This week, ChemiNova took the stage at the prestigious NRICH–ICCROM Annual International Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea. The event, themed "A Timeless Issue on Heritage," brought together international experts, researchers, and decision-makers to explore how cutting-edge innovation can safeguard our shared cultural legacy.

Addressing Heritage Preservation Through Advanced Technologies

As part of the conference session “Investigation and Monitoring of Heritage Using Advanced Technologies,”ChemiExpert Noémie Gabay presented:

“The ChemiNova Project: Developing Digital Tools to Assess and Monitor Damage to Cultural Heritage Caused by Climate Change and Armed Conflict.”

The presentation showcased ChemiNova’s commitment to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical, on-the-ground conservation.

An Interoperable Ecosystem for Heritage Professionals

At the core of the presentation was ChemiNova’s interdisciplinary approach: the development of an interoperable ecosystem of open-source digital tools designed specifically to help heritage professionals assess, document, and monitor deterioration.

The project achieves this by fusing together a powerful suite of advanced technologies:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive analysis and damage detection.

  • Enriched 3D models to create highly detailed digital twins of vulnerable sites.

  • Remote sensing and advanced imaging to monitor large-scale environmental impacts.

  • AR/VR technologies to facilitate remote inspection and immersive documentation.

From Reactive Response to Proactive Conservation

Through real-world pilot case studies in areas heavily affected by climate change and armed conflict, the discussion demonstrated how technological innovation—when paired with targeted capacity building—empowers professionals on the ground.

Rather than simply reacting to emergencies after damage has occurred, these tools enable heritage custodians to move toward proactive, evidence-based conservation strategies.

Empowering Future Generations

The NRICH–ICCROM conference provided a valuable global platform to exchange knowledge, strengthen international partnerships, and reinforce the vital role that digital innovation plays in protecting cultural heritage for the generations to come.

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ChemiNova is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

Tags: #ChemiNovaEU #CulturalHeritage #DigitalHeritage #ClimateAction #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #3D #Conservation #Research#HorizonEurope #ICCROM