Diagnóstico e Conservação de Cerâmica e Vidro

The main objective of this curricular unit (CU) is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their ability to evaluate and diagnose the state of conservation of glass and ceramic objects: identifying the pathologies that affect them, proposing series of preventive conservation measures, and possibly starting to outline a conservation and restoration proposal for objects composed of these materials. This CU is part of a set of CUs offered by the 1st cycle of studies of the DCR, where the diagnosis and conservation of various materials (stone, paint, metallic materials, photography, graphic documents and textiles) is studied.

In order to achieve these proposed objectives for the CU, students must learn the characteristics of different types of glass and ceramics, found by examining their chemical, optical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties. They must also learn about different methodologies used to characterize, recognize and distinguish the different materials. Students will also learn about the processes and causes of degradation of glass and ceramics. Here again, the methods of examination and analysis have to be briefly addressed, clarifying that they have multiple functions to help characterize the material, to help elucidate the production techniques used, and to help identify the causes and processes of degradation.

In addition to the essential training of practical skills, an integral and fundamental part of academic training is the research component. It is one of the fundamental roles of the Teacher to foster participation in conservation projects, symposia and lectures given by invited teachers and/or experts. Scientific research is a vital part of training at a Faculty of Science and Technology, which makes it necessary to show to students the possibility of pursuing a scientific career dedicated to research.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge, skills and competences that allow to:

-Have the knowledge and tools necessary to diagnose the state of conservation of ceramic and glass objects

-Know about different types of ceramics and glass, as well as chemical, optical, mechanical and thermomechanical properties, also learning about methodologies to characterize, recognize and distinguish different materials

-Know the degradation mechanisms of these materials and analytical techniques for their characterization

-Identify pathologies that affect these materials and their causes, proposing preventive conservation measures and outline a conservation and restoration proposal for these materials, thus deepening the important aspects for the decision-making process;

-Develop and complete a condition report

-Recognize the importance of research and constant updating of knowledge

-Work as a team and communicate the work in written and oral form

The proposed programme content is not all that is entailed in the students’ training, the development of other skills, so-called soft skills, is also part of the training process, such as:

- Ability to work as a team, but also to develop personal work and make decisions individually;

- Ability to structure their work, organizing and managing time to meet deadlines;

- Ability to structure written and oral communications;

- Ability to participate in presentations as a presenter and as part of an active audience.