Application of NanoTechnologies
in the Built Environment
Dr Toby Gill
Nanotechnology KTN
What is Nanotechnology?
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Nanotechnology, shortened to "Nanotech", is the study of the control
of matter on an atomic and molecular scale.
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Generally nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100
nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices
within that size. One nanometer (nm) is one billionth, or 10-9, of a
meter.
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To put that scale in another context, the comparative size of a
nanometer to a meter is the same as that of a marble to the size of the
earth. Or another way of putting it: a nanometer is the amount a man's
beard grows in the time it takes him to raise the razor to his face.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology
A Brief History of NanoTech
Lycurgus Cup
Deruto/Gubbio Plate
Electron Microscopy
Term
Quantum Dots
DP Lithography
400AD
15th Century
1933
1974
1988
1999
400
Stained Glass
First Photograph
Richard Feynman
Bucky Ball – C60
Carbon Nanotubes
500 onwards
1825
1959
1985
1991
General Commercial Products
NanoMaterials Market Construction
Coatings 73%
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Current use of nanomaterials in
construction is limited
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US Demand in 2006 was less than $20 mil
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Projected Increase
– $100 million in 2011
– $400 million in 2016
– $1.75 billion in 2025
Other Applications 15%
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Composites 12%
US Demand by Application of
Nanomaterials in Construction
2011
Nanomaterials offer improved performance
properties for adhesives, concrete,
coatings, flooring, glass, lighting
equipment, plumbing fixtures, and other
construction products.
Nanotechnology in Construction Report – US Forecasts 2007
NanoMaterials - Coatings
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Coatings expected to be largest market for
use of nanomaterials in construction
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Architectural paints
Water sealers
Deck treatments
Scratch-resistant coatings
Anti-Microbial coatings
Self-cleaning surfaces
UV blocking
Stain resistant
Odour resistant
The coatings can be applied to products
during manufacture or afterwards
NanoMaterials Coatings – Glass
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Self-cleaning glass
– Titanium Dioxide photocatalytic coating
Breaks down dirt and water washes away
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Temperature Regulating
– Intelligent Glass that blocks heat not light
– Vanadium Dioxide used to absorb infra-red
light above specific temperature
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Thermal Insulation
– Coating that reflects heat back into the room
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Scratch Resistant Coatings
NanoMaterials Coatings - Paint
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Self-cleaning exterior coating.
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Based on ‘Lotus Leaf’ effect.
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Microstructure has been modelled on the
lotus plant to minimize the contact area for
water and dirt.
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The surface additionally offers enhanced
hydrophobic properties.
NanoMaterials Coatings - Textiles
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Fabric and garments with Nano treatment.
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Liquid repellent
Oil and Stain resistance
UV protection
Anti-bacterial
Flame Retardant
Anti-Mosquito
Self-Cleaning
NanoMaterials – Cleaning Products
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Spray on Coatings.
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Treatment repels dirt and dust.
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‘Spot free finish’. Water wets the surface
and forms a thin layer, resulting in faster
drying and the absence of water marks on
the surface.
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Prevention of fogging by the formation of a
thin transparent film of water rather than
small droplets which diffuse the light.
NanoMaterials - Insulation
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Aerogels have extreme structures and
extreme physical properties
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Typical properties of silica aerogel
materials are:
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Aerogels have the lowest thermal conductivity
values of any solid
Exceptional reflectors of audible sound, making
excellent barrier materials
Energy absorption
High internal surface areas (up to 1500 m2/g)
Ultra-low refractive index values for a solid,
approaching that for air
Ultra-low dielectric constants for a solid
NanoMaterials - Concrete
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Nano based binder for paints, mortars,
renderings, plasters and concrete.
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Photocatalytic principle for cement
products which can reduce organic and
inorganic pollutants that are present in the
air.
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Researchers have calculated – on the basis
of test results – that covering 15% of visible
urban surfaces with products containing
this nanomaterial would enable a reduction
in pollution of approximately 50%.
NanoMaterials - Air Filtration
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Nano e-HEPA (for electric High Efficiency
Particulate Arrest) filtration system.
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Uses metal dust filter coated with 8nanometer silver particles
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Kills 99.7 percent of influenza viruses
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Up to 98 percent of odours eliminated
NanoMaterials - Air Filtration
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Photocatalysis Converts and breaks down
harmful chemical vapours and odours.
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Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in the presence
of UV light has a natural purifying effect on
organic compounds, odours, and toxic
gases of all kinds.
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Its oxidizing effect converts chemical and
biological contaminants into benign
elements - carbon dioxide and water
vapour.
NanoMaterials - Air Filtration
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Nanofibre products and Nanofibre filter
media for applications where sub-micron
fibre diameters, high filtration efficiency,
high surface area and other unique material
properties are useful.
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Nanofibre filter media can be used for
– Dust collection
– Gas turbine air filtration
– Air filters for heavy-duty engines
NanoMaterials – Water Purification
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Portable water purification systems for air
force
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Nanotechnology removes microorganisms
from fluids without use of heat, ultra-violet
radiation, chemicals, contact time, or
significant pressure
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Filter made from carbon nanotubes
NanoMaterials - Adhesives
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Synthetic Gecko
– Macro, Micro, Nano hairs
– Polymer Fibres
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Stronger Adhesives
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Used for
– Repairs, bandages…
– Increased friction e.g brakes, tyres…
– European Space Agency interested in ways of
holding spacecraft to asteroids
– Robots (so-called Waalbots) for repairing
vehicles in space
NanoMaterials - NanoComposites
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Composites with oxides and clay particle
reinforcements are being developed for use
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Insulation
Roofing materials
Vinyl siding
Flooring
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Nanocomposites may also be developed for
use as primary building materials, replacing
traditional materials such as wood and
gypsum.
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Oxides and Clays expected to be the large
market ahead of CNTs and Bucky Balls.
Materials Modification - Steel
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Modifying the material structure at the
nano-scale to gain enhancements.
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Steel with a completely different structure
at the nano or atomic scale, a laminated lath
structure resembling “plywood”.
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Does not form microgalvanic cells which
leads to corrosion.
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Five times as corrosion-resistant and three
times as strong as unmodified.
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Maintains excellent mechanical behaviour
at temperatures below -200ºF.
Surface Modification
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Self-cleaning clay roof tile
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Etched surface finish destroys organic dirt
particles such as fat deposits, grime, moss
and algae using sunlight. Rain washes them
clean.
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surface finish destroys dirt particles, grease
deposits, soot, moss and algae
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Micro- and Nano- surface finishes inspired
by self-cleaning biological surfaces have
now been applied to paints, glass, textiles,
and more, reducing the need for toxic
chemistries and costly labour.
Energy
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Energy saving is predicted to play a major role in future nanotech for
energy markets
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Scientists around the world are looking for new ways to store energy,
which will enable alternative energy to play a dominant role in energy
production.
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Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health (CPGGH) study
– International panel of 63 experts selected energy production, conversion
and storage, along with creation of alternative fuels, as the area where
nanotechnology applications are most likely to benefit developing countries.
– Nano-structured materials are being used to build a new generation of solar
cells, hydrogen fuel cells and novel hydrogen storage systems that will
deliver clean energy.
Solar Energy
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Solar cells industry is expected to grow by
44 percent in 2009, after a growth rate of 47
percent in 2008.
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Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS)
solar cells have pushed the market as
manufacturers developed unique
deposition methods and substrates using
nanomaterials.
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New developments with nanomaterials will
help solar wafer manufacturers to reduce
the amount of waste, or kerf, when slicing
silicon wafers. Reducing costs.
www.theinformationnet.com
Construction Commercial Products
Further Reading
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“Nanotechnology for Green Building”
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Insights from exclusive Green Technology Forum interviews with
leaders in the nanotech field and examples including how a single
nanotech innovation is saving one company $2.6 million in energy
costs and reducing their CO2 emissions by 35 million pounds per
year.
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130 start-ups and established companies offering or developing
nanomaterials for green building, 54 projects underway at universities
and research centres, and 43 recent patents available for licensing
http://www.greentechforum.net/greenbuild/
Summary
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Nanotechnology offers much, it is more a question of where
nanotechnology can not make an impact rather then where it
can!
– All about timing and associated costs
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Nanoscience has a role to play in addressing many of the key
issues society faces.
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Energy
Healthcare
Environment
Security
…………….. All relevant to the Modern Built Environment!
UK Activities
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Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R&D Programme
– Retrofit for the Future: £10 million of funding to address the challenge of
housing refurbishment
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Research Council Funding
– First Grand Challenge: Energy (2007, 8 projects with £6.7 million for first
stage)
– Third Grand Challenge: Carbon utilisation or capture (outline proposals
call to be issued at the beginning of June)
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NanoKTN Sector Focus Groups
– High Performance Materials
– Coatings
– Energy
Thank You!
Dr Toby Gill
Nanotechnology KTN
Email: [email protected]
URL: www.nanoktn.com
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