Projects / Programmes
The use of laser technology for registration of mechanic vibrations in biological materials
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T165 |
Technological sciences |
Laser technology |
| B250 |
Biomedical sciences |
Entomology, plant parasitology |
| B430 |
Biomedical sciences |
Sylviculture, forestry, forestry technology |
| B390 |
Biomedical sciences |
Phytotechny, horticulture, crop protection, phytopathology |
| T460 |
Technological sciences |
Wood, pulp and paper technology |
| H314 |
Humanities |
Preservation and restoration of art works |
laser technology, insects, wood, green plants, biological control, protection of art objects, wood protection
Researchers (9)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Inter-institutional project group is composed of investigators from the National Institute of Biology and from The Biotechnical Faculty and Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Ljubljana with expert knowledge on biology, wood engineering and physics. The main goal of the project is to test and apply the use of laser technology in the analysis of (a) biomechanical properties of biological materials like green plants and wood for transmission of vibratory signals emitted by insects and of (b) the influence of thermally modified wood on its resonant properties. By the analysis of biomechanical properties of green plants we would like to determine tuning of its resonance properties with spectral characteristics of vibratory signals emitted by insect pest species to understand the active role of substrate on mechanisms underlying space orientation and identification of the vibration source in natural environment. Both phenomena help to choose suitable plants for biological control of insect pest species. In the second part of the research programme we plan to use laser technology for diagnosis of insect infestation of objects of cultural heritage. At the basis of positive preliminary research results we plan to upgrade the method to be able to determine the age, dimensions and the larval stage of the insect in the wood by analyses of spectral and time characteristics of the laser recorded signals. The use of laser vibrometry technique is most relevant because of its non-contact nature, high sensitivity and selectivity and because it enables relevant registration of vibratory signals in a broad frequency range. Early detection of insect infestation in objects of extreme value is important in their preservation because it allows a selective approach by conservation. In the frame of the third part the project group plans to apply vibrational sounding as a well known phenomenon in nature to the field of investigations of the influence of different techniques for wood modification and protection on its resonant properties. This method is most useful to choose the optimal material for musical instruments as well as for early detection of invisible damage on pictures, frescoes and icons. The aim of the interdisciplinary studies of wood is to give research basis for a long term monitoring of the cultural heritage. The final goal of the joined research work is to establish the center or network for investigations of biological material by the use of laser technology which will apply new knowledge to plant and food protection, protection of cultural heritage, the choice of optimal wood protection and modification technique and in the future to the clinical use in medicine. The project group has all the intellectual and physical abilities to carry out the proposed type of research and with its references and connections with research centers of similar scientific orientation abroad it assures important transfer of knowledge, information and technology to Slovenia.
