A conservation campaign is currently underway, at Politecnico di Torino, to preserve a significant collection of measurement instruments and devices from the Department of Physics and the Advanced School of Electronics Laboratory, originally established by Galileo Ferraris in 1888. The collection comprises teaching and research apparatus used between the 1920s and 1960s, including voltmeters, ammeters, galvanometers, valve and battery testers, and other related equipment. The ongoing conservation effort utilizes non-invasive, in situ analytical techniques such as portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and multiband photogrammetry. These methods have enabled detailed examination of the materials and their degradation processes without compromising the integrity of the artifacts. Preliminary analyses have revealed a variety of corrosion morphologies, attributable to the use of different base metals, iron, copper, silver alloys and to variable environmental conditions over time. Galvanic corrosion is a frequent finding, particularly in areas where Cu-based and Fe-based alloys or gilded components, are in direct contact. Cross-polarized and Ultraviolet-Induced Luminescence Photogrammetry are being employed to generate detailed 3D models of the instruments, supporting both documentation and future conservation planning.

Mortars from the 16th-century Venetian Fortress of Bergamo (Italy) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Samples were taken from the bastions of San Pietro and Valverde, areas affected by severe degradation and targeted in a recent conservation initiative. XRD qualitative phase analysis and semi-quantitative analysis were performed on 59 samples collected from 9 cores extracted at different locations. XRD analysis identified calcite, hydrocalumite- and hydrotalcite-type compounds, brucite, aragonite, plombierite, and a substantial amorphous fraction in the binder, while aggregates consist mainly of quartz and carbonate-rich sands. The large dataset of abundances of phases in the 59 samples was analyzed via principal component analysis (PCA). PCA results indicate a homogeneous distribution of mineral phases across the dataset, with no significant clustering by depth or sampling location, supporting the interpretation of a consistent binder composition throughout the investigated sections.

The present work deals with the chemical characterisation of the ancient mortars of València la Vella, a Visigothic site dated between the 6th and 8th centuries AD and located in the municipality of Ribaroja de Túria (València, Spain). Thirty-five mortar samples were collected from different masonries and analyzed by portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to obtain concentrations of major, minor and trace elements, including Rare Earth Elements. Data from multielement analysis were explored by multivariate statistics to detect the possible presence of different construction phases. Furthermore, the results from València la Vella were compared with a database of chemical data from ancient mortars sampled in historical buildings of València surroundings, spanning from Roman Era to Modern times, to observe differences and similarities with other building materials of the area.

Digital photogrammetry, especially through the use of drones, has proven to be an efficient, accurate, and low-cost alternative for mapping damage on the facades of historical buildings. This paper presents a case study applied to the Solar do Barão de Itapura, in Campinas, São Paulo, aiming at the creation of a detailed orthophoto with the identification and classification of pathological manifestations. The methodology includes visual inspection, flight planning, image capture, point cloud processing using Agisoft Metashape Pro software, and analysis of the generated products such as 3D meshes and orthophotos. The results demonstrate the applicability of the technique as an auxiliary tool for identifying and diagnosing pathological conditions in heritage building facades, enabling more well-founded restoration interventions.

Heritage masonry structures face increasing deterioration risks that require continuous monitoring to enable timely conservation interventions, yet current thermal assessment methods rely on periodic surveys that fail to capture dynamic thermal behaviour patterns. This study presents the implementation of a continuous thermal monitoring system using three fixed infrared cameras (Mobotix M73) for 24/7 monitoring of historic wall sections in Rome. Thermal images acquired at 30-minute intervals were processed using custom-developed algorithms for temporal series extraction, edge detection analysis, and master-slave image comparison to characterize thermal signatures and identify structural anomalies. Results demonstrate distinct thermal behaviour patterns across monitored sections depending on material composition and structural characteristics. Edge detection successfully identified thermal discontinuities corresponding to documented structural fractures and material interfaces, while comparative analysis revealed spatial heating heterogeneity indicative of conservation state variations. The correlation between thermal signatures and known structural vulnerabilities validates continuous thermal monitoring as a non-invasive early warning system for heritage deterioration processes, offering significant potential for preventive conservation strategies and real-time structural health assessment of cultural heritage assets.