Art Institute of Chicago

Revealing secrets of the past—nanoscale engineering gave historic glaze its iridescence

By Lisa McDonald / May 13, 2022

As new analysis methods are developed and refined, researchers can illuminate the science behind past techniques that were designed through trial and error. A group led by researchers from the California Institute of Technology used advanced analytical techniques to show how nanoscale engineering gave a historic purple overglaze its distinctive iridescence.

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Glass reacts to shifts in sun, wind to show that a window can be both beautiful and smart

By Jessica McMathis / October 28, 2014

Much like a kaleidoscope, Dutch designer Simon Heijdens’s smart window creates a glittering display of light that shifts based on the movement of sunlight and wind.

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New $2.5M landmark conservation science institute to be established for the arts

By Eileen De Guire / February 12, 2013

Art Institute of Chicago art conservation scientist, Francesca Casadio, explains to delegates at the 2012 ICC4 meeting a project that investigated the enamel paints used in Pablo Picasso’s The Red Chair painting.…

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Photoblog from the ICC4

By / July 22, 2012

  A typical plenary session at Fourth International Congress on Ceramics, which just concluded in Chicago. Credit: ACerS. To wrap up our coverage of the Fourth International Congress on Ceramics,…

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The ICC4 gala, art included.

By Bobby Harl / July 19, 2012

Francesca Casadio talks to the ICC4 participants about her research on Picasso’s materials. Credit: Bobby Harl, ACerS. Wednesday night has arrived, the night of the ICC4 gala. When I was…

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ICC4 Day 4

By Lee Leonard / July 19, 2012

David Bem, global R&D director of Dow Chemical spoke to the ICC4 audience about Dow’s approach to materials innovations. Credit: Russell Lee Leonard, ACerS. Wednesday was another busy day at the…

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