Soft Matter Materials and Their Application in Cultural Heritage Conservation

Archaeological Science Forum (Issue 64)

Soft Matter Materials and Their Application in Cultural Heritage Conservation

Speaker: Professor Wu Jinrong, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University

Moderator: Professor Sun Qun, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University

Lecture Abstract:

The precious ivory unearthed from Sanxingdui faces severe threats such as cracking and powdering due to rapid water loss once exposed to a new environment. How to provide rapid and effective emergency conservation is a pressing challenge in cultural heritage preservation. The Sanxingdui Cultural Relics Conservation Team at Sichuan University has developed a soft matter material that acts like a breathable "polymer skin," providing multiple layers of protection for the ivory, including precise humidification, pollution blocking, and mold inhibition. Based on this core technology, the team has developed a series of materials with functions such as shock resistance and adhesion, which can meet the diverse conservation needs of different cultural relics and have broad application potential.

In this lecture, Professor Wu Jinrong will systematically introduce the design concepts, mechanisms of action, and specific applications of these materials in cultural heritage conservation. Faculty and students interested in the interdisciplinary field of materials science and cultural heritage conservation are welcome to join the in-depth discussion.

Time: October 10, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Venue: Meeting Room 518, Second Section of the Liberal Arts Building, Jiang'an Campus, Sichuan University