Rochester Institute of Technology

The Image Permanence Institute at the Rochester Institute of Technology will conduct a three-year research project to determine if freezing and freeze drying are safe and effective for recovery of museum inkjet print collections damaged by water. Building on previous work on salvage techniques for inkjet-printed collection materials, the project team will conduct experiments to compare inkjet print types across freezing rates and drying methodologies. The data will establish best practices needed to effectively respond to both large and small water emergencies. The research findings will be condensed into a printed, waterproof, one-page visual aid to provide simplified guidance during these catastrophic events. The institute will share project results through journals and national conferences, and will make them available on its website. The project will benefit museums, libraries, archives, galleries, photographers, and the general public by maximizing the nation's collective ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover inkjet-printed materials during water emergencies.