Old new technology

The ON-Tech project objective is the production, characterization and chemical-physical analysis of the degradation of hydraulic mortars to be used in modern construction and restoration that are compatible with ancient materials. In fact, the results of the archaeometric characterization of mortars from the Trajan-Paul Aqueduct (Rome, I-II century AD) have highlighted a unique composition of the hydraulic mortars, that allowed the monument to survive and be used up to the present day. The restoration mortars will then be produced according to the ancient recipe of the Roman hydraulic mortar, which is perfect in terms of starting materials, grain size and production technology. The technologies and know-how of the partners will be deployed in order to produce eco-friendly materials, not harmful to humans and compatible with ancient materials, with significant impact on the market. For this reason, the presence in the consortium of professionals in the sector, such as scholars, restorers and Superintendencies will be necessary and fundamental.Objectives of the project:

– provide the restoration sector with an innovative and specific material to work on monuments that require ad hoc responses, in order to promote a new conservative approach for ancient masonry structures;

produce eco-friendly restoration mortars, not harmful to humans and compatible with ancient mortars;
propose modern mortars with high performance in terms of resistance and durability, with minimum CO2 production;
perform tests on the durability of products in order to minimize subsequent restoration interventions.
In this context, the Crystallography Institute benefited from funding from the DTC Lazio – Intervention TE1, in order to propose the use of microbiological analysis techniques for the evaluation of both the effect of algal cultures on the surface of the new experimental mortars (formations macroscopic and microscopic alterations or deteriorations due to colonization and / or creation of biological patina following continuous exposure), and the possible effect of these new eco-friendly materials on model biological systems (freshwater algae). Consequently, the proposed activity will have the dual function of validating: i) the performance propensity of the mortar studied in relation to the durability requirement in the presence of colonizing microorganisms, and ii) the non-toxicity of the new synthesized material, thus respecting the environment, human wellbeing and in the broader concept of green building.