23/11/2006

NANOCOM – Scottish centre for nanotechnology in construction materials

Paisley, Scottland – www.nanocom.org

Background:
• The Advanced Concrete and Masonry Centre of the University of Paisley has
been working in the nanotechnology field since 1994.
• The NANOCOM was established in 2000 under the ACM Centre by a research
development grant from the Scottish High Education Founding Council (SHEFC)

Vision:
• The NANOCOM aims to act as a centre of excellence in Scotland for application
and exploitation of recent advances in nanotechnology to enhance fundamental
knowledge and practical performance of both basic and new construction
materials.
• Nanotechnology has been treated by NANOCOM as a promising and essential
approach to characterise, develop new materials and exploit new properties.

Thematic focus:
??? Research activities suggest cement and concrete

Current and proposed research:

• interfaces and bond, etc., of advanced composites-brittle matrices reinforced with
bundled fibres
• fracture mechanisms and basic structure of cement, concrete, and reinforced
concrete
• high performance cement-based composites using nano-particles/fibres
• behaviour of other materials, such as slate and historic mortars, lime and stone, as
well as sealants, coatings and paints.

Research collaboration:
• Microelectronics Imaging and Analysis Centre (MIAC) of the University of
Edinburgh
• Department of Petroleum Engineering, and the Department of Building
Engineering and Surveying of Heriot-Watt University
• Thin Film Centre at the University of Paisley
• Institute of Materials Physics at the University of Vienna
• Department of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University

Industry collaboration:
• Cement and concrete industry, manufacturers of admixtures for concrete and
manufacturers of fine fillers (nano-particles)

Organization:
???
 NANOC – Centre for Nanomaterials Applications in Construction
Bilbao, Spain – www.nanoc.info/index.html

Background:
• NANOC is a recently created unit within LABEIN – a private Technology Centre
focusing on business, with a mission to become a natural ally of business to
develop its innovative capacity using technology as a tool of competitiveness.
• LABEIN´s expertise in construction materials is long-standing since its creation
in 1955, and nowadays it ranges from nanomaterials to environmental
management of territory.

Vision:
• NANOC is a platform for the development of the key technological capacities that
will enable the Construction Industry to use Nanotechnology as a competitive
tool. The sub-targets are:
○ Improve efficiency and sustainability of products
○ Reduce life cycle costs
○ Produce new materials
○ Help the construction sector to become a high-tech sector with
competitiveness, respect to the environment, safety and social acceptance
• NANOC also envisages:
○ Change towards a knowledge based activity on construction materials and
components supply
○ Nanotechnology and its application to materials and subsequently to
construction components will be one of the ways of differentiation of the
future European construction industry
○ Shift from intensive resource-based to knowledge-based activity on
materials
○ Energy saving on buildings use

Research activities:
• Development of ultra high performance materials for the Construction Sector
• Understanding of materials nano/microstructure. Nano-macro connection
• Multi-scale modelling of materials
• Multi-materials, multifunctional materials, active adaptive materials, polymeric
nano-composites, cementitious nano-composites

Challenges:
• Develop basic knowledge
• Develop knowledge into macro-scale application (nanotechnology as a tool)
• Develop de necessary processes
• Integrate to industrial process
• Promote specific start-up actions

Organization:
TECNALIA Technological Corporation – LABEIN Technological Centre - NANOC
 NANOCEM Consortium – a European Research Network
www.nanocem.org

Mission:
• Manage and integrate research and education organization to generate basic
knowledge on the nano and micro-scale phenomena. The role of Nanocem is
therefore to conduct fundamental research, which forms the basis for innovation.
• The members of Nanocem collectively have access to a large range of state of the
art equipment for the study of cementitious materials.

Thematic focus:
• Cementitious materials

Nanotechnology contribution in construction:

• Sustainability:
○ Improve the ecological and economical performance of cement and
concrete
○ Reduce the environmental impact of cement and concrete (raw materials,
energy, waste, emissions etc.)
○ Reduce lifecycle costs (improved and predictable structural and aesthetic
durability, improved and rapid maintenance and repair methods)
○ Reduce energy consumption of buildings and infrastructure in use

• Usability:
○ Improve applicability of concrete and other cementitious systems
○ Optimize efficiency in construction (automation, maintenance)
○ Easy-to-apply and repair cementitious products

• Multi-functionality:
○ Develop new, multi-functional, knowledge-based cementitious products
serving customers’ needs
○ Improve indoor climate and air quality
○ Long-lasting, tailor-made aesthetical appearance
○ Sensor technologies to monitor and maintain cementitious structures

Organization:
 NanoHouse – Australia
www.nano.uts.edu.au/about/australia.html

Vision:
• Foster a network of partners in order to collaboratively contribute to the features
of the house via the placement of existing nanotechnology alongside the
development of new technologies.
• Through this networking the new technologies can be most effectively diffused
across the various industries that stand to benefit from these technological
advances.
• Stimulate the communication among the R&D community and the construction
industry.
• Demonstrate advanced materials technology.
• Provide an educational opportunity for the Australian community in the issue of
sustainable living.

Thematic focus:
• Sustainable and environmentally friendly housing in concert with the most
recently developed materials.
• Energy efficient domestic house

Nanotechnology contributions in construction:

• Filtering and reflecting windows
• Self cleaning glass
• Coating for furniture
• Cold lighting systems and LED light sources
• Paints that do not retain heat

Collaboration and opportunities:

• The multiplicity of partners (industry and research centres) contribute to the
making of a demonstration house to be exhibited for the public and in potential
market place. The possible opportunities include:
○ Exposure to new markets for existing products
○ Creation of new products
○ Investment opportunity in early stage businesses
○ New business
○ Access to unique network of advanced materials and component suppliers

Organization:
• Partners – House design – Exhibition – Exposure to the Market

Funding:
• The consortium is listed in the Solar Cities bid for funding from the Australian
Government’s Greenhouse Office: 15 million AUD over a 7 year period.
 RENAC – Valencian network for application of nanotechnology
in construction and habitat products, Spain
www.nano-renac.com

Background:
• Founded in 2005 in Valencia Community, Spain

Vision:
• RENAC aims to create a sustainable (long-term) scientific and technological
structure capable of integrating the research effort in the field of nanotechnology
and nanomaterials to construction and habitat products.
• Integrate research efforts to make real progress towards full exploitation of the
commercial, competitive and even societal benefits of nanotechnology.
• Need to shift the traditional construction industry towards high added-value
activities.

Organization:
• 8 Technological institutes dealing with research in different traditional materials
involved in construction and habitat sectors: wood, plastic, concrete, ceramic,
stone, metal.
• 12 research groups from 3 Valencia universities with a recognised excellence in
different nanoscience fields as interface science, nanoparticles synthesis,
nanocomposites, mesoporous materials, chemical sensors, and polymer science.
• Research into nanotechnology in construction has been divided into four
complementary research ‘platforms’:
○ Nanoparticles Platform &
○ Nanocomposites Platform: alteration of internal structures at nano-scale,
addition of nano-structures and modification of surfaces/interfaces
together with their macro-applications;
○ Sensors and Smart systems Platform: development of sensors,
components, systems, devices, etc. for use in the construction sector;
○ Basic Nanotechnology Platform: fundamental developments in
nanotechnology (tools) and nano-science (understanding).
• In a new stage the structure intent to incorporate a industrial group with
companies interested in getting improvement of their global competitive position
by properly making use of nanotechnology.