Since the 1970's the authors of this book have been pioneers in the field, having produced several innovative methodologies that are currently used worldwide. This book will give the scientific and technical background to understand, to produce, and to apply nanosystems for conservation to works of art. Techniques based on nanotechnology are replacing traditional treatments. Scientists expanding their activities to conservation need to be acquainted with these advanced conservation methodologies through a suitable theoretical introduction to systems such as nanoparticles, microemulsions and gels. This unique book provides the detailed information necessary to understand and how to produce and use the modern systems for conservation. Numerous case studies will show how to handle these systems. Practitioners in cultural heritage activities and conservation science including scientists and conservators that operate in museums, universities, schools, and other institutions, as well as students, will find this book extremely useful. It also appeal to students in surface/colloid chemistry and nanoscience since it offers interesting practical applications to these fundamental sciences.
About the Author:

Piero Baglioni is currently Full Professor of Physical Chemistry and lecturer of Physical Chemistry of Disperse Systems and Interfaces at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Florence. He has been appointed as Visiting Scientist/Professor by several laboratories such as the Department of Chemistry of the University of Houston, the Weizmann Institute, the Collège de France, and M.I.T. He is the Director of the National Consortium for Nanosystems (CSGI) and in the Advisory Board and reviewer of several international journals and International organization (European Science Foundation (ESF), National Science Foundation (NSF)). He is member of the scientific board of several national and international Institutions, industries (Italcementi, FAST, HMI, etc.) and Journals, coordinator of several National and European Union's projects.

David Chelazzi is a research fellow at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Florence. His research interests and expertise include the consolidation of wall painting, cleaning of artworks, deacification of paper, wood and canvas. Recent work has been concerned with the synthesis and characterisation of nanoparticles for cultural heritage conservation and nanostrcutured cleaning fluids.