This web site, the DataBase, the webreports and the other information contained here is part of the grants for project R+I+D PID2020-113022GB-100 and CTQ2017-85317-C2-1-P funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the grants for projects R+I+D CTQ2014-53736-C3, CTQ2011-28079-C03-01, CTQ2008-06727-C03/BQU funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDEF.
Electrochemistry for Heritage Group (ElcHer)
The ElcHer Group is an interuniversitary research team between the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Universitat de València composed of specialists in analytical chemistry, conservators and geologists with a large background in the development of analytical methods, which has pioneered the application of solid state electrochemical techniques to the analytical characterization of heritage.
The ElcHer DataBase, is the result of the research in solid state electrochemistry applied to heritage developed along the last 20 years. ElcHer DataBase is available since September 2014 in the web site of HelcHer Group.
The ElcHer Database is a compilation of reference voltammograms, accompanied of the corresponding IR, UV-Vis and x-ray spectra and microscopy photographs of historical and modern pigments contributed by the ElcHer Group. Financial support for developing this initiative is due to the project Nanoelectrochemistry: a new advanced analytical tool in heritage conservation, Referencie: CTQ2011-28079-C03-0. National Program R+D 2008-2011. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Co-financed by ERDEF funds. Period: 2012-2014.
During the period 2015-2017 ElcHer Database has been enlarged with voltammograms of reference materials of corrosion products of historical and archaeological metal objects. In addition, the Database has been improved by replacing a part of the voltammograms stored as fixed images in an interactive voltammogram in which the user can obtain the intensity and electrochemical potential in each point of the voltammogram by moving the cursor along the curve. Financial support for developing this initiative is due to the project Aplicación de las técnicas nanoelectroquímicas y biotecnologías en el estudio y conservación del patrimonio en metal, Referencie: CTQ2014-53736-C3-1-P and CTQ2014-53736-C3-2-P. Programa estatal de fomento de la investigación científica y técnica de excelencia, subprograma estatal de generación del conocimiento. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad co-financed by ERDEF funds (art 5 point 4 in BOE 08/08/2014).
During the period 2018-2020 the Database has been enlarged by adding voltammograms from reference materials of ceramics, glazes and glasses, their raw materials, ceramic pigments and their corrosion products present in historic and archaeological ceramics, glazes and glasses such as dyes. Financial support for developing this initiative is due to the project Aplicación de técnicas avanzadas de microscopía en el estudio del patrimonio cerámico y vítreo. Referencie: CTQ2017-85317-C2-1-P, supported by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO), Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (ERDF) and Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI). This Project is included in the Programa estatal de fomento de la investigación científica y técnica de excelencia, subprograma estatal de generación de conocimiento. Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (art 5 point 4 in Resolución 08/06/2017).
During the period 2020-2022 the Database is enlarged by adding voltammograms from reference materials of organic compounds and their corrosion products present in historic and archaeological objects such as dyes, resins, oils, rests of food, blood and other biological fluids present in archeological remains, markers compounds of metabolic biodeteriorating activity, marker compounds of chemical and physical degradation, etc. This initiative has been developd as part of the project entitled Aplicación de técnicas avanzadas de electroquímica de estado sólido y microscopía en el estudio de restos arqueológicos de naturaleza orgánica, reference, PID2020-113022GB-I00 supported by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033. Programas estatales de generación del conocimiento y fortalecimeinto científico y tecnológico del sistema I+D+I orientada a los retos de la sociedad. Convocatoria 2020. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Resolución 11-11-2020, art 9 punto 7h).
A large number of papers, books and contributions to congresses have been published focused on the study of the pigments combining VMP and spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. It can be also mentioned the publication of a monograph on Electrochemical methods in Archaeometry, Conservation and Restoration by invitation of the Springer editor in charge of the Electrochemistry series of monographs).
Antecedents of ElcHer Group
Our interuniversitary research team was set up in 1990 and since this time has developed a increasing activity in the scientific knowledge of artworks, archaeological objects and monuments, as well as in the development of analytical methods based on microscopy, spectroscopic, spectrometric, chromatographic and electrochemical techniques. Our research group was consolidated in 2011 in the frame of the activities of the Archeomlab microcluster Group (Valencia International Campus of Excellence).
The multi-technique analytical methodologies developed in successive R+D projects has been applied in a great number of case studies and R+D contracts carried enabling to resolve complex analytical problems relative to the characterization, dating and determination of alteration processes in artworks. The experience obtained has been significant and, at this moment, there is disposal of a wide database containing information relative to the artistic technique and state of conservation (remarking the more important alterations) of a great number of artworks belonging to Spanish painters from all artistic periods.
Despite a great deal of analytical studies are carried out on Spanish artworks, the experience obtained by our team has enabled to undertake studies applied by outstanding foreign and international companies and institutions and restoration companies so the team has developed analytical studies corresponding to monuments, archaeological sites and artworks worldwide: maya wall paintings from Yucatan, Campeche and Petén, blue and white ceramics from theTakht-e Soleyman palaces (Iran, 13th-15th centuries, Ilkhanian period), polychromed ceiling in the Mountain Dragon Temple in Taiwan (18th century, anonymous, ceramics from the ), rock paintings from the Janelão and Piolho de Urubu shelters in the Peruaçu valley (Minas Gerais, Brazil), ancient polychromed artworks from Tibet, paleochristian wall paintings of Lalibela (Etiopía), 17th-19th wall painting from Argentina, important Italian authors such as Cesare Arbassia, Girolano Francesco María Mazzola (Il Parmigianino), Giacomo Serpotta, among others.