SCIART: Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Art Research, with Theory and Education

在化学测量与成像项目的支持下，西北大学的Richard Van Duyne和George Schatz以及芝加哥艺术学院的Francesca Casadio博士试图开发新的分析和理论方法，以确定用于文化遗产材料的天然有机颜料和染料的分子结构，无论是原始的还是变质的。目标目标包括超高灵敏度、高空间分辨率、最小样本损伤、通用性和独立于参考库的识别。在多个空间尺度（微观到宏观）上寻求平面视图和横截面分子作图能力。深近红外（NIR; 800-1300 nm）激发表面增强拉曼光谱（SERS）将用于研究具有最小荧光和对珍贵艺术品最小损伤的颜料和染料。先进的理论方法将用于分子结构鉴定超越了色素库的限制。理论还将用于预测褪色着色剂可能的降解机制，并模拟等离子体纳米粒子及其组件的光学特性和最佳结构，以获得最大的SERS灵敏度。这些合作研究不仅会对纳米科学技术（包括等离子体/SERS）产生广泛的影响，而且还会为学生和博士后（包括代表性不足的群体成员）提供机会，以欣赏和参与艺术与科学之间的独特研究。这项工作包括利用与广泛认可的绘画和艺术作品相关的研究故事的视觉和媒体吸引力，向广泛的公众受众进行宣传。最后，pi将与AIC的博物馆教育部门合作，开发创新的材料和项目，以阐明科学探索与艺术互动体验之间的无数联系。具体来说，一个为期一周的青少年暑期强化课程（询问/设计）将被开发和广泛提供，重点是吸引芝加哥的少数民族学生。通过博物馆教育部的AIC学生计划部服务的广大公众和教师/学生的观众基础将成倍地提高这个科学/艺术项目的外延。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging program, Profs. Richard Van Duyne and George Schatz of Northwestern University, and Dr. Francesca Casadio of the Art Institute of Chicago, seek to develop new analytical and theoretical methods to determine the molecular structure of natural organic pigments and dyes, both original and deteriorated, used in cultural heritage materials. Targeted aims include ultrahigh sensitivity, high spatial resolution, minimum sample damage, generality, and independence from reference libraries for identification. Both plan-view and cross section molecular mapping capabilities are sought, at multiple spatial scales (micro to macro). Deep near infrared (NIR; 800-1300 nm) excited surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) will be developed to study pigments and dyes with minimum fluorescence and minimum damage to precious art works. Advanced theoretical methods will be used for molecular structure identification beyond the limitations of a pigment library. Theory will also be used to predict possible degradation mechanisms of faded colorants and to model optical properties and optimal structures of plasmonic nanoparticles and their assemblies to give maximum SERS sensitivity. These collaborative studies will have broad impact not only on nanoscale science and technology (including plasmonics/SERS), but from providing opportunities for students and postdocs (including members of underrepresented groups) to appreciate and engage in unique research at the interface between art and science. The work includes outreach to a wide public audience, using both the visual and media appeal of research stories tied to widely recognized paintings and works of art. Finally, the PIs will work with the AIC's Museum Education Department to develop innovative materials and programs that illuminate the myriad connections between exploration in the sciences and interactive experiences with art. Specifically, a one-week intensive summer course for teens (Inquire/Design) will be developed and offered broadly with an emphasis on attracting minority students in Chicago. The broad audience base in terms of general public and teachers/students served through the AIC's Student Program division of the department of Museum Education will exponentially enhance the outreach of this science/art program.