Nanotechnology in Construction

Construction industry is as old as the civilized living of the mankind. It has undergone tremendous change in terms of building materials e.g. steel and concrete. Now the building inputs are supposed to be less and lighter, smooth and sturdier, cost effective, cleaner and sustainable. Construction technology has to move towards more sophistication with the help of emerging technologies like the nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has a significant effect on building construction, gaining better performance with creating new and novel applications, from self-healing pavements and concrete to self-cleaning surface coatings, as well as high performance and anti-corrosion materials. It could lead to the development of entirely new productive processes with greater energy efficiency, better output, a reduced use of natural raw materials and less waste generation, thus helping towards sustainable development. Nanotechnology is going to drastically change the construction industry in the years to come. Moreover, it offers longer life to the building materials at lower maintenance cost and efforts. In most cases, the use of nanotechnology enabled materials will make it possible for the users to maintain the buildings.

There are large numbers of applications of nanotechnology in construction engineering/industry. Some of these applications are examined in detail below.

1. High performance structural materials – nanostructure modification of steel/metals, ceramics/glass, polymers, cement/concrete, composites through process control or using nanoparticles, nanotubes and nano-admixtures.

2. Functional thin films and coatings - much enhanced performance in, e.g., optical, thermal, durable, abrasion resistant, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion.

3. New sensors, devices and smart structures – enhanced monitoring of structural and environmental conditions, and self-actuating capability, though this tended to be at micro rather than macro-level.

4. Sustainable energy, environment applications - new fuel cells, energy-efficient lightings, special insulating and glazing, pollutants cleaner.

Polymer nanocomposites have been known to exhibit enhancements in mechanical,

thermal, electrical and magnetic properties. The enhancement in properties exhibited by the polymer nanocomposites is mainly governed by two factors: the properties of the constituent phases and the interfacial interactions between the filler and the matrix.

Nano-coating technology is used in Warship and Aircraft anti-corrosion/anti-degradation application

This screen depicts a Fe crystal surface coated by 3 nano-coating layers immersed in water