The older, more tested way of removing soot is to use a rubber sponge. But when books were wiped down, the soot would stick to the sponge. When workers were done, the book would be placed in an ozone chamber and "ozinated." The downside to this process is that the remaining soot is pushed farther down into the material it is attached to.

Dry ice blasting breaks up the soot and removes it almost completely from the surface.

"I just think it is breakthrough technology," Silverman said. "I am really excited about it."

There is such interest in the use of dry ice blasting that Silverman is working on an article to be shared with his colleagues about it.

Park City has also given Coldsweep a nod, using the process in homes. The blasting has been used to remove failing paint and also to age things.

"One of the great things about this process is that we can make new look new, old look older and new look old," Heath said. "This process is just so diverse in its uses."

---

E-mail: blee@desnews.com