Nanotechnology in Houston has the potential to change the construction industry in the very near future. Applications that are in the works are especially promising in the concrete industry. Opting for a Houston foundation contractor that keeps up with the latest technology allows property owners to reap the benefits of the latest nanotechnology.
What Is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology can be difficult to define, and pinpointing the exact meaning of the word often requires the application of the technology to first be defined. The term generally applies to technology that is used on a microscopic scale. Even though nanotechnology deals with small particles, scientific developments that incorporate nanotechnology have the potential to prompt big changes.
While the application of nanotechnology in the construction industry is a newer development, scientists and construction professionals see a lot of potential. There are many benefits that may soon be available to the construction industry as nanotech particles begin to be mixed into or applied to construction materials.
How Nanotechnology is Changing the Construction Industry
Nanotechnology has already shown promising potential when it comes to concrete. The pigment titanium dioxide has been used in concrete for years. Titanium dioxide is able to absorb UV rays to maintain its color, and the substance is even able to absorb pollutants out of the air to create a cleaner environment. A paving contractor that utilizes this technology can help to reduce pollution while creating a durable road surface.
The use of titanium dioxide in glass produces glass that defogs itself. This example of how nanotech particles can be used to benefit the construction industry provides solid evidence for the advantages of developing this technology even further.
Nanoparticles have been known to scientists for decades, but the use of these particles in construction is still in progress. For example, the existence of carbon nanotubes has been known since the 1950s. These particles are able to produce building materials that are approximately one-sixth the density of steel while providing up to 100 times the strength.
Science Fiction Becomes Reality
It may seem like something from a science fiction movie, but there are actually nanoparticles that can conduct electricity and realign themselves after being mixed into construction material. Scientists believe that it will be possible to use building materials infused with these nanoparticles to create roads and buildings that are able to repair themselves in the future.
Some nanoparticles are able to enhance traditional building materials while maintaining the density of these materials to allow them to be used as they have been throughout the years. A concrete contractor can use the same concrete that they have always used, but the addition of these particles offers benefits like increased strength, fire resistant, self-healing, air purifying, easy to clean, and quick compacting concrete.
Nanotechnology and the Future of the Construction Industry
There are certainly applications of nanotechnology that can be used to improve the way the construction industry builds. The environmental impact of construction may be significantly reduced through the use of nanoparticles that are able to align themselves. This reduces the need for pounding and shaping building materials to fit a specific building design.
Producing concrete that is stronger and easier to shape will also improve the durability of buildings while reducing labor costs. Sustainability is a major concern for construction companies and their clients, and nanotechnology has the potential to provide the durability and sustainability that is needed in the buildings of the future.
While nanotechnology has the ability to change the construction industry, the fact that new technology related to the construction of buildings, roads and homes is slow to take hold. This means that nanotechnology may not be widely used for years. Underdeveloped countries may not have the financial resources to take advantage of the technology even when it becomes readily available. The growth of nanotechnology in developed countries is already evident in the increasing number of patents related to cement that incorporates these particles.