Research

Piotr Targowski: research topics

Since 2003 my main research field is application of Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT) to the conservation science. This is a relatively new, but nevertheless well-established, technique that offers a unique possibility for determination and visualization of the inner structure of semi-transparent objects which weakly absorb and scatter light. It is non-contact, non-invasive and, most importantly, safe for the objects tested as long as the exposure is limited to a certain level [49, 62].
Specifically, our research concentrates on:

analysis of order and origin of semi-transparent layers like: varnishes, lacquers and glazes:
20, 26, 49, 55, 54, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, 71, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84, 87, 88, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99,
100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110
control of varnish ablation by OCT: 51, 54, 56, 57, 62, 65, 67, 72, 84, 89, 106,
analysis of structure and range of surface corrosion processes in historic and stained glass: 62, 66, 70, 73, 74, 77, 78, 80, 84, 93, 96
tracking of canvas deformation caused by climatic changes: 48, 60, 63, 64, 74
application of OCT to the profilometry of non-transparent objects: 26, 48
analysis of structure and degradation range of parchment 50, 54, 84, 93, 94

In our research we utilise also a macro-scanning XRF technique: 94, 96, 101, 108

List of papers

Research grants:

1996: Order fluctuations in lipid membranes – Grant NCU (UMK)
1999: Optical ordering of fluorescence probes in rigid matrices – Grant NCU (UMK)
2000: Application of holography to non-invasive examination of objects of art – Grant NCU (UMK)
2002: Application of coherent optics to non-invasive examination of objects of art – Grant NCU (UMK)
2003 – 2006: Optical coherence tomography for examination of objects of art – Grant from Polish Ministry of Science: (325 000 zł)
2004 – 2006: Increasing of spatial resolution of SOCT instrument – Grant from Polish Ministry of Science: 3 T11E 015 26 (40 000 zł)
2008 – 2009: Application of OCT to examination of artwork – Grant from the President of Nicolaus Copernicus University
2008 – 2011: OCT as a tool for conservation science – Grant from Polish Ministry of Science: N N105 331334 (264 000 zł)
2009 – 2014: CHARISMA(Cultural Heritage Advanced Research Infrastructures: Synergy for a Multidisciplinary Approach to Conservation/Restoration) – Participation in consortium of an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative of 7th Framework Programme EU (334 000 Euro of total budget 9 661 000 Euro)
2015 – 2019: IPERION CH (Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure ON Cultural Heritage) – Participation in consortium of HORISON 2020 Framework Programme EU (250 000 Euro of total budget 8 150 000 Euro)
2016 – 2020: E-RIHS PP (The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science - Preparatory Phase) – Participation in consortium of HORISON 2020 Framework Programme EU (120 000 Euro of total budget 4 000 000 Euro)
2020 – 2023: IPERION HS (Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure ON Heritage Science) – Participation in consortium of HORISON 2020 Framework Programme EU (129 000 Euro of total budget 6 300 000 Euro) as a leader of Polish node, together with AHG University of Mining and Technology, Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry PAS, and University of Warsaw as linked third parties

Co-operation (in Poland):

E-RIHS PL: Polish Distributed Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science
B. J. Rouba, M. Iwanicka, J. Olszewska-Świetlik, M. Pronobis-Gajdzis, D. Jutrzenka, J. Czuczko – Faculty of Fine Arts, NCU, Toruń
A. Rycyk, R. Ostrowski, W. Skrzeczanowski – Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology, Warszawa
M. Walczak – Academy of Fine Arts, Kraków
B. Łydżba-Kopczyńska – University of Wrocław, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław