Current location:Earth Echoes news portal > sport
China develops robot for cultural relics protection
Earth Echoes news portal2024-05-21 15:46:24【sport】6People have gathered around
Introduction(Xinhua) 14:41, February 28, 2024BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's strides in space technology ar
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's strides in space technology are now enriching the preservation of cultural relics, as spacecraft engineers have repurposed a robot originally designed for orbital missions to protect tomb artifacts.
The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) recently announced the development of such a robot. Combined with electron beam irradiation technology, it can be used as an intelligent mobile system to eradicate bacteria that thrive on ancient murals in small tombs.
Equipped with a robotic arm mounted on a mobile wheeled chassis, this device can scan scenes of tomb walls and domes.
Similar to the radiation disinfection technology used in medical treatment, the electron beams can eliminate harmful bacteria that cause murals to fade or chip over time.
The project was initiated by the Dunhuang Academy, an institute for the protection and research of the World cultural heritage of Dunhuang Grottoes in China. It has accumulated rich experience in cave painting conservation over the past decades. From 2020 to 2022, the academy has taken the lead in on-site protection of national tomb murals.
"The tomb mural preservation poses a great challenge," said Yu Zongren, head of the academy's conservation institute.
Being buried deep underground for extended periods exposes tomb murals to highly humid environments, fostering the proliferation of microorganisms that accelerate their deterioration. Furthermore, given the generally confined space within tombs, any negligence in cleaning and protection work can result in additional damage to these invaluable relics.
The conventional disinfection approach involves the use of chemical agents, which, unfortunately, may pose health risks to the people involved as well as affect the murals.
As immovable cultural relics, murals need on-site protection, so using traditional biocide agents is not a sustainable option, Yu noted.
In response to the demand for on-site protection of tomb murals, researchers from the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have undertaken the development of an intelligent mobile irradiation sterilization device. They proposed the requirement of "maintaining a small and precise size while prioritizing safety," and collaborated with engineers from the CAST to develop the robot.
Despite rich experience in developing robotic arms for large space capsules, the engineers have never created a robot specifically for tomb artwork clearing before.
"We had dedicated much of our efforts to reducing size and enhancing the flexibility of the robot, making it more suitable for tomb applications," said Xu Jianping, head of the engineering team.
Laser sensors, installed on the remotely operated robot, can detect and avoid obstacles, ensuring a safe distance between the robot and the murals.
According to Xu, these technologies had been used on China's spacecraft.
Although most of the engineers had never seen mural artworks before, they take pride in using space technology for the protection of centuries-old cultural relics, Xu noted.
The robot was showcased for the first time at a domestic exhibition on cultural relic protection last September. The research team plans to conduct more experiments before putting it into service.
Address of this article:http://mongolia.soorot.com/article-29b299930.html
Very good!(581)
Related articles
- Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
- Scaloni: Messi key in decision to remain Argentina boss
- USC president makes her first remarks over recent campus controversies on Israel
- Dubai plans to move its busy international airport to a $35 billion new facility within 10 years
- Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
- Thousands rally in Madrid to urge Spanish leader Pedro Sánchez not to resign
- Dubai plans to move its busy international airport to a $35 billion new facility within 10 years
- Native Youth Olympics: Alaska’s Indigenous teens emulate ancestors’ Arctic survival skills
- Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
- How to upgrade your outdated acronyms to keep up with Gen Z
Popular articles
Recommended
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Macao announces schedule for election of Chief Executive Election Committee
Amazing rainbow appears on China's Longhu Mountain
Pan Zhanle wins two golds in China National Swimming Championships
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Amazing rainbow appears on China's Longhu Mountain
Greece expects more Chinese visitors with extra direct air links
Chinese premier stresses consolidating achievements in poverty alleviation
Links
- Squad sizes for Copa America teams expanded from 23 players to 26
- Oakland left
- China's tech firm Huawei hosts roundtable on cybersecurity in Dubai
- The late Rev. Billy Graham is immortalized in a statue unveiled at the US Capitol
- Every WNBA team to begin using charter flights by May 21
- Justice Dept. makes arrests in North Korean identity theft scheme involving thousands of IT workers
- Sexual assaults are down in the US military. Here's what to know
- Every WNBA team to begin using charter flights by May 21
- Wembanyama headlines France's preliminary roster for Paris Olympics basketball tournament
- Every WNBA team to begin using charter flights by May 21