In ConsDistList Digest 31:62, Jim Lindner asks about the possibilities for non-aqueous pH testing on water-sensitive objects.
Unfortunately, pH is not defined in non-aqueous solutions, and a pH probe would not give a meaningful result in such a solution. However, there are proxy measurements which can give an indication of the pH of paper without the use of aqueous solutions or pH electrodes. One possibility is the SurveNIR machine, which was developed as part of an EU-funded research project. This uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to estimate the pH of a sample paper, based on a comparison with the NIR spectra of papers with a known pH. The machine will also give an estimate of other parameters such as lignin content, rosin content, degree of polymerisation - all of which are important for diagnosing the condition of paper and planning treatments. For more information, see: http://lichtblau-germany.com/SurveNIR_System.html and http://cordis.europa.eu/publication/rcn/13092_en.html Barry Knight Conservation Scientist St Albans England ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to consdistlist-le...@cool.conservation-us.org Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
