Speaker
Mr
Michael J. G. Gichuru
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Description
Glass is known to deteriorate under environmental conditions and therefore it is of major concern to conservationist, cultural heritage funs and Museum Institutions. However, glass art products are common wares, which are made and sold by artists in the low-income groups of different Kenyan communities. They are therefore an economic asset and bread provider for many poor households. For the authorities to make a decision on how to help the involved artists and resellers, to add value to their products and capture a winder market, especially within the tourist and business visitors, better understanding of their structure, morphology and elemental content was seen to be necessary. Ionizing radiation instrumentation are good tools for this kind of study and therefore XRF and radiography facilities at Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology were used to analyze randomly purchased objects from street hawkers and market resellers. The spectra and radiographs will be analyzed and the resultant data used to assess the source of deterioration and give informed recommendations to policy makers and stakeholders in the business.
| Country/Organization invited to participate | Kenya |
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Primary author
Mr
Michael J. G. Gichuru
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Co-authors
Mr
David M. Maina
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Mr
Fredrick K. Kariithi
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Mr
Michael J Mangala
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Mr
Simon Bartilol
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Ms
Susan W. Karuga
(Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, College of Architecture and Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya)
