Nanotechnology Nanotechnology in in

Infrastructure Infrastructure ProjectsProjectsA presentation A presentation

by by

SRINIVAS ANGADI SRINIVAS ANGADI M M Tech(ISE)Tech(ISE)

JNTU College of Engineering, HydJNTU College of Engineering, Hyd

IntroductionIntroduction• In construction, the concept of getting In construction, the concept of getting

raw materials, bringing them together in raw materials, bringing them together in an organized way and then putting them an organized way and then putting them together into a recognizable form.together into a recognizable form.

• It works and slowly decays as it is used It works and slowly decays as it is used and abused by the environment and the and abused by the environment and the owners of the project.owners of the project.

• Construction then is definitely not a new Construction then is definitely not a new science or technology and yet it has science or technology and yet it has undergone great changes over its historyundergone great changes over its history..

What is NanotechnologyWhat is Nanotechnology• The concepts that seeded The concepts that seeded

nanotechnology were first discussed nanotechnology were first discussed in 1959 by renowned in 1959 by renowned physicist Richard Feynman in his physicist Richard Feynman in his talk talk There's Plenty of Room at the There's Plenty of Room at the BottomBottom, in which he described the , in which he described the possibility of synthesis via direct possibility of synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms. The term manipulation of atoms. The term "nano-technology" was first used "nano-technology" was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974, though by Norio Taniguchi in 1974, though it was not widely known.it was not widely known.

• Nano, which comes Nano, which comes from the Greek word from the Greek word for dwarf, indicates a for dwarf, indicates a billionth. One billionth. One nanometre is a nanometre is a billionth of a metre. billionth of a metre. Definitions of Definitions of ‘nanotechnology’ ‘nanotechnology’ vary, but it generally vary, but it generally refers to refers to understanding and understanding and manipulation of manipulation of matter on the matter on the nanoscale, say, from nanoscale, say, from 0.1 run to 100 nm.0.1 run to 100 nm.

  NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION 

• The construction industry was the only The construction industry was the only industry to identify nanotechnology as a industry to identify nanotechnology as a promising emerging technology in the UK promising emerging technology in the UK Delphi survey in the early 1990s.Delphi survey in the early 1990s.

• Ready mix concrete and concrete products Ready mix concrete and concrete products were identified as among the top 40 were identified as among the top 40 industrial sectors likely to be influenced by industrial sectors likely to be influenced by nanotechnology in 10-15 years.nanotechnology in 10-15 years.

• It has a gaint scope of R&DIt has a gaint scope of R&D

  APPLICATIONS OF APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL

ENGINEERINGENGINEERING

• It has wide range of applications It has wide range of applications since nanotechnology generated since nanotechnology generated products have many unique products have many unique characteristics.characteristics.

• These characteristics can, again, These characteristics can, again, significantly fix current construction significantly fix current construction problems, and may change the problems, and may change the requirement and organization of requirement and organization of construction processconstruction process

Some ApplicationsSome Applications• CONCRETE CONCRETE • Addition of Nano-silica leads to the Addition of Nano-silica leads to the

densifying of the micro and densifying of the micro and nanostructure resulting in improved nanostructure resulting in improved mechanical properties like..mechanical properties like..

1.1.The density and strength of the fly-ash The density and strength of the fly-ash concrete improves particularly in the concrete improves particularly in the early stages.early stages.

• CONCRETE CONCRETE 2.  The dispersion/slurry of amorphous 2.  The dispersion/slurry of amorphous

nano-SiOnano-SiO22 is used to improve segregation  is used to improve segregation resistance for self-compacting concreteresistance for self-compacting concrete

3. The addition of small amount of carbon 3. The addition of small amount of carbon nanotube (1%) by weight could increase nanotube (1%) by weight could increase both compressive and flexural strength.both compressive and flexural strength.

4. The use of a fibre sheet (matrix) 4. The use of a fibre sheet (matrix) containing nano-silica particles and containing nano-silica particles and hardeners. These nanoparticles hardeners. These nanoparticles penetrate and close small cracks on the penetrate and close small cracks on the concrete surfaceconcrete surface

• STRUCTURAL COMPOSITESSTRUCTURAL COMPOSITES  • Steel is a major construction materialSteel is a major construction material1.U.S. Engg.Dept. developed new, low 1.U.S. Engg.Dept. developed new, low

carbon, high-performance steel (HPS) for carbon, high-performance steel (HPS) for bridges in 1992 with higher corrosion-bridges in 1992 with higher corrosion-resistance and weld ability by resistance and weld ability by incorporating copper nano particles.incorporating copper nano particles.

2. MMFX is nanostructure-modified steel has 2. MMFX is nanostructure-modified steel has superior mechanical properties, e.g. higher superior mechanical properties, e.g. higher strength, ductility and fatigue strength, ductility and fatigue resistance, longer service life in corrosive resistance, longer service life in corrosive environments and lower construction environments and lower construction costs. It has laminated lath structure costs. It has laminated lath structure resembling “plywood” develped by USresembling “plywood” develped by US

Nono Sheet – Laminated Nono Sheet – Laminated Lath StructureLath Structure

• STRUCTURAL COMPOSITESSTRUCTURAL COMPOSITES  3. Carbon nanotubes are over 100 3. Carbon nanotubes are over 100

times stronger than steel and only times stronger than steel and only one-sixth of the weight in addition to one-sixth of the weight in addition to its high thermal, electrical its high thermal, electrical conductivities and six times stronger conductivities and six times stronger than conventional carbon fibre than conventional carbon fibre compositescomposites

• COATINGS COATINGS 1.1.The coatings incorporating certain Nano The coatings incorporating certain Nano

particles or Nano layers have been particles or Nano layers have been developed for certain purpose including: developed for certain purpose including: i. Protective or anti-corrosion coatingsi. Protective or anti-corrosion coatingsii. Self-cleaning, ii. Self-cleaning, iii. Thermal controliii. Thermal controliv. Energy saving, iv. Energy saving, v. Anti-reflection coatings for v. Anti-reflection coatings for glass/windows; vi. Easy-to-clean, glass/windows; vi. Easy-to-clean, vii. Antibacterial coatings for work vii. Antibacterial coatings for work surfaces; and viii. More durable paints. surfaces; and viii. More durable paints. 

Self cleaningSelf cleaning

• GLASSGLASS1.1.Fire-protective glass is another Fire-protective glass is another

application of nanotechnology. This is application of nanotechnology. This is achieved by using a clear intumescent achieved by using a clear intumescent layer sandwiched between glass panels layer sandwiched between glass panels (an interlayer) formed of fumed silica (an interlayer) formed of fumed silica (SiO(SiO22) nanoparticles which turns into a ) nanoparticles which turns into a rigid and opaque fire shield when heated.rigid and opaque fire shield when heated.

2.2.Nano-TiONano-TiO22coatings can also be applied to coatings can also be applied to building exteriors to prevent sticking of building exteriors to prevent sticking of pollutants, and thus reduce a facility’spollutants, and thus reduce a facility’smaintenance costs.maintenance costs.

Fire protective Fire protective NanoglassNanoglass

• NANOSENSORSNANOSENSORS1.1.Nanotechnology enabled sensors/devices Nanotechnology enabled sensors/devices

also offer great potential for developing also offer great potential for developing smart materials and structures which smart materials and structures which have ‘self-sensing’ and ‘self-actuating’ have ‘self-sensing’ and ‘self-actuating’ capability. The device used for air bags in capability. The device used for air bags in cars is such an example.cars is such an example.

2.2.Nano and Micro electrical mechanical Nano and Micro electrical mechanical systems (NEMS & MEMS) sensors havesystems (NEMS & MEMS) sensors havebeen developed and used in construction been developed and used in construction to monitor and/or control the environment to monitor and/or control the environment conditions (e.g. temperature, moisture, conditions (e.g. temperature, moisture, smoke, noise, etc.)smoke, noise, etc.)

• NANOSENSORSNANOSENSORSand the materials/structure and the materials/structure performance (e.g. stress, strain, performance (e.g. stress, strain, vibration, cracking, corrosion, etc.) vibration, cracking, corrosion, etc.) during the structure’s life.during the structure’s life.

• BULK INSULATING MATERIALSBULK INSULATING MATERIALS1.1.NanoPore has developed bulk NanoPore has developed bulk

nanoporous silica compounds with nanoporous silica compounds with embedded organic molecules which embedded organic molecules which perform up to 10 times better than perform up to 10 times better than conventional insulating materialsconventional insulating materials

• PLASTICS PLASTICS 1.1.The carbon fibre reinforced plastics The carbon fibre reinforced plastics

(CFRP) being light weight material (CFRP) being light weight material does not exhibit good electrical does not exhibit good electrical properties.properties.CNTs are among the stiffest and CNTs are among the stiffest and strongest fibers known, and have strongest fibers known, and have high electrical conductivity.high electrical conductivity.

• PLASTIC SOLAR CELL PLASTIC SOLAR CELL 1.1.The most promising application in The most promising application in

the areas of energy and environment the areas of energy and environment leading to the sustainable building is leading to the sustainable building is the development of fuel cells and the development of fuel cells and photovoltaic.photovoltaic.

2.2.  In the last few years, considerable In the last few years, considerable efforts have been made to develop efforts have been made to develop plastic solar cells much simpler and plastic solar cells much simpler and cheaper to produce than that of cheaper to produce than that of conventional silicon semiconductor conventional silicon semiconductor solar cells. solar cells.

• PLASTIC SOLAR CELL PLASTIC SOLAR CELL Replacing conventional lamps with Replacing conventional lamps with LEDs in the United States alone LEDs in the United States alone could generate energy savings of up could generate energy savings of up to $100 billion by 2025 and reduce to $100 billion by 2025 and reduce carbon emissions by 200 million tons carbon emissions by 200 million tons per yearper year

IMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ONIMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ONCONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTIONMeritsMerits1.1. Low Cost.Low Cost.2.2. Easy Rapair & MaintenanceEasy Rapair & Maintenance3.3. Global Market IncreasesGlobal Market Increases4.4. In paint and coatings industry by using In paint and coatings industry by using

Nano-alumina and titania have a four- Nano-alumina and titania have a four- to six-fold increase in wear resistance, to six-fold increase in wear resistance, with doubled toughness and bond with doubled toughness and bond strength.strength.

IMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ONIMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ONCONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTIONMeritsMerits5. Nano sensors embedded in 5. Nano sensors embedded in

infrastructural materials can provide, at infrastructural materials can provide, at minimum cost, fully integrated and self-minimum cost, fully integrated and self-powered failure prediction and powered failure prediction and forecasting mechanisms for high-capital forecasting mechanisms for high-capital structuresstructures

DemeritsDemerits1. 1. Affect the respiratory and digestive Affect the respiratory and digestive

tracks and the skin or eye surface thus tracks and the skin or eye surface thus exposes workers to hazards.exposes workers to hazards.

IMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IMPACTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ONON

CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTIONDemeritsDemerits2. Should have interdisciplinary 2. Should have interdisciplinary

background to work in R&Dbackground to work in R&D33. . Require cooperation between various Require cooperation between various

levels of government, R&D agencies, levels of government, R&D agencies, manufacturers, and other industries.manufacturers, and other industries.

44. . The time for commercializing a The time for commercializing a product is longproduct is long

ConclusionConclusionResearch in nanotechnology that is related Research in nanotechnology that is related

to to construction is still going construction is still going If we the understand the Scope and future If we the understand the Scope and future development in the area of Nanotechnology development in the area of Nanotechnology

the the potential benefits of this technology can be potential benefits of this technology can be harnessed to provide longer life and more harnessed to provide longer life and more economical infrastructureeconomical infrastructure

Thank youThank you

REFERENCES REFERENCES 1.1. ““Nanotechnology and Construction,” Nanotechnology and Construction,”

Nanoforum Report. www.nanoforum.org,Nanoforum Report. www.nanoforum.org,2.2. ““Nanotechnology and Concrete: Nanotechnology and Concrete:

Background, Opportunities and Background, Opportunities and Challenges.” Proceedings of the Challenges.” Proceedings of the International Conference – Application of International Conference – Application of Technology in Concrete Design, Scotland, Technology in Concrete Design, Scotland, UK,UK,

3.3. Nanotechnology in Construction  Nanotechnology in Construction  www.aggregateresearch.comwww.aggregateresearch.com