July 23, 2004 Highlights
High-Tech
Time Travel
 Accurately
dating and identifying a painting that is nearly 400 years old
is difficult, but thanks to the efforts of Utah State University
staff, an art conservator and the high-tech support of Logan
Regional Hospital, that's exactly what was attempted July 13.
The patient, a nearly five-foot by seven-foot plus painting
of undetermined European background, was transported to Logan
Regional Hospital, a service of Intermountain Health Care, by
the university's moving crew headed by Chet Smith. The patient
was a little soiled and suffered a few cracks, but it was the
bones of the work that interested Rose Milovich, Nelson Ahrnsbrak
and Steven Prins. Milovich is the art and book art curator for
University Libraries in Special Collections and Archives, Ahrnsbrak
is her assistant and Prins is an independent art conservator
from Santa Fe, N.M. The team hoped to pick up clues at the hospital
to accurately date the painting and, perhaps, identify the artist
who created the work in the 17th century.
Through the emergency room doors the painting traveled, down
the hallway, finally making its way to the Special Procedures
Lab, which normally sees slightly younger cardiac patients.
Into the cath lab and onto the table the artwork went, ready
for digital imaging under the supervision of Rod Cevering, a
special procedures radiology technician at Logan Regional. All
was ready for the high-tech adventure that would, with hope,
take the Utah State team time-traveling, solving a few mysteries
along the way.
Supporting Milovich in the project were others at the hospital,
including Danette Steinitz and cath lab manager Carol Chambers.
Once on the table, the painting was carefully manipulated by
Prins, positioning the work so hidden details could be seen.
Using a penny as a marker to note grids, the painting was carefully
scanned section by section. Images were recorded at the lowest
kilovoltage possible (in this case, 50 kv), to show the subtle
differences in densities of the work. Images began to pop up
on the monitor. There were the nails used to attach the canvas
to the stretchers or frame. Canvas differences could be seen.
Spots, blotches and imperfections hidden for hundreds of years
flashed on the screen.
X-ray technology is used much the same in the art world as
it is with the body. It can penetrate to reveal hidden elements
of structure and detail. It can detect previous alterations
and repairs. X-ray is one piece of the puzzle in identifying
and dating art works. It can help "see" the structure,
condition and attributable patterns of execution by the artist.
After a preliminary review of the images shot at Logan Regional
Hospital, Prins said he was pleased. His review of the images
reinforces many suspicions from the visual inspection.
The artwork was originally donated to the university by L.
Boyd and Anne McQuarrie Hatch and has been housed in the Merrill
Library's Hatch Room. Conservator Prins has been brought in
to evaluate the work, along with a smaller landscape by Jules
Dupre (French Barbizon School), and begin restoration work.
The process is in anticipation of the move to the university's
new library, currently under construction.
Engineering
Professor Takes Home Prestigious Award from American Solar Energy
Society
 Byard
Wood, department head and professor of mechanical and aerospace
engineering at Utah State University, received the Charles Greeley
Abbot Award from the American Solar Energy Society in Portland,
Ore., in July.
"To be listed with those who have received this prestigious
award is both humbling and very satisfying," said Wood.
"The sense of the professional responsibilities to others
that accompanies this recognition, particularly to the younger
professionals who will amplify and expand my efforts, is indeed
humbling. To be recognized by your peers as one who has made
some notable contributions certainly validates key decisions
made during the journey."
The award is named after Charles Greeley Abbot, a prominent
researcher in solar energy who contributed a great deal to the
understanding and use of solar energy in his 101-year lifetime.
ASES presents this award annually to an individual who has made
a significant contribution to the society or to the field of
solar energy.
Wood's career has spanned more than 30 years and has included
such stints as being a professor of mechanical engineering at
Arizona State University, then head of mechanical engineering
at the University of Nevada — Reno, before coming to Utah
State. Wood has a long history of outstanding research accomplishments
in the field of solar cooling and is a recognized expert in
the field. His professional interests also include full-spectrum
solar hybrid lighting research for the U.S. Department of Energy.
But without question the greatest source of "fun"
and "pride" is the students he has had the privilege
to mentor, he said.
Wood was technical session chair for the ASES SOLAR 2002 National
Solar Conference and was an associate editor of the Solar Energy
Journal. Most noted in his nomination was his continued stewardship
of the Solar Rating and Certification Board (SRCC). As the SRCC
executive director he has advanced the testing and certification
of solar collectors and solar systems and helps assure quality
within the solar water and heating industry.
"My Ph.D. advisor, a world-renowned researcher, counseled
me to go where the fun is as I developed my career," said
Wood. "I have strived to follow this counsel throughout
the journey of my career."
Pianist
Captures Second Place
 Brandon
Lee of Salt Lake City won second prize in the second New York
Piano Competition that concluded here Friday (June 16). Lee,
18, has been studying piano for 14 years and moved with his
family from Hawaii so that he could study music with professor
Gary Amano of Utah State University. He also has performed with
the Utah Symphony and is a past winner in the Utah State Fair
and the Salute to Youth piano competitions. First prize winner
was Hannah Sun of Flushing, N.Y., a Chinese-born musician. The
event was held at the Manhattan School of Music. (Deseret
News, 06/26/04)
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