Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale of 1-100 nanometers. At this scale, properties of materials can differ significantly from their macroscale counterparts due to greater surface area to volume ratio and quantum mechanical effects. In construction, nanotechnology is being used to improve the strength, durability and self-cleaning properties of materials like concrete, steel, glass and paint. Some nanomaterials showing promise include carbon nanotubes, which are stronger than steel, and titanium dioxide, which can be added to building materials for sterilization, deodorization and self-cleaning effects when exposed to UV light.

1. ALI BALUWALA

2. Nanotechnology is not a new science and not a new technology.
It is rather an extension of the sciences and technologies already developed for
many years,to examine the nature of our world at a smaller scale
“Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that allows us to
develop materials with improved or totally new properties”.
Nanotechnology deals with particle at nano-scale, i.e., 10-9m.
At “nano scale” the world is different from “macroscale” e.g., the gravity
becomes unimportant, electrostatic forces take over and quantum effects
emerge. As particles become nano-sized, the proportion of atoms on the
surface increases relative to those inside and leads to “nano-effects”.
Thus the properties of the material that we are familiar with at our macro
scale are different from the properties of material at nano scale and this is
where nanotechnology comes in.

3. • The construction business will inevitably be a beneficiary of this
nanotechnology .
• In fact it already is in the field of concrete, steel, glass and many more.
• Concrete is made more durable, stronger and can be easily placed
with the use of nanotechnology
• Steel is made tougher.
• Glass is self-cleaning.
• Paints are made more insulating and water repelling.

4. • Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT)
• NANO SILICA
• TiO2
Carbon nanotubes TiO2 Nano Silica

5. Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT)
• They are cylindrical with nanometer diameter.
• They can be several millimeters in length.
• They have 5 times the Young’s modulus and 8 times the strength of steel
• Thermal conductivity is also very high
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)
• It is widely used white pigment.
• It can oxidize oxygen or organic materials, and so added to paints, cements,
windows, tiles, etc. for sterilizing, deodorizing and anti fouling properties.
• When incorporated into outdoor building materials can substantially reduce
concentration of airborne pollutants.
• Additionally, as TiO2 is exposed to UV light, it becomes increasingly
hydrophilic, thus it can be used for anti-fogging coatings or self cleaning
windows.