Nanotechnology in Construction

Introduction to Nanotechnology

The term “Nanotechnology” was coined by Professor ‘Norio Taniguchi’ in 1969 and nanotechnology itself came into use with the development of the scanning tunnelling microscope. But the concept of nanotechnology was introduced by physicist Richard Feynman with a talk “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” on 29 Dec 1959 at American Physical Society meeting in California Institute of technology.

Nanotechnology is a technique in which we become capable of controlling and manipulating the substance on the molecular and atomic level. It can be used in various fields of Science such as physics, material science, biology, chemistry, engineering etc. Nanotechnology is used in characterisation, production and design of materials, devices and structures. Nanotechnology by functioning at nanoscale can provide radically different properties in a material and this is revolutionary and has the potential to make an impact on society. Nanotechnology will be very benefitting to us.

To have an idea of how small a nanometer is, 1 nanometer is equal to a billionth of a metre. That means, 1 nanometer = 10^-9 metre. On a comparative basis the thickness of a paper is 100,000 nanometers.

Applications of Nanotechnology in Construction

The applications of nanotechnology are in various fields such as energy, industrial and medicinal uses and makes construction materials more durable other than construction industry nanotechnology is used in cancer treatments, nanoscale electronics, hydrogen fuel cells, vaccines and nanographene batteries. The use of nanoparticles in the construction industry will make them efficient, smart and also eco-friendly.

Nanotechnology is responsible for developing the light weight, durable and long living construction materials. Presently good insulating materials developed by nanotechnology are already available in the market which makes it possible to thermal rehabilitate the buildings which is conventionally not possible thus it helps in energy efficiency, also the various techniques are developed to treat the surfaces of wood, metal, glass or masonry that extends their life and protects it.

Nanotechnology helps make construction materials like cement and concrete to be more durable, fire resistant, self-healing, stronger, air purifying, easy clean and quick concrete compacting and the nanoparticles that are responsible for this phenomenon in construction materials are CNFs(Carbon Nanofibers), nanostructured materials, silica fume and carbon nanotubes. Denseness and stabilisation in suspension is the property in cement that comes with polymer additives and Silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Nanotechnology is also used as Photocatalytic, water & germ repellent, antibacterial products such as zinc, nano-structured titanium dioxide and other oxides. A considerable impact on glass by nanotechnology makes it UV controlling, energy saving and easy cleaning which makes the windows multifunctional.

Climatic concerns are also making the construction industry shift towards using nanoparticles for saving energy as the building industry is already a high energy consuming sector dependent on fossil fuels etc. Thus, the isolative materials like PCM(Phase Change Materials), VIP(Vacuum Insulation Panels) have emerged and the materials like AL2NO3 or ZnO and TiO2 are used in construction as the final coat on ceramics. The specific use of TiO2, when exposed to UV light, is to break down pollution and dirt, where ZnO is resistant to UV rays in paint or coating and AI2O3 makes it scratch resistant.

Advantages of Nanoparticles in Construction

1. Nanotechnology in construction is energy efficient
2. Nanotechnology in construction is eco-friendly because it has less energy consumption.
3. Nanotechnology makes the material lightweight.
4. Nanotechnology makes the Building materials Durable.
5. Nanotechnology enhances the property of materials.
6. Nanotechnology also helps to make glass or window multifunctional by making it quick cleansing and UV resistant.
7. Nanotechnology increases the life of building materials.

Nanomaterials used in Construction

Some of the nanomaterials that are used in Construction Industry are:

1. Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles
2. Quantum Dots
3. Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
4. Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles
5. Carbon Nanotubes
6. Copper Nanoparticles
7. Silver Nanoparticles
8. PCM (Phase Change Materials)
9. VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panels)

Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles: This nanoparticle provides reinforcement in mechanical strength of Concrete, works as fire resistant, light transmission and coolant in ceramics and it provides anti-reflection and flame-proof property in windows.

Quantum Dots: Concrete is one of the main materials to concrete and it helps in improving mechanical strength of concrete and also it does electron mediation in solar cells effectively.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: As concrete is a major material in construction, iron oxide nanoparticles make it abrasion resistant and increase its compressive strength.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: It makes glass or window anti-fogging, fouling-resistance and superhydrophilicity and generates non-utility electricity in solar cells and at last increased degree of hydration, rapid hydration and self-cleaning in concrete.

Carbon Nanotubes: It enhances thermal and mechanical properties in ceramics, effective electron mediation and structural health monitoring – real time(MEMS/NEMS) in solar cells and crack prevention and mechanical durability in Cement.

Copper Nanoparticles: It provides corrosion resistance, weldability and formality like property in steel.

Silver Nanoparticles: It provides biocidal activity in paint and coatings.

PCM & VIP: These are isolative materials used in the construction industry to improve climatic concerns.

Advantages of Nanotechnology in Construction

The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry in several ways, leading to improved efficiencies, cost savings, and enhanced safety measures.

One significant advantage of the metaverse is its ability to create virtual representations of construction projects. This technology allows architects and engineers to visualize and simulate construction plans in a 3D environment, identifying potential issues and making changes before construction begins. By utilizing the metaverse, the construction industry can save time and money by reducing the number of costly design changes during construction.

Additionally, the metaverse can improve safety in the construction industry by allowing workers to train and practice safety procedures in a virtual environment before they are implemented on a construction site. This reduces the risk of injury and ensures that workers are adequately prepared to carry out their duties safely.

Overall, the use of the metaverse in the construction industry can lead to a more efficient, cost-effective, and safer construction process. By embracing this technology, construction companies can gain a competitive advantage and deliver better results for their clients.

Conclusion

Nanotechnology is fast evolving in the present world and is capable of changing,  altering or manipulating the very atomic structure of any substance, as this technology keeps evolving it will simultaneously make us capable of putting in desired properties in the material. If we consider the current progress, they have already made materials hydrophobic to keep water away. This is possible with nanotechnology and not just building industry but every other field will benefit through this technology. Currently, the costs of nanotechnology materials are still high compared to conventional materials so there is no vast use of Nanoparticles in the construction industry but it will change as the technology progresses.