This research aims to evaluate the mechanical stability of 3D printed materials used in preservation and access activities. Digital scanning and printing technologies are finding increased use by cultural institutions as they offer new opportunities to reduce the risk of damage to objects during treatment and exhibition preparation by enabling custom-tailored solutions in minimally invasive ways. While 3D printing offers improved efficiencies and outcomes for certain applications, the mechanical and chemical stability of printed materials used in these contexts remains understudied. This project will assess mechanical properties of 3D printed materials exposed to changing environments and as they apply to three major areas of use in preservation and access, namely i) dimensional change of 3D printed materials used for object infills, ii) creep behavior of 3D printed mounts, and iii) damping properties of 3D printed materials in response to dynamic loads.

This research project will study the relationship between equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and the physical stability of plastics and plastic composite artifacts found in museums. Objects such as modern and contemporary artworks, design, fashion, and ethnographic items often include plastics, as do the storage materials used for photographs. The project team will use multiple types of analyses, including a case study, to assess the effect of microscopic changes in humidity on the physical structure of two types of plastics commonly found in museum collections. The project will establish safe preservation and handling conditions for these plastics, specifically temperature and relative humidity. Findings will be shared through journal articles, conference presentations, and a web publication.

Museums are experiencing an increased presence of 3D printed objects in collections and higher instances of use in preservation activities. The diversity of 3D printed materials presents a major challenge to collections stewardship given that few studies have investigated the preservation of 3D printed objects, let alone identified the extent of material variety found within museums. This project will consist of 1) a national survey to identify critical preservation challenges associated with 3D printed materials and technologies found in museums, 2) interviews with 3D printing industry leaders to inform a web-based resource that will support preservation of 3D printed objects in museums, and 3) the creation of a 3D printed study collection to support continued research and educational opportunities. These resources will provide a platform for the development of preservation guidelines and will be made available for free from the IPI website, immediately benefiting the global community of museum professionals responsible for preserving objects created by these emerging technologies.

Energy-saving strategies for mechanical system operations such as temporary system shutdowns, fan speed adjustments, and outside air reduction are proven effective ways to maintain or improve the preservation quality of a collection environment while reducing the financial burden and carbon footprint of a collecting institution. However, current criteria guiding safe implementation of energy-saving strategies focus on temperature and relative humidity alone, which ignores the significant risk to collections posed by outdoor and indoor-generated pollutants. This project will address that problem by developing a methodology for monitoring room-level pollutant concentrations while implementing these energy-saving strategies and then analyzing that data to quantify and respond to risks.

This three-year research project will explore the most cost-efficient and environmentally responsible methods of preparing paper-based collection objects for transit and display while also maintaining preservation standards. The project will include both field and laboratory research. The project team will collect environmental data from multiple museums’ shipping crates simultaneously. Laboratory experimentation will include testing the safety and relative humidity buffering capacity of crate packing materials and methods, and varied microenvironment-sealed frame package designs used to protect objects during transit and display. Guidelines from this project will be useful to all museums with exhibition and loan programs and have the potential to reduce the cost and material waste associated with thousands of museum objects prepared annually for transit and display.

A preservation research needs assessment that includes online surveys and in-person working meetings to engage and solicit feedback from collections staff, preservation researchers, and conservation educators will identify research priorities recognized in the field and inform research program planning. A financial assessment, in collaboration with nonprofit management consultants, that evaluates current and potential financial scenarios at IPI will inform strategic planning and growth that best balances mission-driven activities and financial resources. The knowledge and skills gained through all the proposed assessment activities will strengthen existing staff skills and inform future assessments and planning processes beyond the project period.

This project will build on previous work to finalize salvage techniques for inkjet-printed collection materials following water emergencies. Experiments will compare the full history of inkjet print types across freezing rates and drying methodologies. The data will form the basis of best practices needed to effectively respond to water emergencies large or small. Results will be submitted to conferences and journals, made available on IPI’s existing Digital Print Preservation Portal website, and integrated into ongoing education initiatives. Results will also be condensed into a printed, waterproof, one-page visual aid to provide simplified guidance during these catastrophic events. The project will benefit museums, libraries, archives, galleries, photographers, and the general public; maximize our nation’s collective ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover inkjet-printed materials during water emergencies; and address the IMLS Strategic Plan Goal for Collections Stewardship.

The potential for deterioration caused by moisture content exists in storage and access scenarios. This research will strengthen our understanding of the complex interactions between hygroscopic collection materials and their environment in response to temperature changes. Data collected has the potential to 1) determine the storage density necessary to effectively have hygroscopic materials control their moisture content, 2) provide a roadmap for controlling moisture content during periods of dryness and dampness, and 3) create a guide for temperature and relative humidity ranges that avoid mechanical damage during access and use. The results of this project have the potential to inform new sustainable preservation and access strategies for both large and small humanities research collections.

One of the most frequent questions asked by rare book curators and librarians is: “At what RH, especially with respect to dry conditions, does a serious risk of irreversible mechanical stress occur?” Mechanical (physical) damage due to dryness or excessive dampness is the principal reason why special collection materials require controlled environmental conditions. For many years, recommendations have emphasized close control around a target of 45-55% RH. What is not well established from actual experimentation, however, are the practical limits where irreversible damage takes place. This area of research—safe limits for RH—has received considerable attention in the fine and decorative arts, but not for the complex and diverse mechanical structures of bound volumes. To overcome the difficulty of studying mechanical behavior of complex book structures IPI will employ a new technology, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to dynamically assess expansion and contraction of composite objects.