The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded a $341,983 Project Grant under the Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access program (CFDA 45.149) to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to assess the performance of energy-efficient phase change materials (PCMs) for passive temperature control of objects in partially-controlled or uncontrolled collection environments. The 2.5-year project, starting on March 1, 2025 and completing by August 31, 2027, will conduct laboratory tests to evaluate the thermal energy storage and regulation capabilities of PCMs for applications such as vitrines, sealed frame packages, and storage enclosures. The study aims to develop cost-effective and risk-mitigation guidelines for collections care professionals to adopt PCMs as a sustainable preventive conservation measure in response to climate change impacts.
Generated 3/4/25, 7:15 AM