NCPTT develops and implements technologies to preserve cultural resources through research. They focus on understanding material properties and deterioration mechanisms to develop new conservation treatments. NCPTT studies issues like air pollution effects on limestone and compares cleaners for headstones. They also test new treatments for problems like graffiti removal. The organization offers opportunities for preservation scientists through a joint faculty position between NCPTT and Northwestern State University. This allows the chemist to conduct research at NCPTT and teach part-time, advancing preservation technology applications.

1. Research Opportunities in Preservation Technology

2. Cultural resources are lost everyday due to poor maintenance, disasters, destruction, or decay.

3. NCPTT develops and implements technologies to preserve cultural resources nationwide.

4. Without thorough understanding of material properties and behavior, more resources are lost.

5. Through the advancement of new conservation and preservation treatments, cultural resources can be preserved for future generations.

6. Find bright new scientists to develop and apply sound research and technologies to solve preservation problems.

7. Cultural resources are subjected to many agents of deterioration.

8. Well-meaning but inappropriate maintenance leads to loss of materials.

9. Natural decay goes unchecked from lack of understanding of chemical/physical properties.

10. Natural disasters have devastating effects on cultural resources.

11. Manmade destruction results from lack of understanding or appreciation of resources.

12. Materials Science and Chemistry are the building blocks for new preservation technologies.

13. New preservation technologies can result from pioneering research in a wide range of sciences.

14. Sometimes new technologies are being applied in other fields but have not been transferred to preservation.

15. Preservation technology offers researchers opportunities to learn more about cultural resources.

16. Limited funding and few preservation research facilities slow the preservation technology process.

17. NCPTT focuses on developing and applying preservation technologies to real world problems.

18. NCPTT studies pollution uptake on treated and untreated limestone.

19. Air pollution converts calcium carbonate to calcium sulfate.

20. Subsequent rains wash away the stone resulting in a “melting” of outdoor sculpture.

21. NCPTT uses its unique wind tunnel to measure deposition velocities of SO2 on limestone.

22. Results from this research are changing the thinking of conservators.

23. NCPTT compares cleaners for federally issued headstones.

24. NCPTT partners with the National Cemetery Administration to find gentler, cost effective cleaners for headstones.

26. Cleaners were evaluated based on appearance, biological re-growth, chemical changes and physical changes.

27. The interim report led to additional funding for two years.

28. NCPTT tests new treatments for graffiti removal.

29. Graffiti is a ubiquitous problem in cities across the nation.

30. It is particularly problematic when painted on porous materials such as stone.

31. NCPTT is comparing chemical, mechanical, and laser techniques for removing graffiti.

32. The resulting treatments are disseminated using new social media.

33. NCPTT explores traditional and modified limewash for historic buildings.

34. Cane River National Historical Park needed a traditional lime wash treatment with long term durability.

35. The team evaluated 11 lime washes using a variety of techniques.

36. Samples were artificially weathered using NCPTT’s QUV weathering chamber.

37. The work led to an award-winning publication and renewed interest in the use of limewash on historic structures.

38. NCPTT offers opportunities for new preservation scientists.

39. NCPTT is located in the oldest European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.

40. Natchitoches was founded c.1714 as a French military and trading post.

41. The town has a population of about 18,000.

42. Natchitoches is located on the Cane River Lake and near the Kisatchie National Forest.

43. Natchitoches is rich in cultural resources and includes a national historic landmark district.

44. NCPTT is on the campus of Northwestern State University.

45. NSU has a enrollment of about 9,000 students.

46. NSU has an active ACS student chapter which has received national accolades.

47. Eight students graduated in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in chemistry.

48. The average student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1.

49. NCPTT has a unique suite of facilities available for research.

50. The analytical lab includes IC, FTIR microscopy, among others.

51. The sample preparation and testing lab includes strength testing, sample prep equipment and a range of portable techniques.

52. NCPTT and NSU maintain a joint laser research facility to apply laser in preservation.

53. The environmental exposure facility houses the wind tunnel.

54. Through partnerships with NSU, NCPTT offers a joint faculty position.

55. This position provides part-time teaching in spring and fall.

56. The chemist enjoys half time research in spring and fall at NCPTT. Summers are full time for NCPTT research.

57. The position offers writing opportunities for technical and lay audiences.

58. The chemist develops original research ideas for application of science to preservation.

59. NCPTT has a new opportunity for a Ph.D. Chemist to enter the preservation field.

60. Without fresh new scientists entering the field, new preservation technologies will not advance.

61. Find bright new scientists to develop and apply sound research and technologies to solve preservation problems

62. You can make a difference in this field!