European researchers from the Insidde, the Seventh Framework Programme (a European Union funded project) are working on the development of a graphene-based scanner, which can be used to reveal hidden aspects of artwork and other historic objects.
(a) Ceramic from the III century. (b) Setup for 3D acquisition with a structured light scanner. (c) 3D model resulting from raw data before post-processing.
The scanner will allow viewing concealed details on canvases, like preliminary sketches or former paintings, as well as the way brush strokes were done. This information can shed light on how great art was made, and also be helpful for conservators for the restoraion of paintings.
The scanner is still in its trial and calibration phase, but already shows impressive trial results. The researchers are also working to enable the scanner to generate images of sealed three-dimensional objects, by using a structured-light scanner along with the terahertz one. This could provide the ability to explore contents of sealed artifacts without harming them, which could prove priceless in many areas.
The scanner is mounted on a 1.50X1.50 metres table that is 1.20 metres high, and comprises of multiple heads which incorporate graphene emitters and receptors and can move three-dimensionally across the work area. Graphene is especially suited for this mission due to its function as a frequency multiplier of sorts. When submitted to electromagnetic waves, it behaves in a non-linear way and empinges a different, higher frequency than the one it is hit by. This allows researchers to emit, in the terahertz band, a band of frequencies lower than infrared but higher than the ones used in cell phones, filling a niche that is currently untapped.
In an attempt to go beyond the professional community and bring this revealation to the public, various means are developed - like an augmented reality app for mobile phones, for use in galleries and museums.