FAS faculty members are invited to submit proposals for funding in support of interdisciplinary research endeavors that involve computing and data science. Projects should include a minimum of two FAS disciplines.
Eligibility: FAS faculty members
Budget: Up to $7,500
Application materials: Apply online. Please upload in a single PDF file: 1. Proposal including abstract (no more than 200 words), description of the proposed activity and the expected outcomes (no more than 1000 words), information on collaborator(s), budget and budget narrative (indicating the anticipated use of the requested funds and all funds sought or secured from other sources), and timeline; and 2. Official correspondence from external institutions, when available.
Application deadline: October 30; March 15
Contact: [email protected]
2025-26
- RESTOR 2: REflectance-based smart Sensor for the resTOration of aRtworks: from design to implementation
Antoine Ghauch, Department of Chemistry
Rida Assaf, Department of Computer Science
The enhancement of spectroscopic methods for sensing applications across various domains, from environmental to forensic fields, has long been of interest to the scientific community. In this context, we have designed and implemented a diffuse reflectance device, successfully tested on paint samples provided by the Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA) as part of a collaborative project initiated in 2022. Several configurations of reflectance probes were evaluated, including bifurcated optical fibers and separate irradiance-collection optical fibers. The results demonstrated the superior performance of separate optical fibers in improving sensitivity while ensuring excellent reproducibility, aided by the use of a 3D adjustable stage specifically adapted for reflectance measurements.
While further optimization of the device is possible, the current setup allows for satisfactory analyses, paving the way for the creation of a reference library from standard samples. This library will comprise spot tests for various paints used by art restoration specialists. The data will be digitized into an innovative software platform designed to identify the color components of artworks using the standard paints adopted by BeMA.
In addition to the chemistry involved in analyzing paint composition, the expertise of the computer science department is crucial for developing this software. To make the reflectance measurement data actionable, a calibration process is required to recommend the optimal combination of pigments for color restoration. Furthermore, the software will feature a user-friendly interface to facilitate easy characterization of color components during artwork restoration.