Not many manuscript maps have been the object of material analysis so far. A portolan chart, sign... more Not many manuscript maps have been the object of material analysis so far. A portolan chart, signed and dated by Juan Vespucci in 1520, was studied in this research, conserved at the Archivo General de Indias in Seville (Spain). It is made on parchment and depicts the coasts and islands of Europe and Africa. It is the oldest portolan chart made in Seville, being unusual in applying hand stamp for decorative figures. The map was analysed by different non-invasive techniques: infra-red and ultraviolet light, digital microscope and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The main goals of this study were to identify the materials used, as well as to detect retouching or restoration work. Results showed that the entire parchment was first covered with a white layer made of lead white (Pb), calcite or gypsum (Ca). The principal pigments used were vermilion (Hg), yellow ochre (Fe), azurite (Cu) and a copper-based green pigment (Cu) and carbon black. The letters were probably written with an iron-gall i...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2002
Analysis of nitrogen in metallic materials using X-ray spectrometry (EDS, PIXE) is subjected to l... more Analysis of nitrogen in metallic materials using X-ray spectrometry (EDS, PIXE) is subjected to large errors due to two factors: the low nitrogen contents in the steels (usually below 0.3 wt.%) and the presence of interfering L-lines of the main metallic components (Fe, Cr, Ni,…). These factors prevent the use of SEM, TEM, micro-PIXE and other microanalytical techniques for the
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2010
Several fragments of a gilded railing were found in the archaeological excavations carried out in... more Several fragments of a gilded railing were found in the archaeological excavations carried out in Écija (Spain), among the remains of a collapsed temple. The alloy composition and the gilding procedure used for its manufacture are of interest for a complete archaeological knowledge of the artefact. The common use of IBA techniques directly on the objects for their analysis is not possible due to the thick corroded patinas that they exhibit due to the burial environment. However, non-destructive analyses of a few selected fragments have been done using PIXE and XRF techniques in combination with Gamma-Ray Transmission. Indeed, as was previously shown [1,2], bronze objects can be characterized in a completely non-destructive way using the combination of these techniques. This work, shows the applicability of that method to artefacts made of leaded copper alloy, which is the case of samples studied, for which some problems could arise from the lead segregations present in these kind of alloys. We have found that this railing contains low amounts of Sn and Sb, and that the gilding was most probably obtained using a gold leaf.
The synthesis of thin films of Ag-SiO2, Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2-SiO2 cermet materials is described. T... more The synthesis of thin films of Ag-SiO2, Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2-SiO2 cermet materials is described. The preparation method consists in a sol-gel process based in the dip-coating technique to obtain thin films of a composite material containing the oxidized metal and the corresponding ceramic material (TiO2 and/or SiO2). The films, prepared on quartz, were finally heated or irradiated to induce the
We have investigated by differential scanning calorimetry the thermal evolution of Cu/ Mg multila... more We have investigated by differential scanning calorimetry the thermal evolution of Cu/ Mg multilayers with different modulation lengths, ranging from 7 / 28 to 30/ 120 nm. The Cu and Mg layers were grown by sequential evaporation in an electron beam deposition system. The phase identification and layer microstructure were determined by cross-section transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering, and scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam for sample preparation. Upon heating, the intermetallic CuMg 2 forms at the interfaces until coalescence is reached and thickens through a diffusion-limited process. Cross-section transmission electron microscopy observations show a distinct microstructure at the top and bottom of the as-prepared Mg layers, while no significant differences were seen in the Cu layers. We show that this effect is responsible for the observed asymmetry in the nucleation process between the Cu on Mg and the Mg on Cu interfaces. By modeling the calorimetric data we determine the role of both interfaces in the nucleation and lateral growth stages. We also show that vertical growth proceeds by grain development of the product phase, increasing significantly the roughness of the interfaces.
Anatase phase of titanium oxide is the most promising photocatalyst material for organic pollutan... more Anatase phase of titanium oxide is the most promising photocatalyst material for organic pollutant degradation. However, due to its large band gap energy (3.2 eV) it is not viable to use sunlight as an energy source for the photocatalysis activation, and so, ultraviolet (UV) radiation below the wavelength of 380 nm is required. This paper focuses on the experimental demonstration of the reduction of this large band gap energy by inducing defects in the anatase structure under the form of oxygen sub-stoichiometry. TiO 2 thin films were prepared in a metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) reactor. The samples stoichiometry was measured by the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) technique. Optical characterisation was also performed and the photodegradation activity in the visible range was tested using nonylphenol, which is one of the most harmful pollutants present in waste waters.
Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific tech... more Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. The journal focuses on the results of the application of scientific methods to archaeological problems and debates. It will provide a forum for reviews and scientific debate of issues in scientific archaeology and their impact in the wider subject. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports will publish papers of excellent archaeological science, with regional or wider interest. This will include case studies, reviews and short papers where an established scientific technique sheds light on archaeological questions and debates.
Confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CXRF) is gaining considerable interest due to its ability to p... more Confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CXRF) is gaining considerable interest due to its ability to provide compositional and spatial information that are typically obtained using standard micro-invasive and/or micro-destructive techniques (e.g., SEM-EDX), without the need of sampling. In this work, the specifics of the new CXRF device named μXRF-CONCHA from the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores of the University of Seville will be presented. The development of this equipment is intended to the study in situ of paintings in order to obtain depth profiles of pictorial layers by a no-destructive way. This investigation consists in studying the viability of this device for the study of pictorial layers of old paintings. The challenge consists in determining if the results obtained allow distinguishing the sequence of the paint layer and their composition. Several experimental paint multilayers have been analyzed to evaluate this setup. This paper shows that μXRF-CONCHA will be able to provide important information in order to understand and interpret the choice, palette, and technique of painters from the past.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2015
ABSTRACT Archeological silver–copper pieces often show surface enrichments in silver, either inte... more ABSTRACT Archeological silver–copper pieces often show surface enrichments in silver, either intentional or fortuitous. When this happens, non-destructive techniques like PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) are not sufficient to access the whole bulk pieces because their penetration depths are typically of a few tens microns. If the archeological pieces cannot be cut or polished, it is necessary to apply other non-destructive techniques to access the bulk pieces. That way, archeological bronze pieces have been successfully studied combining XRF (or PIXE) with GRT (Gamma-Ray Transmission).
The anatase phase of TiO 2 is the most promising photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation... more The anatase phase of TiO 2 is the most promising photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation. However, due to the large anatase band gap energy the possibility of using visible sunlight as energy source for the photocalatysis activation is ruled out and ultraviolet (UV) radiation with a wave length below the critical limit is thus required. Inducing defects in the anatase crystalline structure in the form of oxygen substoichiometry may theoretically reduce this large band gap energy. This paper focuses on the determination of the stoichiometry of TiO 2 thin films and its influence on the photodegradation properties.
In some zones of Antarctica’s cold and dry desert, the extinction of cryptoendolithic microorgani... more In some zones of Antarctica’s cold and dry desert, the extinction of cryptoendolithic microorganisms leaves behind inorganic traces of microbial life. The extinction of these microorganisms is considered to be the best terrestrial analogue of the disappearance of possible life on early Mars. In the present study, sandstone rock samples from several sites of the Dry Valleys known to harbour
ABSTRACT For the past years, different therapies based on steroid hormone supplementation or modu... more ABSTRACT For the past years, different therapies based on steroid hormone supplementation or modulators of estrogen receptors have been used after menopause to prevent or manage osteoporosis. Although these treatments seem to be beneficial, they have some negative effects in the uterus and breast. The objective of this study was to assess variations for the concentrations of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se in uterine tissue of Wistar rats. Ovariectomized rats were subjected to estrogen, progesterone, raloxifene, and tibolone supplementation and compared with nonovariectomized control animals. Elemental contents determined by the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique revealed major alterations in Fe, Ca, Mn, and Se in the uterus of ovariectomized rats relative to control animals. After ovariectomy, a significant increase in Ca and Fe and a significant decrease in Mn and Se contents were determined in the uterus. For the ovariectomized groups in which animals received raloxifene, tibolone, estrogen, and estrogen combined with progesterone supplementation, an overall recovery in Mn, Fe, and Se contents was verified. Elemental concentration in the progesterone-supplemented group did not significantly differ from ovariectomized animals receiving placebo. The alterations found for ovariectomized animals receiving placebo and progesterone suggest tissue impairment and trace element imbalance, contrasting with the remaining supplemented groups where an enhancement of tissue activity might justify similar concentration levels relative to controls, because most of the elemental contents altered after ovariectomy.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2011
... E-mail The Corresponding Author , I. Ortega-Feliu a , E-mail The Corresponding Author , M.Á. ... more ... E-mail The Corresponding Author , I. Ortega-Feliu a , E-mail The Corresponding Author , M.Á. Ontalba-Salamanca f , E-mail The Corresponding Author and FJ Ager a , d , E-mail The Corresponding Author. a Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Avd. Thomas A. Edison, 7 Isla de ...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2003
... FJ Ager Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding Author , a , b , ... more ... FJ Ager Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding Author , a , b , MD Ynsa b , JR Domínguez-Solís c , MC López ... techniques, in this paper we study leaves of wild type and transgenic A. thaliana plants grown in a cadmium-rich environment under ...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2002
... a, Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Av. Thomas A. Edison s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain. b, Inst... more ... a, Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Av. Thomas A. Edison s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain. b, Instituto de Bioquı́mica Vegetal y Fotosı́ntesis, Av. ... [2] JR Domı́nguez-Solı́s, G. Gutiérrez-Alcalá, L. Romero and C. Gotor. J. Biol. Chem., 276 (2001), p. 9297. ...
Not many manuscript maps have been the object of material analysis so far. A portolan chart, sign... more Not many manuscript maps have been the object of material analysis so far. A portolan chart, signed and dated by Juan Vespucci in 1520, was studied in this research, conserved at the Archivo General de Indias in Seville (Spain). It is made on parchment and depicts the coasts and islands of Europe and Africa. It is the oldest portolan chart made in Seville, being unusual in applying hand stamp for decorative figures. The map was analysed by different non-invasive techniques: infra-red and ultraviolet light, digital microscope and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The main goals of this study were to identify the materials used, as well as to detect retouching or restoration work. Results showed that the entire parchment was first covered with a white layer made of lead white (Pb), calcite or gypsum (Ca). The principal pigments used were vermilion (Hg), yellow ochre (Fe), azurite (Cu) and a copper-based green pigment (Cu) and carbon black. The letters were probably written with an iron-gall i...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2002
Analysis of nitrogen in metallic materials using X-ray spectrometry (EDS, PIXE) is subjected to l... more Analysis of nitrogen in metallic materials using X-ray spectrometry (EDS, PIXE) is subjected to large errors due to two factors: the low nitrogen contents in the steels (usually below 0.3 wt.%) and the presence of interfering L-lines of the main metallic components (Fe, Cr, Ni,…). These factors prevent the use of SEM, TEM, micro-PIXE and other microanalytical techniques for the
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2010
Several fragments of a gilded railing were found in the archaeological excavations carried out in... more Several fragments of a gilded railing were found in the archaeological excavations carried out in Écija (Spain), among the remains of a collapsed temple. The alloy composition and the gilding procedure used for its manufacture are of interest for a complete archaeological knowledge of the artefact. The common use of IBA techniques directly on the objects for their analysis is not possible due to the thick corroded patinas that they exhibit due to the burial environment. However, non-destructive analyses of a few selected fragments have been done using PIXE and XRF techniques in combination with Gamma-Ray Transmission. Indeed, as was previously shown [1,2], bronze objects can be characterized in a completely non-destructive way using the combination of these techniques. This work, shows the applicability of that method to artefacts made of leaded copper alloy, which is the case of samples studied, for which some problems could arise from the lead segregations present in these kind of alloys. We have found that this railing contains low amounts of Sn and Sb, and that the gilding was most probably obtained using a gold leaf.
The synthesis of thin films of Ag-SiO2, Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2-SiO2 cermet materials is described. T... more The synthesis of thin films of Ag-SiO2, Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2-SiO2 cermet materials is described. The preparation method consists in a sol-gel process based in the dip-coating technique to obtain thin films of a composite material containing the oxidized metal and the corresponding ceramic material (TiO2 and/or SiO2). The films, prepared on quartz, were finally heated or irradiated to induce the
We have investigated by differential scanning calorimetry the thermal evolution of Cu/ Mg multila... more We have investigated by differential scanning calorimetry the thermal evolution of Cu/ Mg multilayers with different modulation lengths, ranging from 7 / 28 to 30/ 120 nm. The Cu and Mg layers were grown by sequential evaporation in an electron beam deposition system. The phase identification and layer microstructure were determined by cross-section transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering, and scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam for sample preparation. Upon heating, the intermetallic CuMg 2 forms at the interfaces until coalescence is reached and thickens through a diffusion-limited process. Cross-section transmission electron microscopy observations show a distinct microstructure at the top and bottom of the as-prepared Mg layers, while no significant differences were seen in the Cu layers. We show that this effect is responsible for the observed asymmetry in the nucleation process between the Cu on Mg and the Mg on Cu interfaces. By modeling the calorimetric data we determine the role of both interfaces in the nucleation and lateral growth stages. We also show that vertical growth proceeds by grain development of the product phase, increasing significantly the roughness of the interfaces.
Anatase phase of titanium oxide is the most promising photocatalyst material for organic pollutan... more Anatase phase of titanium oxide is the most promising photocatalyst material for organic pollutant degradation. However, due to its large band gap energy (3.2 eV) it is not viable to use sunlight as an energy source for the photocatalysis activation, and so, ultraviolet (UV) radiation below the wavelength of 380 nm is required. This paper focuses on the experimental demonstration of the reduction of this large band gap energy by inducing defects in the anatase structure under the form of oxygen sub-stoichiometry. TiO 2 thin films were prepared in a metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) reactor. The samples stoichiometry was measured by the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) technique. Optical characterisation was also performed and the photodegradation activity in the visible range was tested using nonylphenol, which is one of the most harmful pollutants present in waste waters.
Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific tech... more Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. The journal focuses on the results of the application of scientific methods to archaeological problems and debates. It will provide a forum for reviews and scientific debate of issues in scientific archaeology and their impact in the wider subject. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports will publish papers of excellent archaeological science, with regional or wider interest. This will include case studies, reviews and short papers where an established scientific technique sheds light on archaeological questions and debates.
Confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CXRF) is gaining considerable interest due to its ability to p... more Confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CXRF) is gaining considerable interest due to its ability to provide compositional and spatial information that are typically obtained using standard micro-invasive and/or micro-destructive techniques (e.g., SEM-EDX), without the need of sampling. In this work, the specifics of the new CXRF device named μXRF-CONCHA from the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores of the University of Seville will be presented. The development of this equipment is intended to the study in situ of paintings in order to obtain depth profiles of pictorial layers by a no-destructive way. This investigation consists in studying the viability of this device for the study of pictorial layers of old paintings. The challenge consists in determining if the results obtained allow distinguishing the sequence of the paint layer and their composition. Several experimental paint multilayers have been analyzed to evaluate this setup. This paper shows that μXRF-CONCHA will be able to provide important information in order to understand and interpret the choice, palette, and technique of painters from the past.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2015
ABSTRACT Archeological silver–copper pieces often show surface enrichments in silver, either inte... more ABSTRACT Archeological silver–copper pieces often show surface enrichments in silver, either intentional or fortuitous. When this happens, non-destructive techniques like PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) are not sufficient to access the whole bulk pieces because their penetration depths are typically of a few tens microns. If the archeological pieces cannot be cut or polished, it is necessary to apply other non-destructive techniques to access the bulk pieces. That way, archeological bronze pieces have been successfully studied combining XRF (or PIXE) with GRT (Gamma-Ray Transmission).
The anatase phase of TiO 2 is the most promising photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation... more The anatase phase of TiO 2 is the most promising photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation. However, due to the large anatase band gap energy the possibility of using visible sunlight as energy source for the photocalatysis activation is ruled out and ultraviolet (UV) radiation with a wave length below the critical limit is thus required. Inducing defects in the anatase crystalline structure in the form of oxygen substoichiometry may theoretically reduce this large band gap energy. This paper focuses on the determination of the stoichiometry of TiO 2 thin films and its influence on the photodegradation properties.
In some zones of Antarctica’s cold and dry desert, the extinction of cryptoendolithic microorgani... more In some zones of Antarctica’s cold and dry desert, the extinction of cryptoendolithic microorganisms leaves behind inorganic traces of microbial life. The extinction of these microorganisms is considered to be the best terrestrial analogue of the disappearance of possible life on early Mars. In the present study, sandstone rock samples from several sites of the Dry Valleys known to harbour
ABSTRACT For the past years, different therapies based on steroid hormone supplementation or modu... more ABSTRACT For the past years, different therapies based on steroid hormone supplementation or modulators of estrogen receptors have been used after menopause to prevent or manage osteoporosis. Although these treatments seem to be beneficial, they have some negative effects in the uterus and breast. The objective of this study was to assess variations for the concentrations of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se in uterine tissue of Wistar rats. Ovariectomized rats were subjected to estrogen, progesterone, raloxifene, and tibolone supplementation and compared with nonovariectomized control animals. Elemental contents determined by the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique revealed major alterations in Fe, Ca, Mn, and Se in the uterus of ovariectomized rats relative to control animals. After ovariectomy, a significant increase in Ca and Fe and a significant decrease in Mn and Se contents were determined in the uterus. For the ovariectomized groups in which animals received raloxifene, tibolone, estrogen, and estrogen combined with progesterone supplementation, an overall recovery in Mn, Fe, and Se contents was verified. Elemental concentration in the progesterone-supplemented group did not significantly differ from ovariectomized animals receiving placebo. The alterations found for ovariectomized animals receiving placebo and progesterone suggest tissue impairment and trace element imbalance, contrasting with the remaining supplemented groups where an enhancement of tissue activity might justify similar concentration levels relative to controls, because most of the elemental contents altered after ovariectomy.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2011
... E-mail The Corresponding Author , I. Ortega-Feliu a , E-mail The Corresponding Author , M.Á. ... more ... E-mail The Corresponding Author , I. Ortega-Feliu a , E-mail The Corresponding Author , M.Á. Ontalba-Salamanca f , E-mail The Corresponding Author and FJ Ager a , d , E-mail The Corresponding Author. a Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Avd. Thomas A. Edison, 7 Isla de ...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2003
... FJ Ager Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding Author , a , b , ... more ... FJ Ager Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding Author , a , b , MD Ynsa b , JR Domínguez-Solís c , MC López ... techniques, in this paper we study leaves of wild type and transgenic A. thaliana plants grown in a cadmium-rich environment under ...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2002
... a, Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Av. Thomas A. Edison s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain. b, Inst... more ... a, Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Av. Thomas A. Edison s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain. b, Instituto de Bioquı́mica Vegetal y Fotosı́ntesis, Av. ... [2] JR Domı́nguez-Solı́s, G. Gutiérrez-Alcalá, L. Romero and C. Gotor. J. Biol. Chem., 276 (2001), p. 9297. ...
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