Analytik, leading suppliers of innovative analytical instrumentation, have joined SEAHA as an industrial partner and will help in the supervision of a student in the use of spectral imaging techniques to evaluate historical artefacts. 

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) is an 8-year initiative (2014-2022) to establish an infrastructure to meet challenges set by the heritage sector, industry and government. Analytik have joined this project as an industrial partner and student supervisor. 

Analytik are leading suppliers of portable and handheld spectrometers including Visible and Near-Infrared (Vis-NIR), FTIR, Raman, Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging, and Light Measurement to UK and Ireland conservation and heritage organisations. With a range of spectroscopy and spectral imaging techniques, Analytik is able to provide heritage specialists with the latest analytical instrumentation, providing real-time analysis where and when required. The instrument range in combination with Analytik's experience and expertise will be of great help to researchers involved with art and historical artefacts in museums, galleries, libraries, archives and historic properties, in obtaining important and valuable scientific information. 

Analytik in partnership with the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute in Washington DC, University College London and the University of Brighton will work with E. Keats Webb on research exploring the integration of spectral and 3D image data. Keats describes her work: “My work focuses on the research and conservation of cultural heritage materials directly relating to the work of conservators, curators and researchers. My research project is looking at infrared and 3D imaging of cultural heritage objects and the potential of integrating the techniques in infrared photogrammetry. It has the added benefit of digitisation, which can increase the accessibility of collections and raise public interest. I have spent time at Analytik receiving an introduction to the company's imaging systems as well as to their handheld spectroscopy tools, which are complementary techniques that might help with material identification and increase the impact of my research.” 

Ian Laidlaw, Managing Director of Analytik, says, “Analytik are proud to become an industrial partner of SEAHA and involved in their scholarship project to develop expertise as well as contribute to the development of new talent. It was good to welcome Keats to our facilities and introduce systems such as the Videometer VL3 Multispectral Imaging System, the Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR and the SciAps Inspector 500 Raman. We have developed good relationships in the field of conservation, notably with Keats’ supervisor at UCL. Dr Matija Strlic is Deputy Director of UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage, with whom we have worked for a number of years, notably a study using the ASD LabSpec system to develop a method used to non-destructively study a paint canvas from the back to determine its suitability for transport and to improve the management and care of paintings in galleries and museums.” 

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