THE APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

The Application of Nanotechnology to Concrete Construction

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most active research areas with both novel science and useful applications that has gradually established itself in the past two decades. Expenditure on nanotechnology research is significant; however, the research is continuously moving forward motivated by immediate profitable return generated by high value commercial products. The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry might accommodate broad applications of nanotechnology and nanaomaterials. It has been demonstrated that nanotechnology generated products have many unique characteristics, and can significantly fix current construction problems, and may change the requirement and organization of construction process. This paper examines and documents applicable nanotechnology based products that can improve the overall competitiveness of the construction industry. The areas of applying nanotechnology in construction will be mainly focused on: (1) lighter and stronger structural composites, (2) low maintenance coating, (3) better properties of cementitious materials, (4) reducing the thermal transfer rate of fire retardant and insulation, and (5) construction related nano-sensors.

The Application of Nanotechnology to Concrete Construction

Introduction

Nanotechnology, introduced almost half century ago, is one of the most active research areas with both novel science and useful applications that has gradually established itself in the past two decades. The evolution of technology and instrumentation as well as its related scientific areas such as physics and chemistry are making the research on nanotechnology aggressive and evolutional. Not surprisingly, it is observed that expenditure on nanotechnology research is significant.

The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) expenditures exceed $1 billion each year, with the President's 2008 budget for NNI at $1.5 billion. However, the research is mainly moving forward motivated by immediate profitable return generated by high value commercial products (Dhir et al., 2005). According to a study by the Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health (CPGGH), nanotechnology in construction ranked 8 of 10 applications that most likely have impact in the developing world (ARI News, 2005). Although currently behind other areas such as water treatment and remediation, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry might accommodate broad applications of nano-products. Nanotechnology products can be used for design and construction processes in many areas. It is provided to demonstrate that nanotechnology generated products have many unique characteristics, and can significantly fix current construction problems, and may change the requirement and organization of construction process. This paper examines and documents applications of nanotechnology that can improve the overall competitiveness of the construction industry. The data and information collected is from current literature and researches and focus on nanotechnology basics and applications of nanotechnology and nonmaterial in construction areas. The purpose is to point out clearcut direction among the nanotechnology development areas where the construction process would immediately harness nanotechnology, by specifying clear recommendations. The information would be beneficial to both construction engineering education and research.

Benefit of Nanotechnology in Construction

Nanotechnology can be used for design and construction processes in many areas since nanotechnology generated products have many unique characteristics. These characteristics can, again, significantly fix current construction problems, and ...