Glass is often thought of as a stable material - that unless it is broken, it will last forever. This, however, is far from the case. From crizzling and weeping to salt and soap formation, glass objects can deteriorate in a wide array of dramatic and interesting ways. This talk will focus on the many ways glass can deteriorate, the factors that influence how, why, and when it happens, and what can be done to slow or stop it.
Mimi holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Maryland as well as a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Richmond, specializing in glass deterioration. She has just completed work for the Glass Deterioration Working Group at the Smithsonian Institution which conducted the largest study ever undertaken to date on the deterioration of glass collections in museums.
