Browsing by Author "Salvemini, F"

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    The 1st ANSTO-AINSE Workshop on Nuclear Techniques for Cultural Heritage
    (Taylor & Francis Online, 2019-05-24) Salvemini, F; White, R; McIntyre, GJ; Bevitt, JJ; Cubbin, K
    No abstract available.
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    Characterization of the residual stresses introduced by a new joining method in diamond and tungsten carbide composites
    (Curran Associates, Inc., 2019-05-29) Lavigne, O; Luzin, V; Mendez, M; Malik, AS; Rosas-Carrasco, O; Salvemini, F
    In this work, a co-sintering method was used to attach diamond to cemented carbide composites. The joining method consists of sintering a green part (ring) of cemented carbide (CC) around a thermally stable diamond composite (TSDC) part (plug) to radially contain it. During the sintering step, the green body shrinks to a controlled level and therefore forms interference fit between the two parts (mismatch between the inner diameter (ID) of the CC ring and the outer diameter (OD) of the TSDC cylinder). The residual stresses induced by this process as well as the bond strength between the CC and the TSDC parts were quantitatively evaluated. It is shown that the interface pressure between the two parts, and the level of residual stresses, increased with increase in the designed interference fit, as well as with the increase of the ID/OD ratios of the CC ring. For the chosen material combination (cemented carbide ring comprised 90 vol% WC and 10 vol% Co with medium coarse WC grains; diamond composite plug comprised 84 vol% diamond and 16 vol% SiC), the values of the hoop stresses at the interface in the CC ring measured by neutron diffraction was determined to be between 150 MPa and 550 MPa, depending on the ID/OD ratio. It was also found that for a given ID/OD ratio, the increase of the designed interference fit had little effect on that attained due to the plastic deformation of the cemented carbide material at the interface during the sintering (dynamic) process. A mechanical bond around 60 MPa was nevertheless achieved.
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    Cultural heritage project at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
    (Springer Nature, 2022-01-25) Salvemini, F; White, R; Levchenko, VA; Smith, AM; Pastuovic, Z; Stopic, A; Luzin, V; Tobin, MJ; Puskar, L; Howard, DL; Davis, J; Avdeev, M; Gatenby, S; Kim, MJ; Grazzi, F; Sheedy, K; Olsen, SR; Raymond, CA; Lord, C; Richards, C; Bevitt, JJ; Popelka-Filcoff, RS; Lenehan, CE; Ives, S; Dredge, P; Yip, A; Brookhouse, MT; Austin, AG
    The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) is the home of Australia’s most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research. ANSTO operates one of the world’s most modern nuclear research reactors, OPAL; a comprehensive suite of neutron beam instruments; the Australian Synchrotron; the Electron Microscope Facility; and the Center for Accelerator Science. Over the years, the suite of nuclear methods available across ANSTO’s campuses has been increasingly applied to study a wide range of heritage materials. Since 2015 the strategic research project on cultural heritage was initiated in order to promote access to ANSTO’s capabilities and expertise, unique in the region, by cultural institution and researchers. This chapter offers a compendium of ANSTO nuclear capabilities most frequently applied to cultural heritage research. A series of innovative, interdisciplinary, and multi-technique studies conducted in close collaboration with Australian museums, institutions, and universities is also showcased. It includes research on dating Aboriginal Australian rock art and fingerprinting the sources of ochre pigments; rediscovering the technological knowledge in the making of early coinage and ancient weapons; virtually unwrapping the content of votive mummies from ancient Egypt; and investigating and restoring the original layer of a painting that can be explored by the museum audience in a novel type of exhibition based on an immersive, interactive, and virtual environment. © 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
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    Energy-resolved neutron imaging options at a small angle neutron scattering instrument at the Australian Center for Neutron Scattering
    (AIP Publishing, 2019-03-26) Tremsin, AS; Sokolova, AV; Salvemini, F; Luzin, V; Paradowska, AM; Muránsky, O; Kirkwood, HJ; Abbey, B; Wensrich, CM; Kisi, EH
    Energy-resolved neutron imaging experiments conducted on the Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) instrument, Bilby, demonstrate how the capabilities of this instrument can be enhanced by a relatively simple addition of a compact neutron counting detector. Together with possible SANS sample surveying and location of the region of interest, this instrument is attractive for many imaging applications. In particular, the combination of the cold spectrum of the neutron beam and its pulsed nature enables unique non-destructive studies of the internal structure for samples that are opaque to other more traditional techniques. In addition to conventional white beam neutron radiography, we conducted energy-resolved imaging experiments capable of resolving features related to microstructure in crystalline materials with a spatial resolution down to ∼0.1 mm. The optimized settings for the beamline configuration were determined for the imaging modality, where the compromise between the beam intensity and the achievable spatial resolution is of key concern. © 2020 AIP Publishing LLC
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    Imaging the past: recent applications of neutron imaging in archaeometry
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2016-11-29) Salvemini, F
    The study of metal artefacts of archaeological, historical and cultural interest can shed light on the most advanced manufacturing processes developed by different cultures over time. Scientist need to treat them with care and must avoid damage, including the acceleration of any natural ageing process, so that we can pass on the artefacts to future generations. The cultural heritage community is well aware of the benefits of non-invasive scientific methods. This approach has been progressively established as common practice in archaeomtery and conservation science. Neutron imaging is playing a significant role in expanding the technical limits and investigation capabilities of standard analytical methods due to its well-known features of high a penetration power and its different interaction with matter, compared, for example, with the analogous X-ray imaging. While traditional analytical techniques might fail to preserve the integrity of the objects, neutron imaging methods can be successfully used to characterize the structure, morphology and composition of metal artworks three-dimensionally without the need for sampling or invasive procedures. These physical properties of an artefact are the imprint of its manufacturing process and of its life cycle. They can be convincingly reconstructed through a careful analysis of the material evidence. In collaboration with museum institutions and university research groups, archaeometric investigations have been recently conducted by using the neutron imaging beamline DINGO at ANSTO. A selection of case studies will be presented.
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    Industrial application experiments on the neutron imaging instrument DINGO
    (Elsevier, 2017-01-01) Garbe, U; Ahuja, Y; Ibrahim, R; Li, HJ; Aldridge, LP; Salvemini, F; Paradowska, AM
    The new neutron radiography / tomography / imaging instrument DINGO is operational since October 2014 to support the area of neutron imaging research at ANSTO. The instrument is designed for a diverse community in areas like defense, industrial, cultural heritage and archaeology applications. In the field of industrial application it provides a useful tool for studying cracking and defects in concrete or other structural material. Since being operational we gathered experience with industrial applications and commercial customers demanding beam time on DINGO. The instrument is a high flux facility with is 5.3 × 107 [n/(cm2s)] (confirmed by gold foil activation) for an L/D of approximately 500 at HB-2. A special feature of DINGO is the in-pile collimator position in front of the main shutter at HB-2. The collimator offers two pinholes with a possible L/D of 500 and 1000. A secondary collimator separates the two beams by blocking one and positions another aperture for the other beam. The neutron beam size can be adjusted to the sample size from 50 × 50 mm2 to 200 × 200 mm2 with a resulting pixel size from 27 μm to ∼100 μm. The whole instrument operates in two different positions, one for high resolution and one for high speed. We would like to present our first experience with commercial customers, scientific proposals with industrial applications and how to be customer ready. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.
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    An insight into a Shang dynasty bronze vessel by nuclear techniques
    (MDPI, 2023-01-25) Salvemini, F; Patuovic, Z; Stopic, A; Kim, MJ; Gatenby, S
    A bronze wine vessel attributed to 1600–1046 B.C., Shang dynasty in China, an object from the East Asian Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney (Australia), was studied using a non-destructive scientific analytical protocol based on the synergic combination of nuclear techniques. Gamma spectrometry, neutron-computed tomography, and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy were applied to gain a better insight into the structural and compositional features of the artefact to prove its authenticity. Gamma spectrometry was performed to assess the risk of excessive sample activation induced by long exposure to the neutron beam and to determine the bulk elemental composition. Based on neutron-computed tomography, the porosities and the thickness of the metal wall were evaluated and found consistent with the piece-mould casting technology adopted by craftsmen during the Shang dynasty in China. Finally, PIXE spectroscopy demonstrated the use of a ternary (copper–tin-leaded) alloy and the nature of mineralisation on the surface. © 2023 The authors.
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    Investigating methods of minting ancient Greek silver plated copper coins: studies in neutron tomography, texture and phase analysis
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-05-11) Salvemini, F; Olsen, SR; Luzin, V; Sheedy, K
    Neutron tomographic, texture and phase analyses undetaken on the Neutron Beam Instruments Dingo, Kowari and Echidna have been employed to investigate plated silver coins minted in Athens and in the Greek colonies of Kroton and Metapontum (Southern Italy) during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The investigation aims to define the plating method by characterising the manufacturing conditions and morphological and structural features of the specimens. Thickness maps of the silver plating and porosity give an indication on the similarity of the production techniques. The texture analysis gives an indication on the mechanical processes and temperature under which these coins were struck. The status of these coins is uncertain: were they official issues by state-authorities during periods of silver shortages or the product of ancient or modern counterfeiters? © The authors.
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    A multi-technique investigation of the incuse coinage of Magna Graecia
    (Elsevier, 2018-08-01) Salvemini, F; Sheedy, K; Olsen, SR; Avdeev, M; Davis, J; Luzin, V
    This paper focuses on the application of different neutron techniques to characterize the manufacturing process of ‘incuse’ coins minted by Greek colonies in Southern Italy during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. In order to provide an insight into incuse coinage minting, numismatic and historical studies were combined with metallurgical research based on non-destructive neutron diffraction, neutron texture analysis and neutron tomography. The most significant scientific data collected during our campaign of investigation will be showcased. Crown Copyright © 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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    Neutron diffraction texture analysis for numismatics
    (The Royal Numismatic Society, 2020) Luzin, V; Sheedy, K; Olsen, SR; Salvemini, F; Avdeev, M
    Neutron diffraction analysis has emerged as a powerful, non-invasive, non-destructive method in the field of numismatics. In this chapter we report on some preliminary results from the Incuse Coinage Project which explores methods employed by city-states in South Italy to produce a very distinctive regional form of silver currency, incuse coinage, during the sixth and fifth centuries BC. In order to understand what makes these minting procedures unique it is necessary to obtain data from incuse as well as non-incuse coinages, and we report on studies of twelve coins from mints in different cities and from different eras. Neutron texture and phase analyses can provide an insight into the processing of the metal during the production of coinage.
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    Neutron imaging applications on DINGO at OPAL
    (International Conference on Neutron Scattering, 2017-07-07) Garbe, U; Paradowska, AM; Salvemini, F
    The new neutron radiography / tomography / imaging instrument DINGO is operational since October 2014 to support research at ANSTO. It is designed for a broad national and international scientific user community and for routine quality control for defence, industrial, cultural heritage and archaeology applications. In the field of industrial application it provides a useful tool for studying cracking and defects in concrete or other structural material. Since being operational we gathered experience in various scientific areas, with industrial applications and commercial customers demanding beam time on DINGO. The measured flux (using gold foil) for an L/D of approximately 500 at HB-2 is 5.3 x 10 [n/cm2s], which is in a similar range to other facilities. A special feature of DINGO is the in-pile collimator position in front of the main shutter at HB-2. The collimator offers two pinholes with a possible L/D of 500 and 1000. A secondary collimator separates the two beams by blocking one and positions another aperture for the other beam. The neutron beam size can be adjusted to the sample size from 50 x 50 mm to 200 x 200 mm2 with a resulting pixel size from 27μm to ~100μm. The whole instrument operates in two different positions, one for high resolution and one for high speed. We would like to present our first experience with scientific proposals and commercial customers with industrial applications.
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    Neutron imaging for calculating hydrogen diffusivity in polycrystalline forsterite aggregates
    (American Geophysical Union, 2018-12-13) Patabendigedara, SK; Clark, SM; Salvemini, F
    An understanding of hydrogen diffusion in nominally anhydrous minerals is essential for the correct interpretation of conductivity dissimilarity in the Earth mantle. The mechanism of hydrogen diffusion in dominant mantle minerals was described by Demouchy (2010) using a defect model in crystalline materials. The effects of in-grain and grain boundary diffusion are separated using the bricklayer model and other derivatives of it (Tuller 2000). Separation of the two components of proton conductivity in olivine will substantially improve the current proton conduction model. It will help to interpret magnetotelluric data and will give prospects to find new mineral sources and explain other phenomena such as volcanism and plate tectonics. A recent insight is that the high conductivities determined from proton conduction measurements at low temperatures are mainly due to conduction along grain boundaries (Demouchy 2010). We have repeated Demouchy (2010) experiment using neutron imaging to image time and temperature dependent hydrogen diffusion profiles as neutrons are highly sensitive to hydrogen. We carried out a series of experiments where we diffused H2O through a forsterite polycrystalline matrix at high-pressure and temperature. The recovered samples were imaged using the DINGO neutron tomography facility at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. The results indicate hydrogen transport inside the forsterite aggregates as changing neutron attenuation along the diffusion direction of the polycrystalline mineral block. It correlates with the temperature dependent hydrogen diffusion in this mineral. This study revealed the ability of neutron imaging technique to find the hydrogen diffusion coefficient of forsterite. We are sharing these results in this conference.
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    Neutron imaging: benefits and case studies in palaeontology and cutlural heritage
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Bevitt, JJ; Gabre, U; Salvemini, F; Raymond, C
    Conventional and synchrotron-based X-ray computed tomography (XCT) have been utilised for many years as critical tools in uncovering 3-D internal and surface renderings of scientifically important fossils, cultural artefacts and other specimens held in museum and university collections. DINGO, Australia’s thermal-neutron micro-computed tomography (nCT) instrument, is being used to obtain unpreceded renderings of extraordinary fossilised anatomical features not visible with conventional imaging techniques, and yielding new insights into ancient manufacturing methods of archaeological artefacts not attainable by other methods. NCT is a complementary tool to XCT, and it is important to recognise the benefits, and challenges with its application. Using a selection of case studies from our instrument user program, this presentation will illustrate how neutrons are revealing soft-tissue remains in Jurassic stem-mammals, being used to identify touch-ups and fraud in palaeontology, and providing new insights into Cretaceous polar ecosystems. Through the ANSTO supported Cultural Heritage project, neutron imaging is being used to reveal ancient weapons manufacturing practices, reveal hidden texts in a lead scroll and identify the recycling of mummified votive offerings in ancient Egypt. Improvements in imaging technology and methods at ANSTO is enabling us to achieve higher throughput of these precious objects, minimise neutron-induced activation of samples and to support an increasing number and diversity of student-led research projects.
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    Neutron techniques in archaeometry
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Salvemini, F
    The application of science and technology to the characterization and the conservation of heritage materials has significantly increased over the last decades. Due to the manifold nature and the value of artefact of cultural heritage significance, studies in archaeometry require a transdisciplinary approach as well as the use of non-invasive multiple analytical techniques. Today ANSTO’s large suite of capabilities and expertise is available for cultural heritage research. In order to promote access by cultural institution and researchers to the unique range of nuclear methods available across ANSTO’s campuses, a strategic scientific research project on Cultural Heritage was initiated in 2015. This paper will showcase how neutron methods have been successfully applied in a series of forensic investigations conducted in close collaboration with Australian and international museums, institutions and universities.
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    Neutron tomographic analysis: Material characterization of silver and electrum coins from the 6th and 5th centuries BCE
    (Elsevier B.V., 2016-08-01) Salvemini, F; Olsen, SR; Luzin, V; Garbe, U; Davis, J; Knowles, T; Sheedy, K
    Neutron tomography was applied to study a set of Greek silver coins and a single Lydian electrum coin minted in the 6 and 5th centuries BCE. The investigation was conducted at the new neutron imaging station DINGO at ANSTO in order to demonstrate capabilities and to explore limits of this non-invasive method in characterizing numismatic materials. From the reconstructed volume of each sample, the morphology, porosity, inclusions, and presence of composite structures can be revealed and evaluated. This information can be used to elucidate ancient minting technology and to prove authenticity. Moreover, the state of conservation, corrosion processes and attempts to repair the coins can be determined. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
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    New developments in neutron imaging at DINGO
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2021-11-25) Garbe, U; Bevitt, JJ; Salvemini, F
    The neutron radiography / tomography / imaging instrument DINGO is operational since October 2014 to support research at ANSTO. DINGO provides a useful tool to give a different insight into objects. A major part of applications from research and industrial users was demanding high resolution setup and fast scans on DINGO. The neutron beam size can be adjusted to the sample size from 25 x 25 mm 2 to 200 x 200 mm 2 with a resulting pixel size from 12μm to ~100μm. Depending on the sample composition a full tomography has been taken in 10 minute – 36 hours. During the recent OPAL long shutdown, a new sapphire filter has been installed to reduce the amount of epithermal and fast neutrons at the sample position. These high energy neutrons do not contribute to the image, only as noise, and increasing the radiation levels around the CMOS camera. This update will improve the image quality as well as the reliability of the whole instrument. In addition, we implement a new type of neutron tomography scan to address long samples like in drill cores. These samples can now be scanned horizontal up two 1.2 meter in length. For small core sizes we can run up to three cores in one scan, which makes DINGO a very competitive instrument for fast high throughput imaging. A new software package for 3D reconstruction has been developed as well. It is an open source package based on the python toolbox “tomopy” with a GUI custom made for DINGO to enable users to run the reconstruction on their own computing environment. © 2021 The Authors
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    Residual stress measurements for cultural heritage.
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Luzin, V; Salvemini, F
    The neutron residual stress analysis can be used as a forensic method for studying non-destructively objects of cultural heritage. A number of case studies on ancient weaponry were collected over the period of the Cultural Heritage Project at ACNS, ranging from the bronze age blades to more recent iron age swords. In the given presentation, the use of the neutron diffraction method is illustrated with these case studies together with the interpretation of the results of stress measurements.
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    Samurai’s swords, a non-invasive investigation by neutron techniques
    (Scientific.Net, 2020-03-01) Salvemini, F; Luzin, V; Avdeev, M; Tremsin, AS; Sokolova, AV; Gregg, AWT; Wensrich, CM; Gatenby, S; Kim, MJ; Grazzi, F
    A synergic combination of neutron techniques was applied to characterize non-invasively the laminated structure of a set of ancient katana, part of the East Asian Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) in Sydney. Neutron tomography, diffraction, residual stress and Bragg-edge transmission analyses were undertaken on samples of well-known origin, time period and authorship to create a reference database on the main manufacturing methods developed by Japanese swordsmiths. In the attempt to attribute mumei (no-signature) blades basing on a scientific analytical method rather than a stylistic analysis, data from the reference samples were benchmarked against the results obtained from the unknown blade to identify differences and commonalities in the production process. © 2020 by Trans Tech Publications Ltd.
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    Structural characterization of ancient Japanese swords from MAAS using neutron strain scanning measurements
    (Materials Research Forum LLC, 2021-07-03) Salvemini, F; Luzin, V; Grazzi, F; Gatenby, S; Kim, MJ
    The current paper presents a forensic study that aims to characterize non-invasively the laminated structure of a set of Samurai’s swords, part of the East Asian Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) in Sydney, via strain scanning measurements. Neutron residual stress analyses were undertaken on samples of well-known origin, time period and authorship to create a reference database on the main lamination methods developed by Japanese swordsmiths. The benchmark data were cross-matched with results obtained from a mumei (no-signature) blade in order to attribute its manufacturing tradition based on qualitative and quantitative data rather than stylistic criteria. Maps of two stress components and d0-values in the transverse crosssection of each sword were determined as a result of the neutron diffraction experiment with submillimeter spatial resolution. Since these two material characteristics are induced by the manufacturing process, analysis and comparison of the results allows drawing conclusions about variability or similarity of the actual production techniques of the Japanese swords. © The Authors
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    Tracking the diffusion of hydrogen rich liquids in shale rocks
    (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), 2020-11-11) Siddiqui, M; Salvemini, F; Roshan, H
    Understanding flow of hydrogen rich liquids in shale rocks is critical for the recovery of unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The most common hydrogen rich liquids pertaining to shale rocks are water and oil. The extensive research on water and oil flow in shale rocks has not yet been able to explain the significant uncertainties and discrepancies in reported experimental data. Specifically, what has perplexed the research community is that despite oil spreading more than water on shale surfaces in an inviscid medium, its uptake by shale pores under pure capillary forces is much less than water contrary to theoretical expectations. This causes misjudgement of shale wettability and the underlying physical phenomena. Therefore, in this study, we have used neutron computed tomography (CT) in combination with other experimental and digital rock methods to investigate water and oil flow in an organic-rich shale from the Beetaloo sub-basin in Northern Territory, Australia. The experimental techniques included, in addition to neutron CT, contact angle and spontaneous imbibition tests, X-ray CT, and small angle X-ray scattering. We also used non-equilibrium thermodynamics to theoretically derive constitutive equations to support our experimental observations of configurational diffusion. The results of this study indicated that the pre-existing fractures imbibe more oil than water consistent with theory. However, theoretically in contrast, the overall imbibition was higher for water than oil. The reason for this was revealed by neutron CT to be greater water diffusion into the shale matrix (second continuum) from the fractures. It was shown that more water uptake into shale was controlled by pore size and accessibility in addition to capillary or osmotic forces i.e. the diffusion type is configurational where water molecules have easier access to smaller pores due to their smaller molecular size compared to larger oil molecules. Thus, even the inorganic pores which seem more oil-wet in an inviscid medium, easily allow water molecules to pass through them compared to oil. On the other hand, strongly oil-wet pores possessing strong capillarity cannot even imbibe oil simply due to its large molecular size and physical inaccessibility to the micro-pores. A combination of neutron and x-ray CT methods revealed that different flow mechanisms are dominant in different continua of shale rocks - and that these mechanisms are dependent on the relative sizes of liquid molecules and pores. The results provide new insights into the previously unexplained discrepancy regarding water and oil uptake capacity of shale rocks.