Welcome to the laboratory LATHEMA (Laboratory of Technologies for Heritage Materials)

Our objectives

Research topics in our laboratory are focused on the development of sustainable and eco-friendly conservation strategies, getting inspired by environmental processes occurring in nature.  

While often considered as harmful for cultural heritage, microbial processes (e.g. extracellular production of chelating agents, enzymes, polymers...) can also be exploited for its safeguarding. Indeed, there is a growing interest for green technologies that are environmentally friendly (close to ambient temperature and pressure, neutral pH), and take into account ecological aspects and also risks factors for operators.

The efficiency of bio-based passivation, stabilization and cleaning processes are currently evaluated on inorganic and organic materials through in particular the application of green gels.

Targeted substrates vary from inorganic (metals) to organic (waterlogged wood) or composite objects (painted metals) substrates and application is foreseen on archaeological objects, historical and technical objects, as well as outdoor monuments.

An original and deep background in environmental analytical chemistry and conservation sciences allow us to actually link these fields together into the successful development of new conservation approaches, such as a fungal treatment (biopatina) for protecting copper alloys or a bacterial desalination method for archaeological iron. As well, we study the bioremediation of sulfur and iron that represents a pioneering and inventive research for the long-term preservation of waterlogged wood. Recently, we initiate also green formulations to clean altered and tarnished surfaces from copper, iron and silver artworks.