STUDY AND RESTORATION OF A RAPHAELESQUE COPY: THE MADONNA DEL VELO PAINTING FROM PALAZZO CHIAROMONTE IN PALERMO, ITALY

The article deals with the Raphael’s lost artwork Madonna del Velo, through the study of its copies ranging between the 16th and 19th century, and this allows us to reconstruct the original appearance of the lost image. The interest of this subject arose from one of these copies belonging to the art collection of the University of Palermo, stored in Palazzo Chiaromonte called ‘Steri’.

Keratin/alginate hybrid hydrogels filled with halloysite clay nanotubes for protective treatment of human hair

Keratin/alginate hydrogels filled with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been tested for the protective coating of human hair. Preliminary studies have been conducted on the aqueous colloidal systems and the corresponding hydrogels obtained by using Ca2+ ions as crosslinkers. Firstly, we have investigated the colloidal properties of keratin/alginate/HNTs dispersions to explore the specific interactions occurring between the biomacromolecules and the nanotubes. Then, the rheological properties of the hydrogels have been studied highlighting that the keratin/alginate interactions and the subsequent addition of HNTs facilitate the biopolymer crosslinking. Finally, human hair samples have been t…

Nanofibroina e composizioni che la contengono e sue applicazioni in cosmetica

Metodo per la preparazione di nanocompositi antibatterici

La presente invenzione riguarda un materiale polimerico con proprietà antibatteriche e antifungine, detto materiale polimerico avente adeso sulla sua superficie un nanomateriale costituito da nanotubi di allosite (HNTs) antimicrobici. Un tale materiale polimerico antimicrobico/antifungino viene preparato attraverso l’applicazione di un metodo procedurale semplice ed economico. Oltre che l’evidente applicazione in campo biomedicale, le caratteristiche metodologiche di questa invenzione ne consentono la diffusione in vari ambiti applicativi comuni, come ad esempio l’active food packaging. Il trattamento proposto prevede 10 l’introduzione di una modifica solo superficiale del PVC e può quindi …

The Essential Oil of

Many chemicals used nowadays for the preservation of cultural heritage pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Thus, it is desirable to find new and eco-friendly biocides that can replace the synthetic ones. In this regard, plant essential oils represent effective alternatives to synthetic substances for the preservation of historical monuments. Thymbra capitata (syn. Thymus capitatus) is a medicinal and aromatic plant growing in the Mediterranean area and endowed with important pharmacological properties related to its essential oil. Among them, the antimicrobial ones make the T. capitata essential oil an ideal candidate for industrial applications; for instance, as biocide f…

Composition for use in the finishing, preservation, restoration of manufactures

An aqueous composition comprising chitosan and fibroin nanoparticles, with a diameter equal or lower than 140 nm, and an acid agent, with pH equal or lower than 6, and viscosity equal or lower than 3.5 kg × m−1 × s−1 measured at 25.0±0.1 °C, kit and method for finishing and/or preservation and/or restoration and/or renovation and/or repairing and/or consolidation of manufactures, in particular ancient manufactures are disclosed.