Established in 2004 and supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the center employs scientific and technical methods to investigate and preserve artistic and cultural artifacts, helping to uncover details about their creation, history, and conservation.

[2][3] Under their leadership, NU-ACCESS grew quickly into a prominent facility for art conservation research, education, and collaboration, furthering its mission to enhance the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage through scientific innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation.

[5] The center's activities range from studying the curing processes of artists’ paints to employing advanced digital imaging techniques for analyzing the evolution of color in artworks.

The center, physically based at Northwestern University, facilitates interdisciplinary research partnerships and serves as a collaborative hub for scholars, scientists, and museum professionals.NU-ACCESS has been involved in numerous research projects and has contributed to significant exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, such as “Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917” and “Watercolors by Winslow Homer: The Color of Light.” Its work has played a crucial role in uncovering details about the materials and techniques used by artists, and in some cases, identifying the origins of unmarked artworks.

One of the notable projects involves the use of X-Ray Computed Tomography to non-invasively visualize both the internal and external geometries of art objects, enabling precise measurements of size and density calculations.

This is exemplified in the detailed study of “Danaë” by Orazio Gentileschi, aiming to discern variations in the Italian master’s painting technique and resolve debates regarding the presence of pentimenti.

[16] The preservation of historical artworks is further addressed through the study of soap protrusions on oil paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, guiding conservation decisions, and the use of optical imaging for watermark detection, presenting a cost-effective and efficient alternative to beta-radiography.