Nanotechnology in Eco-Efficient Construction

Fernando Pacheco Torgal is a Principal Investigator at C-TAC, University of Minho. He holds the title of Counsellor (Top 0.5%) from the Portuguese Engineers Association and has been consistently recognized as a Scopus Highly Cited Scientist in the global rankings by Stanford University. With over 300 publications to his name, he has carried out in-depth peer reviews of more than one thousand scientific papers and assessed nearly one hundred research grant proposals across 15 countries. He serves on the editorial boards of nine international journals and has been involved in editorial decisions for several hundred manuscripts. In addition, he has edited 33 international books, many of which are available in the libraries of prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. 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.

"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

• Contributor contact detailsChapter 1: Introduction to nanotechnology in eco-efficient constructionAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 The need for nanotechnology in the construction sector1.3 Outline of the bookPart I: Infrastructural applicationsChapter 2: Nanoscience and nanoengineering of cement-based materialsAbstract:2.1 Introduction2.2 Nanoscience of cement-based materials2.3 Nanoengineering of cement-based materials2.4 ConclusionChapter 3: Nanoparticles for high performance concrete (HPC)Abstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Concrete with nanoparticles3.3 The problem of efficient nanoparticle dispersion3.4 ConclusionsChapter 4: Self-sensing concrete with nanomaterialsAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 Studying conductive admixtures in concrete4.3 Influence of conductive admixtures on the mechanical properties of concrete4.4 Influence of conductive admixtures on the electrical properties of concrete beams4.5 Strain and damage in concrete beams (self-diagnosing of damage)4.6 Diphasic electrical conductive materials4.7 ConclusionsChapter 5: The use of nanotechnology to improve the bulk and surface properties of steel for structural applicationsAbstract:5.1 Introduction5.2 Research relating to nanocomposite steel5.3 Properties of nanocomposite steel5.4 Future trendsChapter 6: Nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures for eco-efficient constructionAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Research on nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures6.3 Material and methods6.4 Rheological tests and results6.5 Mechanical testing of asphalt mixtures6.6 Conclusion6.7 Future trendsChapter 7: Safety issues relating to nanomaterials for construction applicationsAbstract:7.1 Introduction to nanotoxicity7.2 Potential nano-hazards of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) utilized in construction7.3 Lifecycle of nano-enabled structures7.4 Toxicity profiling for nanomaterials7.5 Future trends and conclusionsPart II: Applications for building energy efficiencyChapter 8: Thin films and nanostructured coatings for eco-efficient buildingsAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 Major thin film technologies and some illustrative examples8.3 Large-scale manufacturing8.4 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 9: High performance thermal insulation materials for buildingsAbstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Heat transfer in thermal insulators9.3 State-of-the-art insulators9.4 Applications9.5 Future trendsChapter 10: Silica nanogel for energy-efficient windowsAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Aerogels for windows10.3 Current applications of aerogels in buildings10.4 Performance of nanogel windows10.5 Future trendsChapter 11: Switchable glazing technology for eco-efficient constructionAbstract:11.1 Introduction11.2 Electrochromics: materials and devices11.3 Thermochromics: materials and devices11.4 Future trends in electrochromic and thermochromic glazingChapter 12: Third generation photovoltaic (PV) cells for eco-efficient buildings and other applicationsAbstract:12.1 Introduction12.2 History of photovoltaic (PV) cells12.3 Functions of a photovoltaic (PV) cell12.4 Overview of photovoltaic (PV) technology: first, second and third generation cells12.5 The use of nanotechnology in photovoltaic (PV) technology12.6 Future trendsPart III: Photocatalytic applicationsChapter 13: Concrete, mortar and plaster using titanium dioxide nanoparticles: applications in pollution control, self-cleaning and photo sterilizationAbstract:13.1 Introduction13.2 Principles of heterogeneous photocatalysis13.3 Applications of semiconductor photocatalysis13.4 TiO2 in cement-based materials13.5 Efficiency of TiO2 in the built environment13.6 Pilot projects and field tests13.7 Existing patents and standards relating to photocatalytic cementitious materialsChapter 14: Self-cleaning tiles and glasses for eco-efficient buildingsAbstract:14.1 Introduction14.2 Important production parameters14.3 Mechanism of self-cleaning glasses and tiles14.4 Future trendsChapter 15: Nanotechnology in manufacturing paints for eco-efficient buildingsAbstract:15.1 Introduction15.2 Application of photocatalytic paints in an outdoor environment15.3 Application of photocatalytic paints in an indoor environment15.4 Potential formation of by-products15.5 Future trendsChapter 16: Nanotechnology for domestic water purificationAbstract:16.1 Introduction16.2 Nanomaterials and water purification16.3 The need for nanomaterials in water purification16.4 Types, properties and uses of nanomaterials in water purification16.5 Synthesis of nanomaterials16.6 Nanotechnology: health, safety and environment16.7 Domestic water purification: challenges to bring about an integrated system16.7.2 Challenges with development of integrated nano-based systems for water purificationIndex