University of Ljubljana

University of Ljubljana is largest and first ranked research university in Slovenia. Its member Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology has 200 staff and runs doctoral school Chemical Sciences for PhD students. Currently 75 PhD students train in different programmes, among them 15 PhD students in analytical chemistry. They get extensive expertise for managing complex analytical problems in a wide range of experimental techniques. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, and in particular the Chair of Analytical Chemistry has in the past 20 years developed an impressive suit of analytical tools and methodologies for use in material characterisation, specialising on heritage materials. UL is specialised in environmental analysis (particularly organic pollutants), in estimation of the effect of these pollutants on cultural heritage materials of organic origin (e.g. moveable cultural heritage), estimation of material stability, particularly oxidation of organic heritage materials, evaluation of antioxidants for use in conservation treatments, etc..

UL is an extremely reliable research partner, with a long track record in coordination and participation in international research projects on cultural heritage. It will participate in WP1 and WP5 with a number of reference analytical methods for characterisation of heritage materials (modern organic materials). Also, UL can participate with its expertise on environmental analysis, where passive sampling and instrumental analysis of pollutants can be provided. Expertise on results interpretation and creation of results database is also available.

Expertise and infrastructure related to the project

UL is an extremely reliable research partner, with a long track record in coordination and participation in international research projects on cultural heritage. The facilities to be used for the project include, among others, various chromatographic instruments (ion chromatography, HPLC-UV, GC-MS), passive sampling and extraction techniques (SPME, USAE, TDS), a system for production of an atmosphere with known pollutant concentrations and also chambers for accelerated aging of materials (under increased T, RH, presence of pollutants).