Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2014 -- Conservation science is helping make big decisions about preservation methods to protect and save unique and historic U.S. government records—including the iconic and priceless Declaration of Independence—for future generations.

During the AVS 61st International Symposium & Exhibition, being held Nov. 9-14, 2014, in Baltimore, Md., Jennifer Herrmann, a research chemist and conservation scientist for the National Archives and Records Administration, will describe the role science plays in the preservation of the nation's documents.

The National Archives and Records Administration serves as the nation's record keeper and is tasked with preserving the federal government's priceless and most important records.

"Our records include parchment, paper, film and a wide variety of other types of objects," explained Herrmann. "Beyond the types of materials, we're concerned with preserving the information contained within documents, books, maps, photographs, movies and even 3-D objects -- both in terms of the information and as a historical piece so that the information and object can be accessed by future generations."

Herrmann's work involves working closely with archivists and conservators to examine the records with analytical tools, as well as by applying basic scientific concepts. "In some cases, we use high-tech instruments such as X-ray fluorescence to identify and characterize an unknown. We also frequently run quick chemical tests to confirm the presence or absence of a particular compound," she said.

To test materials used to "house" their records, it's necessary to ensure lignin -- an organic substance that can cause damage to paper -- isn't present within any boxes or folders. "We can do a phloroglucinol test to quickly identify lignin. If it's present, a drop of chemical turns a raspberry pink color on the housing material, whereas it may turn a slight yellow in color and show no other reaction if it isn't present," Herrmann said. "This is a test we use only on housing materials, not records."

When analyzing records, Herrmann and colleagues use only nondestructive techniques. An X-ray fluorescence experiment might be used, for example, to determine whether a photograph is platinum or silver, or even a silver photograph toned with platinum.

"To do this, we'd use X-ray fluorescence to identify the elements present in the photograph, and then based upon the chemical identification and the known historic processes, we could confirm the type of photograph so conservators can determine its correct conservation and preservation requirements," Herrmann noted.

One example of the type of conservation work being done by the Archives is its effort to protect the Declaration of Independence. About a decade ago, this priceless document, along with the other Charters of Freedom, needed "to be re-encased within a humidified argon environment to limit degradation being caused by oxygen. Special glass and light filters were integrated into its display case to minimize further fading," said Herrmann.

By creating environments built specifically to preserve, protect and exhibit these documents, "we're helping to ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to see and experience the Charters of Freedom," she said. "Even when the documents aren't protected with high technology, we strive to ensure that all of our records are in a safe environment -- whether during storage or exhibit, or when accessible within our research rooms."

Presentation #CS-ThM3, "Conservation Science at the National Archives: Science in Support of the Preservation of the Records of the Federal Government" is at 8:40 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014.

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MORE ABOUT THE AVS 61st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM & EXHIBITIONThe symposium takes place from November 9-14 at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is located at One West Pratt Street in Baltimore, Maryland, 21201. The headquarters hotel is the Sheraton Inner Harbor at 300 South Charles Street in Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

USEFUL LINKSMain symposium website: http://www.avs.org/Meetings-Exhibits/Information Technical Program: http://www.avssymposium.org/Media Center: https://www.avs.org/About/Press-Media-Center Baltimore Convention Center: http://www.bccenter.orgSheraton Inner Harbor: http://www.sheratoninnerharbor.com

PRESSROOMThe AVS Pressroom will be located in the Charles Street Lobby Staff Office of the Baltimore Convention Center. Pressroom hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Your press badge will allow you to utilize the pressroom to write, interview, collect new product releases, review material, or just relax. The press badge will also admit you, free of charge, into the exhibit area, lectures, and technical sessions, as well as the Welcome Mixer at 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday in Ballroom III of the Baltimore Convention Center and the Awards Ceremony and Reception at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night in Ballroom I-II of the Baltimore Convention Center.

To request free press registration, please contact Jason Socrates Bardi at [email protected] and Della Miller at [email protected].

ABOUT AVSFounded in 1953, AVS is a not-for-profit professional society that promotes communication between academia, government laboratories, and industry for the purpose of sharing research and development findings over a broad range of technologically relevant topics. Its symposia and journals provide an important forum for the dissemination of information in many areas of science and technology, enabling a critical gateway for the rapid insertion of scientific breakthroughs into manufacturing realities. See: http://www.avs.org/About

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