In this paper, a comparative study was conducted on the extraction effects of six agents for collagen-based mural painting binders. These agents were used to extract the residual proteins in the non-aged and thermal aged samples. The protein extraction efficiencies of different extracting agents were quantitatively determined by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method, and then processed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The impact of the extraction process on the protein structure was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), ultraviolet absorption spectrum (UV) and circular dichroism (CD). The results showed that, for both non-aged and aged samples, the extraction efficiency of 2 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) was significantly higher than the other five agents, with less damage to the protein structure during the extraction process.

This study identified and interpreted an adhesive used in the making of a tiara of the mid-Qing Dynasty (1776–1839 CE), in the collection of the Tang Clan Folk Museum. By performance of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, a sample of adhesive residue was identified as bovine collagen proteins at the molecular level with high confidence. The result highlights the first example of accurate determination of the origin of the adhesive adopted in the tian-tsui craft, providing novel information and contributing to study of the significance, development, and exchange of tian-tsui craftsmanship.

In order to accurately identify the ancient liquid contained in the plum vase excavated from Jurou Li’s Grave of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 CE) in Xi’an, mass spectrometry was applied to determine the amino acid sequences of the residual proteins extracted from the liquid sample. The sequences were searched against a standard protein sequence database. The proteins extracted was identified as glycosyltransferase from Sorghum bicolor, calcium-dependent protein kinase 2 from Wickerhamomyces ciferrii, and cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit Rieske from Nadsonia fulvescens. These findings indicate that the extremely degraded liquid in the plum vase was made from the cereal of sorghum by alcoholic fermentation of Wickerhamomyces ciferrii and Nadsonia fulvescens, providing direct evidence for liquor in the Jin Dynasty.

The Kizil Cave-Temple Complex has been registered as a World Heritage site and was formerly a part of Kucha—one of the most powerful and prosperous regions of ancient China. The No. 1 Cave is of great significance due to its three surviving clay sculptures. The mural paintings inside the cave are experiencing severe degradation. Scientific methods such as optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffusion (XRD) were applied to analyze the pigments and organic coating used in the No. 1 Cave. The results show that paratacamite, gypsum, and lapis lazuli were used as the green, white, and blue pigments, respectively. Poly-n-butyl methacrylate (PBMA) was used as an organic coating of the blue pigment and has accelerated the aging of the mural paintings. This study shares insights into the materials and techniques employed and assesses the preservation status of the mural paintings, providing scientific support for protection and restoration schemes.

Located in Pujiang, Chengdu, China, more than four hundred artifacts were unearthed during the excavation of the Warring States (the Warring States period lasts from 475 to 221 BC) ship-shaped graves in 2016. The compositional and metallurgical feature of the unearthed vessels are still unclear. Archaeologists and conservators are puzzled by such problems that need to be answered by systematic scientific studies. Fifty one samples, either from the matrix (26 samples), or from the corrosion part (25 samples) of 25 unearthed bronze vessels, were carefully collected from the fallen part of the bronze vessels for analysis. Technical methods, such as OM, SEM-EDS, XRD and Raman Spectroscopy were adopted for compositional and metallurgical characterization of the bronzes, as well as identification of the corrosion products. The bronzes are Cu–Sn–Pb trinary alloys with typical casting microstructure. The proportion of Sn are in accordance with excavated bronze vessels in surrounding areas. Recycling isn’t involved with the production of such vessels. Layered structure of the corrosion products was observed. Different corrosion products were identified as Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂, Cu₂O, CuSO₄·5H₂O SnO₂, PbSO₄ and PbCO₃. The findings help us gain insights into the bronze manufacturing in Bashu district, as well as the corrosion behavior in certain condition.

The rapid closure of the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) can be completed within 0.1–0.5 s due to the bistability of hyperbolic leaves and the curvature change of midrib. Inspired by its bistable behavior, this paper presents a novel bioinspired pneumatic artificial Venus flytrap (AVFT), which can achieve a larger capture range and faster closure action at low working pressure and low energy consumption. Soft fiber-reinforced bending actuators are inflated to move artificial leaves and artificial midrib fabricated from bistable antisymmetric laminated carbon fiber-reinforced prepreg (CFRP) structures, and then the AVFT is rapidly closed. A two-parameter theoretical model is used to prove the bistability of the selected antisymmetric laminated CFRP structure, and analyze the factors affecting the curvature in the second stable state. Two physical quantities, critical trigger force and tip force, are introduced to associate the artificial leaf/midrib with the soft actuator. A dimension optimization framework for soft actuators is developed to reduce their working pressures. The results show that the closure range of the AVFT is extended to 180°, and the snap time is shortened to 52 ms by introducing the artificial midrib. The potential application of the AVFT for grasping objects is also shown. This research can provide a new paradigm for the study of biomimetic structures.