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Graffiti-free historic buildings
September 11, 2009Many a historic landmark is defaced with graffiti, but the spray paint can only be removed - if at all - using caustic solutions which risk damaging the underlying surface. A new breathable coating provides efficient, all-round protection against attacks by taggers.
It takes seconds to spray on graffiti, but hours or weeks to remove - especially from porous natural stone or brickwork as found in the majority of historic monuments. The paint penetrates deep into the pores from which it is impossible to remove, even with a pressure hose or multi-component solvents. Often the only answer, other than living with the graffiti, is to etch away a part of the wall. Special anti-graffiti polymer coatings have been on the market for several years. They create a hydrophobic seal that closes the pores, preventing the paint from adhering to the undersurface and allowing it to be wiped off. But as a result the building can no longer breathe, augmenting the risk of mold development or salt efflorescence. Because they cannot be removed easily, such coatings also run counter to the principles of conservation, which require that any changes must be reversible.
As part of an EU-sponsored project, Laschewsky's team and partners from the Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gliwice and Zabrze have developed a polymer coating that meets these requirements. "Our innovative polymer film seals the pores in the substrate, so that graffiti paint doesn't penetrate. But its micro-porous structure also creates a hydrophobic barrier that allows water vapor to escape from the building while at the same time preventing the infiltration of rainwater," says Laschewsky. The coating can be removed from the surface using a diluted brine solution which modifies its chemical composition and allows it to be washed off. Coordinated by the LABEIN Foundation in Spain and the german Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing the partners have coated samples of ancient stone and brick and repeatedly covered them with graffiti - which was removed completely each time.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Graffiti Current Events and Graffiti News RSSAswan Obelisk Quarry more than meets the eye
The unfinished Obelisk Quarry in Aswan, Egypt, has a canal that may have connected to the Nile and allowed the large stone monuments to float to their permanent locations, according to an international team of researchers. This canal, however, may be allowing salts from ground water to seep into what has been the best preserved example of obelisk quarrying in Egypt.
Toilet Graffiti Encourages Breast Self-Examination
New research shows that health information placed on public toilet doors - 'health graffiti' - encourages young women to breast self-examine. These findings represent an important step in the fight against breast cancer, which affects as many as 1 in 10 women at some point in their life. The research, carried out by a team of health psychologists from Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh will be presented today, Thursday 9 September 2004, at the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, hosted by Queen Margaret University College and taking place at Pollock Halls in Edinburgh. This new research shows that replacing the usual graffiti found in p
Should Stonehenge spiritualists get their say?
Research into sacred sites contests the stereotype of the "smellies" New research on Stonehenge and two other ancient monuments in the UK has called for 'alternative' groups, including Pagans, Druids, Heathens, and Wiccans to be allowed an active role in deciding what happens to the prehistoric sites. Research conducted by Dr Jenny Blain from Sheffield Hallam University and Dr Robert Wallis from the University of Southampton highlights how these groups use 'sacred' sites, such as Stonehenge. Preservation of the monuments and open access to them are just two of the key issues of dispute between heritage managers and these groups, also referred to as 'spiritual site-users.' Spiritual
Good School Buildings Can Boost Achievement
"Improving the quality of school buildings is essential if we are to succeed in raising achievement." David Blunkett, former Secretary of State for Education and Employment, 1997 The quality of school buildings can help or hinder learning and teaching, says a new study from London University`s Institute of Education. Well-designed buildings and pleasant surroundings lead to better behaviour (including attendance and concentration) and attitudes (such as motivation and self-esteem). These factors affect performance and attainment, according to UK and USA research cited in Building Education: The role of the physical environment in enhancing teaching and learning. Author Helen Clark says: "P
Belfast’s leisure facilities becoming `centres of fear` - University of Ulster research
Belfast`s leisure facilities are becoming centres of fear, a University of Ulster study has revealed. The research, by top human geographer Dr Peter Shirlow, showed that few people were prepared to cross perceived sectarian boundaries to use the City Council-owned leisure centres. He discovered that: 87% of those who lived in areas that were at least 90% Protestant or Catholic would not use a leisure facility in an area dominated by `the other side`. 74% of those who lived in the most segregated areas had never, since leaving school, used leisure facilities in areas dominated by the other religious grouping. 47% of those who lived in areas which were at least 90% Protestant or Catholic
Scientists call for new law on extremism
Scientists are demanding changes to the Criminal Justice and Police Bill being debated today (Monday 29 January) in the Commons. They are pressing the government to outlaw animal rights extremism and allow the police to arrest the organisers of the type of violent protests used against Huntingdon Life Sciences. RDS has identified 20 different terror tactics (see below) used by animal rights extremists. Dr Mark Matfield, Executive Director of RDS, which represents scientists working in animal research, said “Jack Straw’s current proposals only address four of these. We have been pressing the Home Office to take stronger action for months.” Dr Matfield continued “The c
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Armani Exchange Foil Graffiti T-Shirt by Armani Exchange |
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