Marco Nicola, Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino; Adamantio Srl Science in Conservation.

IDENTIFICATION AND VISUALIZATION OF EGYPTIAN BLUE USING MODIFIED NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

Egyptian blue is an ancient glass-ceramic material that became very popular as the first synthetic pigment ever used by humans. Developed over 5,000 years ago, it enjoyed widespread use for nearly four millennia before its popularity mysteriously declined during the Early Middle Ages. Recently, it has experienced a resurgence of interest, alongside related materials, due to its promising applications in fields such as sensors, sustainable energy, and medicine The renewed attention began in 1996 when scientists discovered the pigment's surprising ability to emit near-infrared (NIR) light when exposed to visible light. In 2013, researchers further expanded its potential by developing a method to exfoliate Egyptian blue into nanosheets, adding it to the growing family of two-dimensional nanomaterials. More recently, the discovery of its antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and unique optical, electrical, and magnetic characteristics has fueled even greater interest. The key to Egyptian blue's remarkable properties lies in its primary component: the stable crystalline compound CaCuSi4O10, i.e. the synthetic form of the rare mineral cuprorivaite.In this presentation, we will show the historical uses and fundamental properties of Egyptian blue as well as the potential of a new tool for the fast detection and mapping Egyptian blue within some prestigious
sites: (a) Egyptian findings at Museo Egizio, Turin; (b) underground Roman frescoes at Domus Aurea, Rome; and (c) Renaissance frescoes by Raphael, Triumph of Galatea and Loggia of Cupid and Psyche, at Villa Farnesina, Rome