The Boom in Nanomaterials for Built Heritage Conservation: Why Does Size Matter?

There is no doubt that nanotechnology and nanoscience open new doors to new applications and products that can potentially revolutionize the practice field and how we conserve built heritage materials. However, we are living at the beginning of this era and the potential benefits of nanotechnology to specific conservation practice needs are not always fully understood. This opinion/review paper aims to present reflections and answer a question that we are often asked when working directly with stone field conservators: why should we use a nanomaterial instead of a conventional product? Why does size matter? To answer this question, we revise the basic concepts of nanoscience with implications for the built heritage conservation field.

Effectiveness and durability of anti-graffiti products applied on ETICS: towards a compatible and sustainable graffiti removal protocol.

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are widely used constructive solutions which aim at enhancing the building thermal performance. Nevertheless, ETICS can often present anomalies (e.g.

Advances in Nanolime and Other Nanomaterials for Built Heritage Conservation.

This Special Issue examines the synthesis, characterization, and manufacturing of nanoparticles and their potential advantages and applications for the conservation of built cultural heritage materials [...

Durability assessment of external thermal insulation composite systems in urban and maritime environments.

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are multilayer solutions which provide an enhanced thermal performance to the building envelope. However, significant anomalies can be detected on ETICS facades, in some cases shortly after the application of these systems. This study intends to evaluate and compare the durability of six commercially available ETICS after two years of outdoor exposure at both urban and maritime conditions in Portugal.

Bioguided isolation of a selective compound from Calea phyllolepis leaves against breast cancer cells.

Plants of the Calea genus have been reported to contain lipophilic compounds, such as sesquiterpene lactones, with cytotoxic effect against different cancer cell lines. The aim of this manuscript was to investigate the chemical profile and cytotoxic activity of different fractions from Calea phylolepis leaves on different human cancer cell lines. The fractions were prepared using solvent extraction of increasing polarity, yielding hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Cav extract using human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.

is a weed thought to have originated in Brazil, where it is present in abundant quantities, but also this plant is also found in south-central Florida, Indian Ocean Islands, and the Pacific Islands. produces neurotoxicity that adversely affects livestock breeding with heavy animal losses and consequent negative impact on Brazil's economy. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical profile, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of ethanolic extracts of collected in winter (leaf extract) and summer (leaf extract and leaf + flower extract) using an model of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y.

Microstructural characterization of consolidant products for historical renders: an innovative nanostructured lime dispersion and a more traditional ethyl silicate limewater solution.

The conservation and durability of historical renders must be carried out through compatible techniques and materials. An important operation is the restitution of historical renders cohesion, turned friable by the loss of binder, usually due to physical and/or chemical actions. Surface consolidation is based on the use of materials with aggregating properties.