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Dr. Joseph Bevitt, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) - Australia

Biography:

Dr Joseph Bevitt is a 3D imaging scientist and group manager at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, where he leads the Imaging and Strain Scanning Group. He specializes in applying neutron and synchrotron-based techniques to exceptionally preserved fossil remains, significant cultural heritage objects and engineered materials. 

Joseph attained a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sydney in 2006, managed ANSTO's Research Office and external access to its nuclear capabilities before transitioning to his current role. He holds a Powerhouse research fellowship, serves on the advisory board of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Macquarie University’s Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and Environment, and is a Member of the IUCr Commission on Crystallography in Art and Cultural Heritage. His discoveries have been featured in Science, global news outlets, public exhibitions, on postage stamps and coinage, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and cultural storytelling.  

Abstract: 

The Invisible Revealed was a groundbreaking, interdisciplinary exhibition presented at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum in 2022. The exhibit was developed in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the Expanded Perception and Interaction Centre (EPICentre) at UNSW, and explored the fusion of science, technology, and cultural heritage through the application of nine, non-destructive nuclear, synchrotron and particle accelerator-based analyses—with an emphasis on neutron and synchrotron tomography—to uncover the hidden structures of 26 culturally significant objects spanning over 3,000 years. These artefacts ranged from ancient Egyptian and Chinese relics to Samurai swords and early modern technologies.

By revealing manufacturing details and internal compositions, the exhibition provided unprecedented insights into object histories, answering long standing curatorial and conservational questions. Digital reconstructions, including AI-generated completions of fragmented objects, enabled immersive public engagement and reinterpretation of heritage material. The Invisible Revealed exemplifies the power of collaborative, cross-disciplinary research in reimagining museum experiences and advancing conservation science. For these innovations, The Invisible Revealed project was awarded the 2022 Museums and Galleries National Award (MAGNA) for Research, highlighting its impact and innovative approach to cultural heritage preservation and public engagement.