The D-MACH Mission

The D-MACH mission is a very simple one. When we are up and running, the Centre for Digital Modelling and Analysis, for Conservation and Heritage will deliver an essential vision for the heritage science sector. We will provide the ability to record and analyse heritage objects and collections at any scale, from the microscopic to macroscopic, all in one place, and through a single work-flow. Crucially, this resource aims for more open access to these expensive techniques. Access was previously restricted to large national museums and university departments. D-MACH will provide heritage researchers and conservation practitioners access to the equipment and skills necessary to:

1. Use computed x-ray tomography (XCT) to build a 3D image of the inside of artefacts and environmental samples and analyse their composition.
2. Use laser-scanning, photogrammetry or structured light scanning to build 3D models of objects at sub-millimetre precision.
3. Use hyperspectral imaging to determine the chemical composition of heritage materials, such as pigments and dyes.
4. Combine the results from these techniques to analyse artefacts and collections. To gain new insight into their past manufacture, use and significance, and better prepare them for conservation.