517
weights are enormous (improved performance, reduced fuel consumption, etc.) and can warrant expected higher material costs. The
same driver is simply not true to anywhere near the same extent in
most common buildings. Though interesting and exciting exceptions certainly do exist, this absent primary driver and unfavorable
cost/benefit pictures can tend to inhibit innovation. Innovations
such as the use metal matrix composites or in responsecontrol
systems are thus expected to occur first in specialized or very
highvalue buildings (see the discussion on this topic in Chapter
3), not your average commercial or residential construction.
Nonetheless, advances are being made and incremental improvements can be expected. With reinforced concrete, for example,
improvements based on nanoparticle inclusions not only can
improve strengths, they can improve workability and other factors
as well (Sections 9.2 and 10.2). Selfcleaning actions or pollutionreducing treatments offer interesting potential. For metal members
and various kinds of structural panels, various kinds of nanobased
coatings and paints will undoubtedly become more widely used.
Ancillary elements serve elemental but highly necessary functions.
A host of products fall into this category, such as common railings,
hinges, and myriad others. Most typical products in this area are
made exclusively for the building industry and are fairly far down
on the technology sophistication chain. Rarely is there appreciable
sophistication here in basic bulk material usage, and, consequently,
prospects for positive improvements via the use of nanomaterials
are currently limited. Exceptions again go toward surfacerelated
interventions such as paints and coatings for these products.
Improvements in mechanical properties, such as scratch resistance,
are important. Flame retardant and toxicityreducing coatings are
potentially highly important. Nanocoatings can potentially help
reduce outgassing from common material such as carpets that can
contribute to indoor air pollution. At the very bottom of the technology value chain are products that are widely used in construction
but are little removed from raw material product forms. Materials
such as gravels fall into this category. Little is expected here.
In summary, nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are expected
to contribute to greatly improved living and work environments.
More dramatic improvements are expected in specific highvalue
systems and components. Others will be initially less impacted. The
most literally visible of these projected impacts—and keep in mind
that creating positive visual constructs is an important and valued
province of architects—is expected to be within the realm of light,
The Building and Construction Industry
weights are enormous (improved performance, reduced fuel consumption, etc.) and can warrant expected higher material costs. The
same driver is simply not true to anywhere near the same extent in
most common buildings. Though interesting and exciting exceptions certainly do exist, this absent primary driver and unfavorable
cost/benefit pictures can tend to inhibit innovation. Innovations
such as the use metal matrix composites or in responsecontrol
systems are thus expected to occur first in specialized or very
highvalue buildings (see the discussion on this topic in Chapter
3), not your average commercial or residential construction.
Nonetheless, advances are being made and incremental improvements can be expected. With reinforced concrete, for example,
improvements based on nanoparticle inclusions not only can
improve strengths, they can improve workability and other factors
as well (Sections 9.2 and 10.2). Selfcleaning actions or pollutionreducing treatments offer interesting potential. For metal members
and various kinds of structural panels, various kinds of nanobased
coatings and paints will undoubtedly become more widely used.
Ancillary elements serve elemental but highly necessary functions.
A host of products fall into this category, such as common railings,
hinges, and myriad others. Most typical products in this area are
made exclusively for the building industry and are fairly far down
on the technology sophistication chain. Rarely is there appreciable
sophistication here in basic bulk material usage, and, consequently,
prospects for positive improvements via the use of nanomaterials
are currently limited. Exceptions again go toward surfacerelated
interventions such as paints and coatings for these products.
Improvements in mechanical properties, such as scratch resistance,
are important. Flame retardant and toxicityreducing coatings are
potentially highly important. Nanocoatings can potentially help
reduce outgassing from common material such as carpets that can
contribute to indoor air pollution. At the very bottom of the technology value chain are products that are widely used in construction
but are little removed from raw material product forms. Materials
such as gravels fall into this category. Little is expected here.
In summary, nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are expected
to contribute to greatly improved living and work environments.
More dramatic improvements are expected in specific highvalue
systems and components. Others will be initially less impacted. The
most literally visible of these projected impacts—and keep in mind
that creating positive visual constructs is an important and valued
province of architects—is expected to be within the realm of light,
The Building and Construction Industry