detect the thermal stability of the samples.

Future activities: DCCI will send model modern samples oxidized with sodium metaperiodate to CAMPEC for WAXS analysis, and to UPV-EHU (partner n.5) for spectroscopic characterization. DCCI will perform the morphological characterization of biodegraded papers supplied by CNRS (partner n.7).
DCCI will perform the synthesis in vitro of the most suitable copolymers for paper restoration. Moreover the partner will set up the grafting polymerisation on the modern and ancient model samples in order to consolidate them.

Timing
Distribution of model modern samples oxidized with sodium metaperiodate: July 2005.
Synthesis in vitro of new copolymers: June 2006.
Grafting polymerisation: June 2006.

- CNR – IMC (Partner n. 3a)

Activities for the first year of the Project: IMC has performed an accurate NMR study to gain a fully characterisation of the model samples. In particular two NMR techniques have been used: 13C CPMAS spectroscopy and NMR relaxometry.
The 13CP-MAS spectroscopy technique allows to determinate the type of cellulose present in the different paper types, the crystalline/amorphous ratio, the possible presence of emicellulose and the presence of hydrolyzed products and no-cellulosic compounds like lignine or organic additives. Moreover the study of cross-polarization dynamic and the measurement of the spin lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame, T1r(1H), allows to obtain useful information on the cellulose chains.
In order to obtain information on the water component in the paper, the 1H NMR relaxation technique has been used. 

Future activities: IMC will perform NMR analysis on biodegraded papers supplied by CNRS (partner n.7).
IMC will perform NMR study on ancient samples by using NMR portable instrument.

Timing
Characterization of ancient samples through NMR analysis: March 2006.

- CNR–DAI–SMED (Partner n. 3b)

Activities for the first year of the Project: DAI-SMED acquired and elaborated data related to Community projects realised in the field of conservation of paper of historical, artistic and archaeological value for the years 1995 – 2004. These data are finalised to better target the future research activities in the field.
The partner implemented the web – site project related and realised the Catalogue of Papertech, in which ancient and modern samples of priority interest for the project researches and scientific activities are selected.

Future activities: DAI-SMED will identify stake-holders to further transfer project results in view of the constitution of technology platforms.

Timing
Identification of stake-holders: June 2006.

- Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Application (MUCSAT, Partner n. 4)

Activities for the first year of the Project: MUCSAT performed the mechanical characterization of modern unaged and aged samples in tensile and flexural modes. In addition, the partner has tested samples treated with cellulose acetate.

Future activities: MUCSAT will perform mechanical tests on biodegraded papers supplied by CNRS (partner n.7).
MUCSAT will start new consolidation treatments based on the use of polymeric materials on modern samples undergone to artificial weathering cycles and it will perform mechanical tests on treated samples.

Timing
Results on the application of polymeric materials on modern artificially degraded samples: June 2006.

- Universidad del Pais Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV-EHU, Partner n. 5)

Activities for the first year of the Project: UPV-EHU provided to CAMPEC ancient items. UPV-EHU developed the first part of the Raman and Infrared Spectroscopic database using the existing e-VISART FTIR database of UPV/EHU and adding the Raman spectra.
Several real samples and unaged and aged model samples have been analysed by using X-ray flourescence and Raman Spectroscopy.

Future activities:
UPV-EHU with DCCI (partner n.2) will share the characterization of model samples oxidized with sodium metaperiodate by FT-IR and micro FT-IR analyses.
UPV-EHU will carry out a deep characterization of oxidative and degradation processes occurring in the real samples; in particular the partner will study the oxidative processes of cellulose in the presence of copper pigments taking into account the foxing processes in the presence of iron/copper particles.

Timing
Results of analysis on ancient, modern and artificially degraded samples: June 2006.

- Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa (FCT-CFA, Partner n. 6)

Activities for the first year of the Project: EDXRF method has been used by FCT-CFA to identify the elemental composition in the paper and papyri samples, particularly quantifying the S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sr and Pb amount.
In addition, the effect of the weathering processes on the composition on these papers has been performed. Ancient documents and inks have been also studied.

Future activities:
FCT-CFA will carry out the characterization of ancient papers with the aim to analyse the inks and additives presents in the samples.

Timing
Identification of inks and additives on ancient samples: December 2005.

- CNRS (Partner n. 7)

Activities for the first year of the Project: A reliable enzymatic test has been set up by CNRS to study the biodegrability of papers. Two microbial enzymatic systems have been chosen to perform the test: the first of these systems is synthesized by the fungus Trichoderma resei and the second is produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum.
Hydrolysis of paper by cellulolytic systems has been monitored by measuring the amount of reducing soluble sugars released during the experiment and by visual observation of the destruction of the paper strip integrity under the action of cellulases.
The test developed by CNRS will be useful for rapid estimation of paper biodegrading sensibility of a variety of different papers and it is suitable for screening experiments because large number of samples can be handled on one experiment.

Future activities: CNRS will supply the hydrolysed papers to DCCI (partner n.2) for the morphological characterization, to IMC (partner n.3a) for the NMR analysis and to MUCSAT (partner n.4) for the mechanical characterization.
CNRS will use the developed test for a rapid estimation of paper biodegrading sensibility. Moreover the partner will plan and perform the application of new antimicrobial agents for the protection of paper.

Timing
Treatments of paper and papyri with new antimicrobial agents: June 2006.

- Universitè “Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah” (LTTI, Partner n. 8)

Activities for the first year of the Project: LTTI performed the automatic characterization of papers by using image processing and analysis. Image analysis of base paper has been performed using SEM images provided by DCCI. With this technique it is possible to observe fibres dimension and distribution, fibres orientation, fillers distribution, porosity and coating layer structure details as surface roughness.

Future activities: LTTI will use the image analysis with SEM in order to obtain more structure details of papers. Moreover the partner will analyse with this technique the degraded area of ancient items and the treated modern samples. The partner will implement the web – site project related.

Timing
Results on the image analysis of samples: June 2006.
Implementation of website: June 2006.

- Yarmouk University (YU-IAA, Partner n. 9)

Activities for the first year of the Project: YU-IAA provided to CAMPEC ancient papers; in particular the partner provided seven samples taken from the records of the Ottoman archive of the Jordanian Department of Lands and Survey. The paper of these documents is ca. 130 years old.

Future activities: YU-IAA will receive ancient, modern and artificially degraded samples after preliminary treatments with polymeric materials carried out by same partners in order to perform on them durability tests.

Timing
Results of durability tests : December 2006

- Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA, Partner n. 10)

Activities for the first year of the Project: SCA provided to CAMPEC ancient items.

Future activities: SCA will test polymeric materials synthesized by the other partners and the partner will perform restoration treatments on ancient items selected and undergone to the analytical protocol set up.

Timing
Restoration treatments will be performed starting from the 2nd year of activities

- Cairo University (CU-FA, Partner n. 11),

Activities for the first year of the Project: CU-FA selected 17 ancient items from the central library of Cairo University department of ancient manuscript (Arabic – Turkish –French ), 5 Arabic manuscripts ,6 Turkish manuscripts ,2 French expedition grand books, 1 French expedition file and 3 papyri. The partner performed a photographic documentation to all items by digital camera. Deterioration of all items has been studied: in particular it has been evidenced biological deterioration, acidity, humidity, some parts missing, destroyed paper under ink, degradation and darkness of paint, tears of paper and loss of some parts.

Future activities: CU-FA will test the materials synthesized by the other partners and the partners together with SCA will perform restoration treatments on ancient items selected and undergone to the analytical protocol set up.

Timing
Restoration treatments will be performed starting from the 2nd year of activities.

3)        CONCLUSIONS

All the contractors agree with the timing above reported for each activity, and they well understand that any delay will preclude activities of the other partners, as well as the good progress of the project.

All the partners have accepted the proposal of DCCI (partner n. 2) to create an identity card of unaged and aged model papers. They will be composed by using the results obtained during the project.

Moreover it has been established that the partners have the possibility to publish results obtained under own activities related to the project. The partners will make attention to not damage the other contractors.

All the partner are interested to acquire a porosimetry technique, in order to determine the paper porosity.

All the partners deliberated that the ancient items, received by IMC (partner n. 3a), have to be sent to Prof. Ezio Martuscelli (the scientific responsible of Papertech) for the determination of their state of conservation.
IMC (partner n. 3a) will keep the map coded in the Papertech catalogue as Document no. 4/35 Sample 07 on which the partner will continue the NMR characterization.

Finally LTTI (Partner n. 8) gave his availability to organise the third Meeting of the project, that will be held in Fez (Marocco), on January or February 2006. Before this date each contractor ensure that preliminary results will be made available to all the Partners.