1. Nanotechnology and Sustainability in the Construction Industryby
Mohd Raihan Taha
Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI), &
Dept of Civil & Structural Engineering
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

2. Contents Introduction Our Natural Resources
Use of Nanomaterials for Sustainability
Nanomaterials for Construction
Moving Forward and Challenges
Conclusions

3. Introduction
The Gärtnerplatzbrücke (inaugurated in 2007) across the Fulda River in Kassel Germany is made of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC)

4. Introduction
Wild-Brücke in Völkermarkt (Carinthia, Austria), a bridge inaugurated in October 2010 and worldwide the first medium-sized road bridge whose main support structure was made of UHCP.

5. Introduction
(UHPC)

6. Introduction & Engineering
Brundtland Commission of the United Nations on March 20, 1987: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Wikipedia

7. Introduction
J. Nanoparticle Res. (2012)

8. Our Natural Resources
Our natural resources
Ozone Layer

9. Use of Nanomaterials for Sustainability
Effective Pollution Breakdown/Removal
Substitutes for Environmentally Unfriendly Materials
Improvements of Materials –
- use of efficiently (small amount) and innovatively.

10. Nanomaterials for Construction
Nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanomeshes for performance enhancement
Nanosilica
particles
Al2O3 nanofibres
high-performance and self-compacting concrete with improved workability and ultra high strength with exceptional energy-absorbing capacity

11. Nanomaterials for Construction
Paints and finishing materials with self-cleaning properties, discoloration resistance, anti-graffiti protection, and high scratch-and-wear resistance

12. Nanomaterials for Construction
Self-cleaning materials based on photocatalyst technology

13. Nanomaterials for Construction
Nanometer-thin coatings that protect carbon steel against corrosion and enhance thermal insulation of window glass

14. Nanomaterials for Construction
Smart stress-sensing composites

15. Nanomaterials for Construction
Self healing concrete

16. Nanomaterials for Construction
Steel – 5 x more corrosion-resistant and
3 x stronger than conventional steel

17. Nanomaterials for Construction
“A solution looking for problem”
€ 2000/g /2000
€ 0.1/g --- Now
Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)

18. Nanomaterials for Construction
Compressive strength of cement (94%)-CNT+nano metakaolin (6%) mortars after 28 days hydration (Morsy et al. 2011)

19. Nanomaterials for Construction
Results of unconfined compressive strength test for regular and nano magnesium treated residual soil (UKM study)

20. Nanomaterials for Construction
Performance of mortars in fire. Sample P is the control specimen without flyash and nano silica. FS3 is sample with flyash and nano silica (UKM study)

21. Nanomaterials for Construction
Crack intensity factor for swelling soils with and without nanomaterials
(UKM study)

22. Example of engineering program educational objectives (PEO)
Moving Forward and Challenges
Training of engineers
Example of engineering program educational objectives (PEO)

23. Processing and toxicity Green chemistry and processing
Moving Forward and Challenges
Processing and toxicity
Green chemistry and processing

24. Funding for sustainability
Moving Forward and Challenges
Funding for sustainability
Education
INNOVATION

25. Conclusions Sustainability and Nanotechnology.
Natural resources are diminishing.
Nanomaterials to aid sustainability of natural resources.
Applications of nanomaterial for construction e.g. SiO2, CNT, etc.
Challenges – education, toxicity, funding  INNOVATION

27. THANK YOU