Nanotechnologies for Climate Friendly
Construction – Key Issues and Challenges
M.M. Andersen and M.R. Geiker
*
Abstract. Expectations as to the climate potentials of nanotechnology are high,
none the least related to the construction sector. This paper seeks to highlight key
aspects in the early development and application of eco-innovative nanotech solutions in the construction sector, “nanoconstruction”. The paper provides a framework for addressing relevant issues of green nanoconstruction and takes stock of
current challenges. Eco-innovative nanoconstruction has the potential to simultaneously enhance the competitiveness and climate potential of the construction sector and could become a key strategic factor for the sector ahead. However, the
considerable lack of knowledge both on the eco-opportunities and risks of nanoconstruction and the industrial dynamics involved forms a serious barrier for pursuing nanoconstruction as a serious strategic target for business and policy.
1 Introduction
Despite the enormous and still rising research and development (R&D) investments in nanotechnology worldwide, nanotechnology is still at an early formative
stage of development; much nanoscience is still pre-commercial [1, 9, 10, 29, 31,
33, 42, 43].
The hype (extensive focus, debate and phantazising) related to nanotechnology
is considerable, with grand expectations of nanotechnology to restructure the
world atom by atom. There are especially high expectations to nanotech’s ecoinnovative (climate friendly, ‘green’) potential. It is difficult to find a nanoreport
or policy document where major environmental benefits are not a main or important claim (see e.g. [13, 22, 31, 35, 37, 39, 40]). As the climate agenda is becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness and development of the
construction sector, the “nanoconstruction” eco-innovative potentials are increasingly interesting.
M.M. Andersen
Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
email: [email protected]
www.man.dtu.dk
M.R. Geiker
Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
email: [email protected]
www.byg.dtu.dk
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M.M. Andersen and M.R. Geiker
At the same time concerns regarding possible environmental and health risks
related to nanotechnology are increasingly being addressed by policy makers,
NGOs, and more lately also nanoscientists and companies and [1, 5, 7, 11, 20, 24,
28, 36, 39]. There are concerns, that regulation is lacking behind the rapid
advances in nanotechnology and a precautionary principle is called for by the
European Commission [17]. There is, as this paper will unfold, overall still much
uncertainty both as to the environmental risks and opportunities related to
nanotechnology [5].
The construction sector was among the first to be identified as a promising application area for nanotechnology back in the beginning of the 1990s; but today
we see that the fragmented, generally low tech-tech and conservative construction
sector is falling behind other sectors in applying nanotechnology [25]. When talking about eco-innovation in nanoconstruction we are still dealing more with potentialities than with actual developments. Data and analyses are lacking [6, 26, 27].
This paper seeks to highlight key aspects in the early development and application of eco-innovative nanotech solutions in the construction sector. The paper
provides a framework for addressing relevant issues of green nanoconstruction
and takes stock of current challenges.
2 Trends and Key Issues in Climate Friendly Nanoconstruction
The great diversity of nanotechnologies means that it is not easy to identify what
green nanotechnology could mean for construction. The high environmental expectations to nanotechnology are related to some fundamental features of
nanotechnology. Potentially the atom-by-atom construction of nanomaterials may
lead to optimised tailoring of materials and products without dangerous and messy
by-products. Self-assembly, i.e. the attempt to mimic nature’s intrinsic way of
building on the nanometre scale, molecule by molecule through self-organization,
has eco-potentials because it is extremely resource efficient ([36] p.39). Also the
large surface area of nanoparticles leads to a high reactivity which may lead to
higher energy efficiency, e.g. increasing absorption rates for light and facilitating
reaction processes at reduced temperatures and with less materials loss ([35] p.89).
An important feature of relevance for nanoconstruction is that nanotechnology
allows the design of materials with multifunctional properties. A single nanomaterial can replace several traditional ones potentially increasing the resource
efficiency. E.g. nanocomposites can be made strong, light, thin, electrically conductive and fireproof. Nanocoatings can be self-cleaning, de-polluting and antimicrobial. See also [6, 23, 27, 35, 41] for early but not very thorough discussions on
green nanotech opportunities in construction.
The goal of a recent Danish report [6] was to identify the potentials of nanotechnology to meet the needs and solve the problems of the construction sector including the environmental challenges. In this work six nanopillars emerged that
systematize the potentials of nanotechnology in relation to the construction industry: 1) nanostructured materials, 2) nanostructured surfaces, 3) nanooptics, 4)
nanosensors & electronics, 5) nanointegrated energy production & storage, 6) nanointegrated environmental remediation. Table 1 gives an overview of nanoresearch and technology areas and their construction relevance.
Nanotechnologies for Climate Friendly Construction
201
Table 1 Overview – nanorelated areas and their relevance for the construction sector
Nanorelated
Relevance for the construction sector (main topics)
research and technology
areas
Topics
Application in
Important environmental
properties
1. Nanostructured mate- Construction materials in general
rials
Insulation materials
a) Nanoporous materials, Load carrying materials
incl. cement and wood
based materials
Multifunctional, including:
b) Polymers
Self-cleaning, impact on indoor and outdoor climate
c) Composites
Strength – weight ratio
Durability
Fire resistance
Energy & resource efficiency
d) Other materials
Recyclability
Degradability
2. Nanostructured surfaces
Everywhere in buildings and civil works, Multifunctional, including:
none the least renovation
Strength and toughness
as coatings and thin films
Durability incl. aesthetics
a) Chemically modified
surfaces
Impact on indoor climate
b) Physically modified
surfaces
Maintainability
Hygiene
Self-cleaning, see Environmental remediation, 6.
3. Nanooptics
Integrated functions in general
a) Planar light wave cir- Electrical and lighting systems
cuits
Climate control
b) Photonic crystal fibers
Energy efficiency
Fire and other safety
c) Light emitting diodes,
LED & OLED
d) Integrated optical sensors
4. Nanosensors & elec- Monitoring and control every where in
buildings and civil works
tronics
Embeddedness
For monitoring and
transmission
Maintainability
a) Biosensors,
b) Optical sensors,
c) Chemical sensors,
d) Gas sensors,
e) Microorganisms,
f) Electro active materials
Durability
Resource efficiency
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M.M. Andersen and M.R. Geiker
5. Nanointegrated en- Heating and cooling systems Building
ergy production & stor- envelope
age
Electricity supply
a) Solar cells
Energy self-sufficiency and –
efficiency
in buildings and utility systems
b) Fuel cells
c) Other
6. Nanointegrated envi- Air purification in buildings and infraronmental remediation structures
a) Catalytic cleaning
Water systems (supply and waste)
b) Other separation and Waste systems
purification processes
Inbuilt air- and water cleaning
Environmental remediation in
general
Indoor climate, incl. cleaning
and hygiene
Degradability
Resource efficiency
Substitution of hazardous materials
Source: Modified after Andersen and Molin 2007
The overview illustrates the great variety and scope of the many emerging nanotechnological areas, and the broad application opportunities which address almost all aspects of construction. They are interesting because they point to novel
climate solutions for achieving resource efficient and intelligent buildings and cities and because many can be applied in existing buildings where the climate potential is considerable; e.g. via surface treatments, applications of thin panels and
high efficient insulation.
The majority of the novel solutions are in an early stage of development, but
some are fully commercial. Data are poor but two recent consultancy reports on
green nanoconstruction [27, 41] identifies a wide range of commercially available
products worldwide, illustrating that much is beginning to happen in this area.
However, so far, it is the major industrial multinational players who are pioneering the development and application of nanotechnologies in construction,
while the majority of (predominantly small) construction companies, universities
and other knowledge institutions have little insight and experience with nanotechnology [6, 8, 12, 23, 26, 32, 44]. A Danish innovation analysis shows a generally
weak demand for nanotechnology in the construction sector:
‘The overall picture of the demand for, knowledge of, and views on nanotechnology in the construction sector is that knowledge and expertise are currently too
fragmented to allow for a substantial uptake, diffusion and development of nanotechnological solutions in the construction industry. At present, only very vague
ideas of the possible benefits can be identified among key agents of change such
as architects, consulting engineers and facility managers. Furthermore the demand
side will be reluctant about introducing nanotechnological materials until convincing documentation about functionalities and long-term effects is produced. A need
for documentation of the consequences for health and safety is evident’. ([6] p.32).
According to the two recent reports on green nanoconstruction [27, 41] barriers
for the wider development of climate friendly nanoconstruction are considerable
Nanotechnologies for Climate Friendly Construction
203
and lie mainly in four areas: a) the lack of knowledge of nanotech opportunities in
the construction sector b) reluctance of the sector towards (radical) innovation, c)
the high costs of some, but not all, nanotechnologies, and d) public concern about
nanorisks.
But another, and often overlooked factor, is that there are also barriers on the
nanoside. Today most nanotechnologies are targeted at other applications than
construction, mainly more knowledge-intensive areas such as medico, food and
military [5, 6, 31, 34]. It will take effort and time to shift the attention and capabilities among the nano scientific community towards the construction area. Also
on the innovation dynamics of nanoconstruction are analysis and insights lacking.
3 Strategies for Climate Friendly Nanoconstruction
In the strategic priorities of the European Construction Technology Platform
(ECTP) see Table 2, climate issues, here ‘becoming sustainable’, is given considerable attention. The ECTP defines sustainable development in construction quite
broadly, encompassing resource efficiency, environmental impact, utility networks, and the cultural heritage and safety issues.
Table 2 List of strategic research priorities ECTP 2005
A: Meeting client / user requirements
A1
Healthy, safe and accessible indoor environment for all
A2
A new image of the cities
A3
Efficient use of underground city space
A4
Mobility and supply through efficient networks
B: Becoming sustainable
B1
Reduce resource consumption (energy , water, materials)
B2
Reduce environmental and man-made impacts
B3
Sustainable management of transport and utilities networks
B4
A living cultural heritage for an attractive Europe
B5
Improve safety and security
C: Transformation of the construction sector
C1
A new client-driven, knowledge-based construction process
C2
ICT and automation
C3
High added-value construction materials
C4
Attractive workplaces
Source: http://www.ectp.org/documentation/ECTP-SRA-2005_12_23.pdf
Generally nanotechnology offers opportunities for meeting many of the challenges addressed by the ECTP strategy. These include A) meeting the user
requirements both in terms of developing intelligent, fashionable and efficient
buildings and cities and an improved indoor environment; B) achieving high
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resource efficiency and contributing to environmental remediation and energy
production; as well as C) renewing the sector in making it more knowledge based
and automated. Nanotechnology may particularly address the climate/sustainability agenda in simultaneously contributing to making the construction sector both more clever and clean and hence improve the innovation capacity
and competitiveness of the sector [2, 5]. In doing so, the nanoconstruction area fits
well with the rapidly rising policy and business interest into “eco-innovation”1.
The climate agenda is increasingly moving away from the more general sustainable development agenda towards the market oriented “eco-innovation” agenda [3,
4, 30].
The eco-innovation policy perspective seeks to address the specific challenges
different sectors and types of companies face when they are eco-innovative. “Sustainable construction” has recently been identified as one of the six ‘lead markets’
for innovation in the EU and one out of four eco-innovation policy priority areas
[16, 18, 19]. Germany has recently launched a major programme within nanoconstruction, which includes climate issues [23]. This underlines the recent considerable interest in promoting eco-innovation in the construction sector which could
form a window of opportunity for the development of nanoconstruction.
4 Conclusions
Eco-innovative nanoconstruction has the potential to simultaneously enhance the
competitiveness and climate potential of the construction sector and could become
a key strategic factor for the sector ahead. This paper has shortly discussed a wide
range of potential nanotechnologies applicable for construction with promising
climate impacts, most, however, in an early stage of development. They are none
the least interesting because they point to novel climate solutions for achieving
resource efficient and intelligent buildings and cities and because many can be applied in existing buildings where the climate potential is considerable. It is essential, however, that the current knowledge gap on risk issues, eco-opportunities and
industrial dynamics are met if green nanoconstruction is to move from expectations to a serious strategic target for business and policy makers.
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