Eight glass tiles from Saint-Sauveur in Burgundy, which are considered to be of early medieval date, were investigated. These tiles, which are in a good state of preservation, are 10 centimeters square and nearly two centimeters thick. They are made of dark glass with red and white glass inlays. These glass tiles have often been compared with those from the early medieval monastery of Corvey in Germany. However, because they lack an archaeological context, their date is uncertain. PIXE-PIGE and LA-ICP-MS analyses revealed a wood-ash glass composition, close to that of High Lime Low Alkali (HLLA) glass dating from the 14th century and later. The authors' trace analyses confirm the more recent dating because the elements associated with cobalt reveal sources used only from the 16th century.

Les bronzes noirs sont connus depuis le Moyen Empire égyptien ; leur existence est ensuite attestée à Mycènes, en Grèce et dans la Rome antique, puis au Japon à l’époque moderne. Il s’agit d’une technique de patinage volontaire des alliages du cuivre par des procédés chimiques dont seules les recettes japonaises sont connues. Après une courte introduction historique et quelques considérations sur la structure et la composition des patines de bronzes noirs, cet article fait état d’observations et de reconstitutions de laboratoire inédites. Il s’attache à proposer des interprétations électrochimique et physique sur les mécanismes de formation et les propriétés optiques des couches de patine noire caractéristiques des objets obtenus par ces procédés.

The collection of early medieval window glass found in the abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura, France) is exceptional because it dates to the end of the eighth century, and due to the number of fragments as well as their state of conservation. Different colours and forms have been identified. These pieces are a rare opportunity to address the glass craft, its recipes and techniques for a phase of its history that has remained little known. Analyses in PIXE–PIGE prove that, in addition to fragments from two soda glass items, the pieces are made from wood-ash glass. Most of them probably came from the same production and the raw material is present in the region. At this early stage of wood-ash glass production, the glassmakers had mastered the glass as well as the colour processes.

harvesting and low conversion efficiency. In order to overcome this limitation, high surface area templated films are investigated as alternative to nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing. In this study, films prepared from different structuring agents are discussed in terms of microstructural properties (pore size, surface area) as well as impact on the dye loading and Spiro-OMeTAD (2,2',7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)9,9'-spirobifluorene) solid electrolyte filling. We report Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry as an innovative non-destructive tool to characterize the hole transporting materials infiltration. Templated films show dye loading more than two times higher than nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing and solid electrolyte infiltration up to 88%. TiO2 templated films used as photoelectrode for solid-state DSSC applications: Study of the solid electrolyte infiltration by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry

Les Bossats, near Ormesson, France, is a newly discovered late Mousterian open air site dated to around 47,000years ago by thermoluminescence. The archaeological level, fossilized by loess, revealed a rich industry based on the discoid mode, associated with numerous fragments of red and yellow iron oxide-rich rocks showing clear traces of powder production (abrasion, striation, scraping), which are exceptional remains for this remote period. Archeological material and geological samples from the close environment were studied by PIXE and by petrographical observations made on thin sections. The geological sources were identified by means of PIXE analyses on two IBA facilities: AGLAE (2 MV tandem) at the C2RMF in Paris and the cyclotron of the IPNAS (University of Liège). We paid particular attention to the comparison of results obtained on both installations by using the same set of geological standards and by a fine evaluation of the limit of detection relative to each trace elements of interest for both experimental set ups. The elemental fingerprint of one geological source of iron-rich concretions corresponds clearly with the archaeological collection. At least, this investigation demonstrates that the colouring materials were minutely selected in the close neighbouring of the site by the Neanderthals.

This paper concerns the early medieval window glass from the monastery of Stavelot. The number of fragments, the surface and the quality of conservation are quite exceptional,and Stavelot is as a very important site for the study of ancient glass, particularly glass from the early Middle Ages, about which little is still known. Beside their interest for the history of the site and its comprehension, these glass artifacts give us the possibility of tackling the history of the stained-glass window and glass fabrication techniques. The archaeological study allows us to quantify and characterize the fragments (shapes, colors, shaping techniques). The analyses in PIXE-PIGE provide us with the glass composition. The coexistence of soda and potash glass in the same archaeological contexts, points out compositional groups revealing various recipes. This also allows us to learn about the coloration process. Finally, the question of glass production on the site is debated.

Specialized supply of colouring materials during the Chatelperronian at Arcy-sur-Cure (Yonne, France). The Grotte du Renne in Arcy-sur-Cure reveals the richest archaeological record concerning the transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic. Many red or black colouring minerals were excavated in the whole Chatelperronian sequence showing use wear facets. In this paper, we analyze the supply of raw ferruginous materials aimed at the production in situ of a fine grained red powder with strong colouring power. Our study evidences the spaces known by the last Neanderthals populations from settlement to settlement, but also the choices or the technical constraints, the cultural traditions as well as the economical and social organization which made possible the extraction, the transformations and utilisations of iron oxide rich rocks. We crossed petrographical, mineralogical and geochemical data in order to make relationship between archaeological ferruginous stones and geological references sampled by ourselves in an area covering 50 km radius around the cave. Key-words: Haematite, Procurement strategy, Geochemistry, PIXE, Petrography. 1 Prealables a l’analyse des provenances de materiaux colorants 1.1 De l’emploi de pigments rouges avant l’art figuratif Depuis une vingtaine d’annees, les decouvertes de vestiges colorants se multiplient dans des contextes ou les pratiques esthetiques sont rarissimes et discutables, tels que le Middle Stone Age en Afrique ou le Paleolithique moyen en Europe (D’Errico et al. 2010, par exemple). Dans le contexte chronoculturel de la transition entre le Paleolithique moyen et le Paleolithique superieur auquel appartient le Châtelperronien, entre environ 41 000 et 36 000 a 32 000 BP, les materiaux colorants ont ete abondamment utilises par les derniers Hommes de Neandertal. Communement considerees comme des temoins des pratiques symboliques ou esthetiques, ces matieres colorantes mises au jour dans des niveaux archeologiques qui precedent l’avenement de l’art figuratif, questionnent les modalites de l’emergence de telles pratiques. 1.2 Concernant le Châtelperronien de la grotte

Liquid-state dye-sensitized solar cells can suffer from electrolyte evaporation and leakage. Therefore solid-state hole transporting materials are investigated as alternative electrolyte materials. However, in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, optimal TiO2 films thickness is limited to a few microns allowing the adsorption of only a low quantity of photoactive dye and thus leading to poor light harvesting and low conversion efficiency. In order to overcome this limitation, high surface area templated films are investigated as alternative to nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing. Moreover, templating is expected to improve the pore accessibility what would promote the solid electrolyte penetration inside the porous network, making possible efficient charge transfers. In this study, films prepared from different structuring agents are discussed in terms of microstructural properties (porosity, crystallinity) as well as impact on the dye loading and Spiro-OMeTAD (2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)9,9′-spirobifluorene) solid electrolyte filling. We first report Rutherford backscattering spectrometry as an innovative non-destructive tool to characterize the hole transporting materials infiltration. Templated films show dye loading more than two times higher than nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing and solid electrolyte infiltration up to 88%.