Gas detecting and sensing is a largely studied field of knowledge, but total understanding is not yet achieved and the ideal device is still far in the future. Many experimental efforts have been devoted to find the minimum optimal temperature and operational conditions for SnO2 to sense hydrocarbons; different methods to build gas-detecting devices keep being developed all around the world, from paste-based bulk devices to nanostructured thick and thin films, but little effort has been aim to characterize the reactions by calculating their related enthalpies. Computational methods have been widely used to characterize, understand and model many physicochemical interactions. In this regard, three main courses can be followed: Ab initio (first principles of quantum mechanics), DFT (Density Functional Theory) and MD (Molecular Dynamics) simulation. In this research, DFT modelling tool is employed to understand and characterize the gas-sensing reactions of Tin Oxide when exposed to an atmosphere with Methane. In CASTEP, a robust DFT module of the Materials Studio suite, one SnO2 (110) crystal plane is exposed to CH4 and the structure is optimized many times for each possible step of the reaction, recording the energies related with each optimization stage, in sum giving us the Transition State (TS) of the reaction. Based on the data, a promising reaction-path is proposed and analyzed for the (110) surface.

Physics forms a core subject on any Materials Science and Engineering programme. In order to engage first year undergraduate students in the formal education environment, motivating the students is fundamental to ensuring their success. This qualitative study focuses on the use of technology to assess a student’s comprehension of fundamental light phenomena. A knowledge of light phenomena is essential in Materials Science, for the characterization of materials, where electromagnetic (EM) radiation is used as an analytical tool. Using visible light, students can easily see what is happening and when they have to capture digital evidence of the phenomena they focus on the event.

Physical Physics a structured guided approach which initially leads the students through the theory and problem solving. It provides the knowledge scaffold the students require to allow them to use their individual creativity to express their understanding. In this case, understanding is captured and assessed by the production of a portfolio of original photographs of Light phenomena taken by the student.

In addition to a traditional lecture exposition, Physical Physics takes an active learning approach with authentic assessment designed for deep learning. Students learn about relevant light phenomena in the familiar landscape of their world. The assessment provides opportunities for choice, creativity and reflection. It fosters students’ interest to encourage intrinsic motivation and engagement.

This approach has been successfully piloted with first year undergraduate students. Samples of the students’ work is shown. The students interviewed reveal how this approach enhanced their understanding of these Light concepts and changed their perceptions of studying Physics in general.

In this paper, synchrotron based infrared micro-spectroscopy was utilized to describe the degradation profile of fibroin contained in silk textiles (Bombyx mori). The spatial distributions of deterioration effects in silk samples artificially aged at an assortment of conditions (thermal, hydrolytic and ultraviolet) were distinctly visualised and in accordance with the findings from conventional infrared spectroscopy in references. Further this method was applied on a historic sample from a private collection in Melbourne, and presented consistent results. This established synchrotron IR chemical mapping method could enable museum professionals to better understand the preservation state of historic silk and make informed decisions for conservation.

To better understand light induced changes in polymeric coatings commonly used to protect metal artifacts, this work details the decomposition of thin (∼100nm) nitrocellulose-based lacquer films on silver, copper, and gold. Samples were exposed to various wavelengths of light including, UVA (∼340nm), UVB (312nm), and UVC (254nm), under controlled temperature and humidity. Decomposition was characterized using reflection absorption spectroscopy (RAS) and monitoring infrared absorbance bands. The loss of NO2 functional groups was observed and the decrease was fit to a simple two step autocatalytic model involving primary and secondary decomposition steps. The decomposition rate under UVC light exposure was rapid and similar for all substrates. Rate constants for the primary and secondary steps were similar in magnitude and only mildly dependent on temperature. For UVB light exposure, all reaction rates were much slower and secondary decomposition was much faster relative to the primary decomposition step. Decomposition under all conditions resulted in the formation of oxidized species with an infrared spectrum similar to that of carboxylic acids.

The Habsburg Empire was a sovereign dynasty ruled by the Habsburgs between the 15th and 20th centuries. Although its borders were not defined before the 19th century, what is now Austria, Hungary, some areas of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Italy were at some point part of the Empire. Starting in the 17th century, the Empire had Vienna as the capital, which was a hub for culture and craft where silk was a valued commodity. Despite the political and cultural importance of the Empire, little is known of its trade practices and sources of raw material. Using a combination of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array Detector (HPLC-PDA) for the study of a Viennese swatch book, we conducted the first systematic approach to understanding the industry. Benedict Codecasa, a prominent merchant active in Vienna between the late 18th and early 19th century sold silk and other textile goods. Authorized by the Royal Court, Codecasa was assumed to sell luxurious and high-quality textiles. However, our results suggested colored goods were dyed with more focus on aesthetics (finding a similar color) rather than quality through unique recipes. This greatly contrasts with other contemporary textile industries praised for their quality and which, in turn, might be related to comparatively lesser quality textiles sold in Vienna.

Copper-based pigments are common in works of art that show signs of decay on green and blue areas and are frequently associated with the degradation of organic substrates and/or media (drying oils, cellulose, etc.). The exact causes of degradation remain unknown. This prompted us to study possible starting and degradation products of one especially reactive copper pigment, verdigris (copper acetate), as well as pigments of the same family (salt and soap greens). Preparation of pigments using historical methods was followed by spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Synthesis of verdigris and verdigris-like pigments resulted in a mixture of starting polymorphs of verdigris, including neutral and basic verdigris. With accelerated aging, pigments degraded to a polymorph of basic verdigris when not affected by organic media, whereas pigments on cellulosic substrates showed oxidized copper species. With this study, we are beginning to understand verdigris starting materials and highlight the complex interactions between pigments and substrates that influence pigment degradation pathways.

Ancient silver artifacts, when exposed to environments that contain sulfides (H2S), become tarnished and a black film is formed on the surface. The current study deals with the role of copper content and oxygen in the formation of tarnishing in the silver alloys 0.925, 0.800 and 0.720. An ammonium sulfide solution was used as an accelerator of the tarnishing process for different immersion conditions. The analysis of the tarnishing layer in silver alloys was performed by Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The formation of the tarnishing layer was found to be influenced by copper and oxygen contents. The corrosion products under the conditions studied were found to be mainly acanthite and jalpaite.