Research project P4S/251/MOSAIC (Research action P4S)
The MOSAIC project (Material Outcomes of Sorption Analysis in Interdisciplinary Conservation) addresses the critical need to quantify the physical and chemical impacts of hygrometric fluctuations on cultural heritage materials. Operating under the BELSPO P4Science mandate (12/2025-12/2030), this research drives a fundamental shift in preventive conservation, moving from static environmental guidelines to dynamic, real-time material analysis. The methodology employs a multi-sample Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) system, innovatively synchronized with in-situ Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution time-lapse imaging. This integrated framework captures the exact hygroscopic response of materials, such as porous stone, historic wood, and degrading polymers, when they reach critical moisture thresholds that trigger irreversible climate-induced mechanical damage. By mapping specific risk markers, including moisture-induced change and mechanical strain, MOSAIC will generate an open-access empirical dataset. These high-density data vectors can be used to train predictive models to identify material-specific environmental vulnerabilities. Ultimately, MOSAIC translates fundamental transport phenomena into actionable, evidence-based microclimate management strategies, equipping Federal Scientific Institutions (FSIs) and collection care professionals with tools to mitigate environmental degradation.
