C hapter 3 the Design Context
64
description presented is actually played out many times over in a
highly complex or sophisticated product, with many components
that are “products” in their own right becoming “constituent” components within a larger and more complex product.
Figure 3.12 suggests examples in which nanomaterials and nanotechnologies can play a role in systems found in products. To industrial designers, the role of the “surface” of a product is particularly
important. There are many potential applications of nanomaterials
in surfaces, such as self-cleaning, antimicrobial, improved abrasion
or scratch resistance, self-healing, and others (Figure 3.12).
In buildings, the common description used for constituent systems
includes structural systems; heating, ventilating, and cooling
systems; lighting systems; sound systems; enclosure and fenestration systems (walls, doors, windows); transportation systems
(elevators, escalators); fire-protection systems; various kinds of
information and control systems; and others (see Figure 3.13).
Basic ideas of hierarchical system/subsystem/component and
assembly/subassembly/part relations are fundamental to the field.
Similar observations can be made about systems and assemblies in
bridges and other civil works, albeit bridges and similar constructions tend naturally to focus primarily on specific systems (e.g.,
structural). Many components that make up the assemblies and
systems in buildings, such as telecommunication or lighting components, are in themselves complex and high-value “products” in
every sense of the word.
On the other hand, the nature of building often requires many
on-site construction activities that make massive use of relatively
low-level “products” that are almost raw materials or marginally
removed from them, such as concrete. Large sizes of components
and low volume of use and production issues are even more present
in these conditions than in more traditional products. Figure 3.13
suggests where nanomaterials and nanotechnologies might play a
role in relation to building systems—for example, nanotechnologies in control systems or electro-optical displays, sensors, energy
systems (including solar cells), films and coatings on enclosure
panels or glass windows, water and air purification, and others.
Figure 3.14 shows a brief selection of several buildings using some
type of nanoscale material. As with products, surface characteristics
of the type listed in Figure 3.12 are again extremely important.
Many of these functionalities, such as self-cleaning or antimicrobial, are based on photocatalytic effects. Large surfaces with photocatalytic properties can also contribute to pollution reduction to
a limited but useful extent (see Chapter 10).
64
description presented is actually played out many times over in a
highly complex or sophisticated product, with many components
that are “products” in their own right becoming “constituent” components within a larger and more complex product.
Figure 3.12 suggests examples in which nanomaterials and nanotechnologies can play a role in systems found in products. To industrial designers, the role of the “surface” of a product is particularly
important. There are many potential applications of nanomaterials
in surfaces, such as self-cleaning, antimicrobial, improved abrasion
or scratch resistance, self-healing, and others (Figure 3.12).
In buildings, the common description used for constituent systems
includes structural systems; heating, ventilating, and cooling
systems; lighting systems; sound systems; enclosure and fenestration systems (walls, doors, windows); transportation systems
(elevators, escalators); fire-protection systems; various kinds of
information and control systems; and others (see Figure 3.13).
Basic ideas of hierarchical system/subsystem/component and
assembly/subassembly/part relations are fundamental to the field.
Similar observations can be made about systems and assemblies in
bridges and other civil works, albeit bridges and similar constructions tend naturally to focus primarily on specific systems (e.g.,
structural). Many components that make up the assemblies and
systems in buildings, such as telecommunication or lighting components, are in themselves complex and high-value “products” in
every sense of the word.
On the other hand, the nature of building often requires many
on-site construction activities that make massive use of relatively
low-level “products” that are almost raw materials or marginally
removed from them, such as concrete. Large sizes of components
and low volume of use and production issues are even more present
in these conditions than in more traditional products. Figure 3.13
suggests where nanomaterials and nanotechnologies might play a
role in relation to building systems—for example, nanotechnologies in control systems or electro-optical displays, sensors, energy
systems (including solar cells), films and coatings on enclosure
panels or glass windows, water and air purification, and others.
Figure 3.14 shows a brief selection of several buildings using some
type of nanoscale material. As with products, surface characteristics
of the type listed in Figure 3.12 are again extremely important.
Many of these functionalities, such as self-cleaning or antimicrobial, are based on photocatalytic effects. Large surfaces with photocatalytic properties can also contribute to pollution reduction to
a limited but useful extent (see Chapter 10).