Nanotechnology The use and impact in the Building and Construction Industry

Nanotechnology is rapidly becoming the Industrial Revolution of the 21st century. It will affect almost every aspect of our lives, from the medicines we use, to the power of our computers, the energy supplies we require, the food we eat, the cars we drive, the buildings we live in and the clothes we wear. More importantly, for every area where we can imagine an impact, there will be others no-one has thought of -- new capabilities, new products and new markets. The construction industry is by far the largest goods-producing industry in the world. In the UK it is the largest industry and in China it accounts for 60 % of the fixed asset investments, employing more than 40 million people. 40% of the worlds energy use is consumed in buildings, more than by industry or transport. * Therefore it is a prime target for the first Nanotechnology products. There is great potential for energy savings and sustainable building designs in this field, often at little cost. Nanotechnology products can be used on buildings and constructions for basically every surface. Paints for interior and exterior walls and facades are the latest and probably the most visible development and will have a significant impact in the construction industry. Concrete, Glass and Wood , Metal are some of the other substrates which can be treated with products ready available.

Copying the ideas of others is usually frowned upon, but when it comes to the work of Mother Nature, scientists found that they can use nature as a template. Nature is skilled at fabricating organic structures at the nano scale. Best and most known example of a self cleaning surface is the so called Lotus effect. Like nature, many of todays Nanomaterial properties relate to the surface of a material rather than the bulk material, enabling a modification in performance with a coating system. Nanoparticle coatings often make use of the small nature of nanoparticles to incorporate an engineering property to a material without altering its appearance. Read on how this new technology can be used on real world applications and with products already available. The speed new products and application are being developed is incredible and we can only give an overview about a range of applications for the most common building substrates.

Nature

Technology

Glass For glass, there are currently two nanoscale systems on the market, hydrophilic photo catalytic systems and hydrophobic surface treatments. Hydrophilic photo catalytic coatings are applied during the manufacturing of the glass. Water spreads and visible light leads to an oxidative destruction of organic dirt. These coatings are formulated with nanoscale titanium dioxide. On hydrophobic nano-coatings the water beads into droplets. Due to the low surface energy and the self assembling surface structure the water rolls off, taking surface dirt with it. The coatings create an ultra thin surface structure and not a smooth slippery appearance like everyone may expect. Both systems have their advantages and some drawbacks and it does depend on the situation and the location for which one will work best. Hydrophilic photo catalytic coatings have problems to break down inorganic contaminations and needs UV light to work. There is also no easy to clean effect. The coatings are very stable and after every cleaning, the coating works again. Hydrophilic effect leads to a reduced soiling the surface is and also appears cleaner. Titanium dioxide acts as a catalyst in the presence of UV light to reduce organic dust and grime to water and carbon dioxide.

Pilkington Active Glass

Hydrophobic coatings work every where and exposure to visible light is not necessary. The coatings can be applied to exciting buildings glass. Due to the beading effect, if the droplets contain dirt, drying up of the dirty water can leave the dirt more visible than a hydrophilic surface. Hydrophobic coatings are very easy to clean and protect the glass against permanent staining from pollution and other contaminations.

Glass sheet treated with Glass treatment.

Paint
Painted surfaces make up a large area of any building and will become one of the largest applications areas for Nano enhanced products. There are already several nanotechnology and nano-hybrid paint systems on the market. Again, photo catalytic systems based on Titanium dioxide are dominating in the number of product manufacturer. Due to its strong photo reactivity, TiO2 coating cannot be coated directly onto an organic paint surface as this will attack the paint surface, causing a phenomenon so called paint-chalking. This has therefore, limited the applications of TiO2 coatings on existing buildings.

The brilliant white concrete of the new Jubilee Church in Rome is expected to stay clean for the ages thanks to a photo catalytic additive.

One coating is on the market in Europe which creates surface structures similar to the well known hydrophobic effect of the Lotus leave. The extremely high contact angle is created by a combination of nanoscale surface structure and repellent components.
Lotus effect on exterior wall coating. (Lotusan)

Anti-microbial nano hybrid-coatings

Usually, the quickest way to combat undesirable growth both internally and externally is to apply anti-fungal paint or a fungicide spray. The drawback to these products is that they are usually based on biocides, which slowly, but surely release into the environment. This means that the active substances not only penetrate to the root of the fungus, but can also enter the human body, for instance by being inhaled. The sick building syndrome for example is related to chemical contaminants from indoor sources. In addition, the biocide is gradually used up, detracting from the effectiveness of the coating, as time goes by. An emission-free, highly anti bacterial and permanent alternative to these biocide-based coatings is now on the market. Unlike other paint systems, where the incorporated anti bacterial function will loose its effect over time, the nano-particles used in Nanotechnology coatings like Bioni Perform are solid bodies, therefore the system's efficiency retains its effect permanently. Bioni offers a combination of heat deflective and anti- microbial properties. The low thermal conductivity and the ability to reflect up to 90 % of the incoming sun rays reduce the heat absorption into walls. A significant reduction in air-condition running costs can be achieved.

The reduction of temperature related expansions of wall panels will also reduce cracks in facade panels and render and will make expansion joints last longer. The low thermal conductivity is done by microscopic spheres and not just by a light colour. New facade designs are possible without compromising the insulating factors of surfaces. A very interesting coating especially for subtropical regions.

Antibacterial coatings
There are different approaches to fight bacterial contaminations on substrates. One of the most effective is without any doubt the use of nano-silver particles. The researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Applied Materials Research IFAM in Bremen and at Bioni CS have spent more than ten years, developing processes for manufacturing the antibacterial nano-silver particles and incorporating it into paint solutions. The result is so powerful that it can even destroy antibiotic resistant super bugs like the Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA, a common source for so called hospital infections The patented process also binds the particles permanently to the paint. That's essential from a toxicological point of view, and eliminates any affect to human health from manufacturing to the application. The coating is certified as emission free and does not release any substances whatsoever into the indoor air. Due to the high demand for a permanent anti-bacterial solution, Bioni has already been used in a number of significant projects. The latest one is a 40,000 square metre contract for the Discovery Gardens project in Dubai. The coating is already been used in more than 20 hospital projects in Europe and the Golf region. At the moment the products represent the latest scientific discoveries, in the field of nanotechnology and coating technology.

Wood
Nanotechnology wood treatments are still in the early stages of development. Unlike concrete and glass, the variables in the substrates are much more complex. However, these early products already produce a better result on untreated softwood and treated timber than conventional products. The water based nature of the products is a functional and environmentally friendly solution against rot and moss and algae build-up. Water absorption is significantly reduced. Furthermore hybrid products with nano-scale UV protection and improved wear resistance have been developed. A Canadian company called Mirage Hardwood Floors and Teak-Guard are one of the first commercial companies using cross linked nanocoatings and Nanoscale UV protection protection.

Nano treated end cut

Mirage Hardwood

Teak Guard Marine

Metal
Metal surfaces can also be protected with nanotechnology or nano-hybrid products. At the current stage ultra thin treatments are more a type of care products which ease the maintenance cleaning. They are not created as a form of permanent corrosion protection. The treated surface is guarded against permanent staining and contamination from dirt, street dirt, dust and atmospheric pollution. The cleaning time for a stainless steel handrail for example can be reduced by 80-90 %. It also protects certain stainless steel from Pitting corrosion - related to chlorides and against metal oxide staining indicated by either a rough surface or a red, brown, or black stain. The average lifetime of such treatments is between 1 and 3 years. Permanent coatings with corrosion protective properties are available but can't be offered as an aftermarket product at the current stage. Certain application and curing processes require special devices and machinery which only can be offered at a manufacturing level. It is certain that the products under development, will replace the powder coating processes widely used for corrosion protection.

Conclusion
The construction industry could have the technology pretty much cost neutral if it is willing to replace some of the traditional paints or solvent and silicone based products and coatings used for surface protections. Some of the products can be incorporated into production processes and therefore could be applied to building products during manufacturing. Nanotechnology could potentially improve many construction materials, including structural steel, polymers and concretes. Concrete, which contains the complicated, nanoscale structures of cement and its hydrates, is an excellent candidate for nanotechnology manipulation and control. With composite materials, only products should be used which can deliver the highest possible quality for the base product. There is no point to add nanotechnology properties in paint for example which cant deliver a high standard for wet wash resistance or all environmental standards. Coatings must meet VOC standards and emission regulations for indoor air quality. The same quality principles have to be in place for the applicators. Certain nanotechnology treatments require a high standard of surface preparation. Molecular bonding is only possible if the whole process is done by the manufactures requirements. If these principles are in place, and the work is done by professional the products can deliver outstanding properties and benefits. Using the best possible products comes at a price. While the direct value for the construction company is lower, the building owner will see significant value. It will be up to the developer to accept slightly higher construction costs but enjoy much lower running costs over the years. Any extra set up costs one pays, can be recovered through faster lease-up rates, rental premiums and increased market valuation and higher re-sale value. The use of the newest technology creates positive high end company image and corporate identity which is priceless. Like with most things, you get what you pay for.

*
(Statistics from the National Development and Reform Commission's energy research project centre demonstrate that per unit energy consumption of Chinese buildings is much higher than those in foreign countries. For example, the energy consumption of an external wall is four to five times that in foreign countries, while a roof is two and a half times the consumption and airconditioners and heating devices are two to three times. (Source: China Daily November 8, 2006)