Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Construction: Bridging the Gap between Researchers and Industry Professionals
01 May 2012-Journal of Construction Engineering and Management-asce (American Society of Civil Engineers)-Vol. 138, Iss: 5, pp 594-604
TL;DR: In this article, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework was developed to rank application areas of nanotechnology that will have major effects in the construction industry and identify the potential benefits and existing barriers of using nanotechnology in construction.
Abstract: Nanotechnology research and product development are actively conducted in many industries, (such as industries that manufacture advanced materials and semiconductors) and in medicine. Few studies have presented the potential application areas of nanotechnology in, and the needs of, the construction industry while identifying the benefits and barriers of entry in research and development. Some construction industry sectors follow research and development in nanotechnology; however, the industry does not take on a leadership role. With proper knowledge of the potential products and techniques offered through an investment in nanotechnology, the construction industry may potentially improve the efficiency of its processes and offer better products to clients such as those that exist in building and infrastructure construction and in environmental and petroleum engineering. This paper analyzes the understanding of nanotechnology in the context of construction and explores the current status of nanotechnology in the construction industry. Findings from a literature review, from a survey among construction industry professionals, and from expert interviews with leading researchers in construction-related nanotechnology research and development are presented to identify the potential benefits and existing barriers of using nanotechnology in construction. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework was developed to rank application areas of nanotechnology that will have major effects in the construction industry. Tasks were identified that will make the application of nanotechnology in construction successful in the future.
Citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the advances in using nano-materials in hot mix asphalt are reviewed and a reasonable selection of nanomaterials used in asphalt, nano-modified asphalt can offer many benefits in cold regions.
213 citations
TL;DR: The objective of this study was to analyse the use of nanoparticles within the construction industry to exemplify the benefits of nanoparticle applications and to address the short-term and long-term effects of nanop particles on the environment and human health within the microcosm of industry so that the findings may be generalised.
Abstract: Nanoparticles are defined as ultrafine particles sized between 1 and 100 nanometres in diameter. In recent decades, there has been wide scientific research on the various uses of nanoparticles in construction, electronics, manufacturing, cosmetics, and medicine. The advantages of using nanoparticles in construction are immense, promising extraordinary physical and chemical properties for modified construction materials. Among the many different types of nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, carbon nanotubes, silica, copper, clay, and aluminium oxide are the most widely used nanoparticles in the construction sector. The promise of nanoparticles as observed in construction is reflected in other adoptive industries, driving the growth in demand and production quantity at an exorbitant rate. The objective of this study was to analyse the use of nanoparticles within the construction industry to exemplify the benefits of nanoparticle applications and to address the short-term and long-term effects of nanoparticles on the environment and human health within the microcosm of industry so that the findings may be generalised. The benefits of nanoparticle utilisation are demonstrated through specific applications in common materials, particularly in normal concrete, asphalt concrete, bricks, timber, and steel. In addition, the paper addresses the potential benefits and safety barriers for using nanomaterials, with consideration given to key areas of knowledge associated with exposure to nanoparticles that may have implications for health and environmental safety. The field of nanotechnology is considered rather young compared to established industries, thus limiting the time for research and risk analysis. Nevertheless, it is pertinent that research and regulation precede the widespread adoption of potentially harmful particles to mitigate undue risk.
132 citations
Cites background from "Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Co..."
...The distinctive physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles allow the design of systems with high sensitivity, large surface areas, special surface effects, high functional density, catalytic effects, and high strain resistance [10]....
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...Therefore, nanomaterials with properties, such as durability and strength, are of particular interest in the production of concrete [10]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a taxonomy and construct of research in concrete waterproofing research is established and three classification of additives based on material structure, method of application and additives functions are established.
123 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of asphalt binder (AC-10) modified with organo-modified nanoclay (CL-30B) has been investigated for rutting, ageing resistivity potential and fatigue performance.
Abstract: Organo-modified nanoclay has got considerable attention in recent years to improve the performance of asphalt binders. However, various aspects such as rutting performance using Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) test, fatigue performance using Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) test and ageing resistivity potential using advanced rheological parameter are still unexplored for better rheological characterisation. The present study deals with rutting, ageing resistivity potential and fatigue performance of asphalt binder (AC-10) modified with organo-modified nanoclay (CL-30B). Different percentages (0, 2, 4 and 6% by weight of binder) of CL-30B were mixed with AC-10 using a high-shear mixer. Different rheological studies, such as Brookfield viscosity, Superpave performance grading, time–temperature sweep, MSCR and LAS tests, were conducted on CL-30B-modified asphalt binders. Effects of CL-30B on performance were observed to be predominant in intermediate to high-temperature range as obtained from the master c...
77 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential environmental, health and safety impacts of coatings containing nanomaterials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were evaluated using three different paint compositions.
Abstract: Nanotechnologies are expected to hold considerable potential for the development of new materials in the construction sector. Up to now the environmental benefits and risks of products containing manufactured nanomaterials (MNM) have been quantified only to a limited extent. This study aims to assess the potential environmental, health and safety impacts of coatings containing MNM using Life-cycle assessment: Do paints containing MNM result in a better environmental performance than paints not containing MNM? The study shows that the results depend on a number of factors: (i) The MNM have to substitute an (active) ingredient of the initial paint composition and not simply be an additional ingredient. (ii) The new composition has to extend the lifetime of the paint for such a time period that the consumption of paint along the life cycle of a building is reduced. (iii) Releases of MNM have to be reduced to the lowest level possible (in particular by dumping unused paint together with the packaging). Only when all these boundary conditions are fulfilled, which is the case only for one of the three paint systems examined, is an improved environmental performance of the MNM-containing paint possible for the paint compositions examined in this study.
67 citations
Cites background from "Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Co..."
...ones concerning potential applications of nanotechnology (Teizer et al. 2012)....
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...Several studies published in recent years rank this sector among the most relevant ones concerning potential applications of nanotechnology (Teizer et al. 2012)....
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...…the application of manufactured nanomaterials (MNM)1 may offer improved environmental performance, i.e. a reduction in the use of hazardous chemical substances, in the consumption of materials, and in the generation of waste (more details e.g. in Teizer et al. 2012, or Hanus and Harris 2013)....
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References
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TL;DR: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects.
Abstract: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects. Some of these applications are now realized in products. Others are demonstrated in early to advanced devices, and one, hydrogen storage, is clouded by controversy. Nanotube cost, polydispersity in nanotube type, and limitations in processing and assembly methods are important barriers for some applications of single-walled nanotubes.
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"Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Co..." refers background in this paper
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the practicality of replacing portland cements with alternative hydraulic cements that could result in lower total CO 2 emissions per unit volume of concrete of equivalent performance.
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TL;DR: Lithography with Neutral Metastable Atoms 1838 4.1.
Abstract: 4.1. Nanomachining with Scanning Probes 1831 4.2. Soft Lithography 1832 4.3. Embossing with Rigid Masters 1835 4.4. Near-Field Phase-Shifting Photolithography 1835 4.5. Topographically Directed Photolithography 1837 4.6. Topographically Directed Etching 1837 4.7. Lithography with Neutral Metastable Atoms 1838 4.8. Approaches to Size Reduction 1839 5. Techniques for Making Regular or Simple Patterns 1839
1,477 citations
"Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Co..." refers background or methods in this paper
...The approach can be summarized as “a set of tools designed to build a smaller set of tools” (Rogers 1999); it includes lithography (e....
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...Salamanca-Buentello et al. (2005) correlated the top 10 applications of nanotechnology with the millenium development goals (MDG), a nanotechnology impact ranking provided by the United Nations (UN)....
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