Motivation

Thus, the main objective of this COST Action is to promote the research, development and application of optical measurement techniques according to the needs of the Cultural Heritage.

Other objectives of this Action are:

1. (a) To increase the knowledge of potentials, limitations, prerequisites and practical aspects about precise spectral and spatial instruments. (b) To research and publish case studies on the application of the latest spectral and spatial technologies. (c) To provide a critical overview of current spectral and spatial technologies in the documentation of cultural heritage objects. (d) To provide a basis for the optimized use of spectral and spatial technologies for institutes and experts who protect our cultural heritage. (2) To analyze the mutual benefits of spectral and spatial measurement technologies and to analyze the added value of the combined benefits.
2. (a) The formation of a sustainable European network of researchers, solution providers, end users and industrial partners in the field of optical measurement techniques for documentation, preservation and reconstruction. (b) The stimulation of interdisciplinary research projects at national, bilateral and European level. (c) The identification and further development of knowledge centers within the partner network for educational services and research support. (d) The promotion of mobility of early career researchers. (4) The development of recommendations and guidelines for institutes and experts protecting our cultural heritage to determine minimum spatial resolutions and measurement uncertainties for a selection of materials depending on the documentation purpose (e.g. visualization and condition assessment).

Activities

To apply for the project, the i3mainz prepared a comprehensive proposal, which was reviewed and deemed to be highly worthy of funding. By the kick-off meeting, 20 parties (scientists from 20 different European countries) had already signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

At Euromed 2012 in October 2012 in Cyprus, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Boochs presented the COST Action project for the first time.

On November 7, the project was officially launched in Brussels. The representatives of the already signed countries (the so-called Management Committee) elected Prof. Dr.-Ing. Boochs as Chair of the Action and designated the HS Mainz as Grant Holder. The project is divided into a Management Committee, which is chaired by the Chair and the Vice-Chair, and five Working Groups, which are formed according to the following research priorities:

WG 1: Spectral object documentation; WG 2: Spatial object documentation, WG 3: Algorithms and procedures, WG 4: Analysis and restoration of CH surfaces and objects, WG 5: Visualization of CH objects and its dissemination

Through numerous project activities a network on European level is formed: (a) At regular WG meetings, the project participants exchange information and jointly develop the goals of the research priorities. Interim results are presented on a regular basis. (b) MC meetings serve the project management to discuss the strategic project planning, to make upcoming decisions and to control the progress within the WGs and the publications of the activities. Furthermore, Short Term Scientific Missions, Workshops and Training Schools are decided in the meetings. (c) Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are designed to promote collaboration between scientists from different countries and faculties and to provide practical as well as theoretical knowledge on an individual basis. (d) Training Schools (TS) allow a limited number of interested scientists to acquire specialized knowledge in a concentrated manner at an experienced knowledge center. The Training Schools subsequently give participants the opportunity to apply new knowledge to topics in other disciplines related to the protection of cultural heritage.

Results

All activities and results are collected and published on the interactive Action website: www.cosch.info.