Nanotechnology in Eco-Efficient Construction: Materials, Processes and Applications

by Fernando Pacheco-Torgal (Editor), Maria Vittoria Diamanti (Editor), Ali Nazari (Editor), Claes Goran-Granqvist (Editor)

Overview

As the environmental impact of existing construction and building materials comes under increasing scrutiny, the search for more eco-efficient solutions has intensified. Nanotechnology offers great potential in this area and is already being widely used to great success. Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction is an authoritative guide to the role of nanotechnology in the development of eco-efficient construction materials and sustainable construction.Following an introduction to the use of nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction materials, part one considers such infrastructural applications as nanoengineered cement-based materials, nanoparticles for high-performance and self-sensing concrete, and the use of nanotechnology to improve the bulk and surface properties of steel for structural applications. Nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures and safety issues relating to nanomaterials for construction applications are also reviewed before part two goes on to discuss applications for building energy efficiency. Topics explored include thin films and nanostructured coatings, switchable glazing technology and third generation photovoltaic (PV) cells, high-performance thermal insulation materials, and silica nanogel for energy-efficient windows. Finally, photocatalytic applications are the focus of part three, which investigates nanoparticles for pollution control, self-cleaning and photosterilisation, and the role of nanotechnology in manufacturing paints and purifying water for eco-efficient buildings.Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction is a technical guide for all those involved in the design, production and application of eco-efficient construction materials, including civil engineers, materials scientists, researchers and architects within any field of nanotechnology, eco-efficient materials or the construction industry. - Provides an authoritative guide to the role of nanotechnology in the development of eco-efficient construction materials and sustainable construction - Examines the use of nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction materials - Considers a range of important infrastructural applications, before discussing applications for building energy efficiency

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857098832
Publisher:	Woodhead Publishing, Limited
Publication date:	04/04/2013
Series:	Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	458
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. F. Pacheco-Torgal is a principal investigator at the University of Minho, in Portugal. He currently holds the title of Counsellor from the Portuguese Engineers Association and has authored more than 300 publications. He is a member of the editorial boards for 9 international journals. He has acted as a foreign expert in the evaluation of 30 PhD theses. In the last 10 years he has been a Member of the Scientific Committee for almost 60 conferences most of them in Asian countries. He is also a grant assessor for several scientific institutions in 15 countries including the UK, US, Netherlands, China, France, Australia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, Chile, Saudi Arabia, UA. Emirates, Croatia, Poland, and the EU Commission. He has also been an invited reviewer for 125 international journals and has reviewed almost 1200 papers and has been the lead editor of 27 books.
Maria Vittoria Diamanti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering at the Polytechnic of Milan, Italy. Her current research interests are: titanium oxides, nanostructured surfaces, photocatalysis, self-cleaning surfaces, spectrophotometry and reflectometry, corrosion, and durability of reinforced concrete.
Ali Nazari is a Postdoctoral research Fellow at Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, 3122, Australia
Claes Goran-Granqvist is Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at Uppsala University, Sweden. Professor Granqvist's research is focused on optical and electrical properties of materials, especially thin films for energy efficiency and solar energy utilization. He has published around 730 research papers in mostly refereed journals, over 30 books, had invited conference presentations at about 250 international conferences and chaired about 30 international meetings.

Table of Contents

Contributor contact details Chapter 1: Introduction to nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction Abstract: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The need for nanotechnology in the construction sector 1.3 Outline of the book Part I: Infrastructural applications Chapter 2: Nanoscience and nanoengineering of cement-based materials Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Nanoscience of cement-based materials 2.3 Nanoengineering of cement-based materials 2.4 Conclusion Chapter 3: Nanoparticles for high performance concrete (HPC) Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Concrete with nanoparticles 3.3 The problem of efficient nanoparticle dispersion 3.4 Conclusions Chapter 4: Self-sensing concrete with nanomaterials Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Studying conductive admixtures in concrete 4.3 Influence of conductive admixtures on the mechanical properties of concrete 4.4 Influence of conductive admixtures on the electrical properties of concrete beams 4.5 Strain and damage in concrete beams (self-diagnosing of damage) 4.6 Diphasic electrical conductive materials 4.7 Conclusions Chapter 5: The use of nanotechnology to improve the bulk and surface properties of steel for structural applications Abstract: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Research relating to nanocomposite steel 5.3 Properties of nanocomposite steel 5.4 Future trends Chapter 6: Nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures for eco-efficient construction Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Research on nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures 6.3 Material and methods 6.4 Rheological tests and results 6.5 Mechanical testing of asphalt mixtures 6.6 Conclusion 6.7 Future trends Chapter 7: Safety issues relating to nanomaterials for construction applications Abstract: 7.1 Introduction to nanotoxicity 7.2 Potential nano-hazards of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) utilized in construction 7.3 Lifecycle of nano-enabled structures 7.4 Toxicity profiling for nanomaterials 7.5 Future trends and conclusions Part II: Applications for building energy efficiency Chapter 8: Thin films and nanostructured coatings for eco-efficient buildings Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Major thin film technologies and some illustrative examples 8.3 Large-scale manufacturing 8.4 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 9: High performance thermal insulation materials for buildings Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Heat transfer in thermal insulators 9.3 State-of-the-art insulators 9.4 Applications 9.5 Future trends Chapter 10: Silica nanogel for energy-efficient windows Abstract: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Aerogels for windows 10.3 Current applications of aerogels in buildings 10.4 Performance of nanogel windows 10.5 Future trends Chapter 11: Switchable glazing technology for eco-efficient construction Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Electrochromics: materials and devices 11.3 Thermochromics: materials and devices 11.4 Future trends in electrochromic and thermochromic glazing Chapter 12: Third generation photovoltaic (PV) cells for eco-efficient buildings and other applications Abstract: 12.1 Introduction 12.2 History of photovoltaic (PV) cells 12.3 Functions of a photovoltaic (PV) cell 12.4 Overview of photovoltaic (PV) technology: first, second and third generation cells 12.5 The use of nanotechnology in photovoltaic (PV) technology 12.6 Future trends Part III: Photocatalytic applications Chapter 13: Concrete, mortar and plaster using titanium dioxide nanoparticles: applications in pollution control, self-cleaning and photo sterilization Abstract: 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Principles of heterogeneous photocatalysis 13.3 Applications of semiconductor photocatalysis 13.4 TiO2 in cement-based materials 13.5 Efficiency of TiO2 in the built environment 13.6 Pilot projects and field tests 13.7 Existing patents and standards relating to photocatalytic cementitious materials Chapter 14: Self-cleaning tiles and glasses for eco-efficient buildings Abstract: 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Important production parameters 14.3 Mechanism of self-cleaning glasses and tiles 14.

Editorial Reviews

"The book’s focus on eco-construction, its depth of coverage, and style of writing by various contributing authors makes it understandable by readers at various levels. Researchers, educators, captains of industry, and policy makers would find the book interesting and useful." —MaterialsViews.com, April 8, 2014

From the Publisher