Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Construction: Bridging the Gap between Researchers and Industry Professionals
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138, Issue 5
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.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The Construction Industry Institute (CII) at the University of Texas at Austin made his work possible.
References
ASCE. (2005). “Report card for America’s infrastructure. American society of civil engineers.” 〈http://www.asce.org〉 (Mar. 8, 2008).
Baer, D. R., Burrows, P. E., and El-Azab, A. A. (2003). “Enhancing coating functionality using nanoscience and nanotechnology.” Prog. Org. Coat.POGCAT, 47(3–4), 342–356.
Bartos, P. J. M. (2006). “NANOCONEX Roadmap-novel materials.” Proc., Nanotechnology in Construction 2nd Int. Symp., Centre for Nanomaterials Applications in Construction, Bilbao, Spain 〈http://www.mmsconferencing.com/nanoc/〉 (Jan. 13, 2008).
BASF Group. (2008). 〈http://www.basf.com〉 (Nov. 1, 2008).
Baughman, R. H., Zakhidov, A. A., and de Heer, W. (2002). “Carbon nanotubes—The route toward applications.” Science, 297(5582), 787–792.SCIEAS
BCC Research. (2008). “Nanotechnology reports and reviews.” 〈http://www.bccresearch.com/nanotechnology/〉 (Mar. 5, 2008).
Beatty, C. (2006). “Nanomodification of asphalt to lower construction temperatures.” NSF Workshop on Nanotechnology, Material Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Bell, T. E. (2006). “Reporting risk assessment of nanotechnology: A reporter’s guide to sources and research issues.” 〈http://www.nano.gov〉 (Apr. 10, 2008).
Birgisson, B. (2008). “Introduction to the promise of nanotechnology for concrete.” AFN15T Workshop on the Promise of Nanotechnology for Concrete at the 87th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Biscarini, F., Taliani, C., Chen, J., and Komanduri, R. (2002). “Nanomanufacturing and processing research, education, infrastructure, security, resource.” J. Manuf. Sci. Eng.JMSEFK, 124(2), 489–490.
Bolte, G. (2009). “Innovative building material—Reduction of air pollution through TiCem.” Proc., Nanotechnology in Construction 3, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, 55–61.
Campillo, I., Dolado, J. S., and Porro, A. (2002). “High-performance nanostructured materials for construction.” Proc. 1st Int. Symp. on Nanotechnology in Construction, Paisley, 110–121.
Chaturvedi, S., and Ochsendorf, J. (2004). “Global environmental impacts due to concrete and steel.” Struct. Eng. Int., 14(3), 198–200.
Chen, Y., and Pépin, A. (2001). “Nanofabrication: Conventional and nonconventional methods.” Electrophoresis, 22(2), 187–207.ELCTDN
European Commission. (2004). “Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005-2009.” Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium. 〈http://ec.europa.eud/〉 (Mar. 30, 2008).
Freedonia. (2004). “Nanotech tools to 2008: Nanotech tool technologies—Microscopy.” 〈http://freedonia.ecnext.com〉 (Mar. 10, 2008).
Garboczi, E. J. (2009). “Concrete nanoscience and nanotechnology: Definitions and applications.” Proc., Nanotechnology in Construction 3, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, 81–88.
Gartner, E. (2004). “Industrially interesting approaches to ‘low-CO2’ cements.” Cem. Concr. Res., 34(9), 1489-–1498.CCNRAI
Gates, B., Xu, Q., Stewart, M., Ryan, D., Willson, C. G., and Whitesides, G. M. (2005) “New approaches to nanofabrication: Molding, printing, and other techniques.” Chem. Rev., 105(4), 1171–1196.CHREAY
Gell, M. (2002). “Nano coatings make a splash by making navy ships tougher.” Materials Engineering Dept., Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 〈http://www.smalltimes.com/〉 (Mar. 18, 2008).
Gillett, S. (2002). “Nanotechnology: Clean Energy and resources for the future.” White Paper for Foresight Institute, 〈www.foresight.org/impact/whitepaper_illos_rev3.pdf〉 (Mar. 14, 2008).
Halicioglu, F. H. (2009). “The potential benefits of nanotechnology for innovative solutions in the construction sector.” Nanotechnology in construction, Vol. 3, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, 209–214.
Helmut Kaiser Consultancy, (2008). “Study on world market of fire alarm equipment and systems.” 〈www.hkc22.com/firealarmsystem.html〉 (Mar. 1, 2008).
ICF International. (2006). “Characterizing the environmental, health and safety implications of nanotechnology.” 〈www.icfi.com/markets/environment/doc_files/nanotechnology.pdf〉 (Dec. 10, 2007).
Jachimovicz, F., and Bentur, A. (2008). “The future of concrete.” AFN15T Workshop on the Promise of Nanotechnology for Concrete at the 87th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Jayapalan, A. R., Lee, B. Y., and Kurtis, K. E. (2009). “Effect of nano-sized titanium dioxide on early age hydration of Portland cement.” Proc. of Nanotechnology in Construction, Vol. 3. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, 267–273.
Jiang, X., Kowald, T. L., Staedler, T., and Trettin, R. H. F. (2005). “Carbon nanotubes as a new reinforcement material for modern cement-based materials.” Proc., 2nd Int. Symp. on Nanotechnology in Construction, RILEM Publications, Bagneux, France.
Kirk, R. A. (2008). “Commercializing products in nanotechnology.” Proc., Nanotechnology Workshop at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Microelectronics Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
Linkov, I. et al. (2007). “Multi-criteria decision analysis approach for prioritization of performance metrics: U.S. Government Performance and Results Act and oil spill response.” Managing critical infrastructure risks, Springer, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 261–298.
Livingston, R. (2007). “Nanoscience of highway construction materials.” Workshop on Nanotechnology for Cement and Concrete, Office of Infrastructure R&D, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC 〈www.ctre.iastate.edu〉 (Apr. 10, 2008).
Mann, S. (2006). “Nanotechnology in construction.” European Nanotechnology Gateway, 〈www.innovationsgesellschaft.ch〉 (Jan. 7, 2008).
Monteiro-Riviere, N. A., Inman, A. O., Wang, Y. Y., and Nemanich, R. J. (2005). “Surfactant effects on carbon nanotube interactions with human epidermal keratinocytes. Nanomedicine.” NanomedicineNANOBF 1(4), 293–299.
Nanowerk. (2007). “Green nanotechnology concrete could cut carbon dioxide emissions.” 〈http://www.nanowerk.com〉 (Nov. 13, 2007).
National Research Council. (2004). “Investments in federal facilities.” Report of the National Academies, National Academies Press, Washington, DC.
NIST. (2008). “The topografiner. Activities, accomplishments, and recognitions of the building and fire research laboratory in 2006.” NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 〈http://physics.nist.govl〉 (Feb. 3, 2008).
Oberdörster, G., Ferin, J., Gelein, R., Soderholm, S. C., and Finkelstein, J. (1992). “Role of the alveolar macrophage in lung injury: Studies with ultrafine particles.” Environ. Health Perspect.EVHPAZ 97, 193–199.
Partl et al. (2006). “From nanocem to nanobit? Perspective on nanotechnology in construction materials with a focus on asphaltic materials.” Proc., NSF Workshop on Nanomodifications of Cementitious Materials, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Pauli et al. (2006). “Emerging issues in asphalt binder research and application of nanotechnology.” Proc., NSF Workshop on Nanomodifications of Cementitious Materials, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Proverbs, D. G., and Holt, G. D. (2000). “Reducing construction costs: European best practice supply chain implications.” Eur. J. Purch. Supply Manage.EJPMFL, 6(3–4), 149–158.
Roco, M. C., and Bainbridge, W. (2001). “Societal implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology.” Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Workshop Rep., National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.
Rogers et al. (1999). “Unconventional methods for fabricating and patterning nanostructures.” Chem. Rev., 99(7), 1823–1848.CHREAY
Salamanca-Buentello, et al. (2005). “Nanotechnology and the developing world.” Plos Medicine.orgPMLEAC, 2(5), e97, 〈http://www.utoronto.ca〉 (Mar. 6, 2008).
Shvedova, A. A. et al. (2003). “Exposure to carbon nanotube material: Assessment of nanotube cytotoxity using human keraticocyte cells.” J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Part AJTEHF8, 66(20), 1909–1926.
Teizer, J., Teizer, W., Venugopal, M., and Sandha, B. (2008). “Nanotechnology and its impact on construction.” Research Rep. 251 to the Construction Industry Institute (CII), College of Engineering, Univ. of Texas, Austin TX.
The Royal Society. (2004). “Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: Opportunities and uncertainties.” London, 〈http://www.nanotec.org.uk/report/〉. (Mar. 2008).
Wiesner, M. R. et al. (2009). “Decreasing uncertainties in assessing environmental exposure, risk, and ecological implications of nanomaterials.” Environ. Sci. Technol.ESTHAG, 43(17), 6458–6462.
World Technologies and Services (WTEC). (1998). “R&D status and trends in nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, and nanodevices.” WTEC, Rep. on Nanostructure Science and Technology, International Technology Research Institute, Loyola College, Baltimore.
Yakovlev, G., Keriené, J., Gailius, A., and Girniene, I. (2006). “Cement based foam concrete reinforced by carbon nanotubes.” Mater. Sci.JMTSAS, 12(2), 147–151.
Zhang, C. (2005). “Applications and market of carbon nanotubes (CNTs).” Proc., Int. Nanotech Exhibition, Shenzhen Nanotech Port Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China 〈http://www.seasunnano.com〉 (May 2008).
Zhu, W.,Bartos, P. J. M., and Porro, A. (2004). “Application of nanotechnology in construction: Summary of a state of the art report.” Mater. Struct.MASTED, 37(9), 649–658.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138 • Issue 5 • May 2012
Pages: 594 - 604
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 6, 2009
Accepted: Aug 10, 2011
Published online: Aug 12, 2011
Published in print: May 1, 2012
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.