Nano Technology

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Nanoparticles

Have at least one dimension in the range of 1-100nm.

The diameter is equivalent to the diameter of a soccer ball to that of the Earth's.

Exciting Innovations

Kalwall Nanogel - High light transmission, great insulation properties, waterproof and light (aerogel is 5% solid & 95% air)

Ultra-Ever Dry - a superhydrophobic (water) & oleo phobic coating that will completely repel almost any liquid. Proprietary Nanotechnology is used to coat an object and create a barrier of air on its surface. Also has vastly improved adhesions & abrasion resistance.

Other Functions of Nanotechnology

Flexible solar cells

Ground stabilisation

Corrosion resistant rebar - nanotechnology is used to manipulate the micro-structure of the steel to remove the carbides and ferrets that are responsible for corrosion.

Nano-electromechanical devices

Aerogel

Self-compacting concrete (SCC)

Self-healing concrete

Self-cleaning concrete

Flexible solar cells

Electrochomatic windows

Phase changing materials

Self-cleaning glass

Fire-resistant glass

High-performance translucent cladding

Super-insulation

High-strength welds

Vacuum insulation panels (VIP)

Nano-cement

Anti-graffiti paint

High-strength bolts

UPVC window protection - nanotechnology used to reduce UV damage and maintain the plastic used in the UPVC windows.

Growth in Nanotechnology

2006 saw 212 products with nanotechnology

2011 saw 521% increase from 212 to 1,317 nan-enabled products.

Largest product category for nanotechnology is health & fitness with 738 products.

Nanotechnology & Concrete

Nanotechnology provides improvements to concrete in the following areas:

Strength & Fracture Properties

Ultra-high compressive strength & improved tensile strength.

Controlled triggering of setting.

More efficient cement hydration.

Increased aggregate bond strength.

Control of cracks & self-healing.

Improvement in Ductility

Reduced permeability

Freeze/thaw resistant

Chloride/sulfate resistant

Volume Change Characteristics

Minimise shrinkage

Minimise pavement curling/warping

Sustainability & Safety

Self-cleaning/smog eating

Less CO2 emission clinkers

Longer life pavements/structures

Recycling concrete & using recycled components.

Sensing Technologies

Self-powered long last material based sensors, warning & communication systems.

Vibration harvesting for power.

Potential Health Hazards of Nanoparticles

The exposure potential of a nano particles is dependent on:

Its bioavailability to humans through inhalation, ingestion & dermal pathways.

It's ability to accumulate, persist and translocate within the environment and human body.

Products containing hazardous nanoparticles can cause H&S risks through it's lifecycle, from material processing and transportation to use and disposal.

Problematic Nanoparticles are carbon nanotubes and quantum dots.

There is emerging evidence indicating exposure to some types of nano material can cause inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs or skin inflammation.

Insufficient data to confirm the health consequences and to understand the conditions that produce such effects.

Each nano particle is different, some are less harmful than others.

Zinc and Carbon Black have been identified as having detectable biological effects.

Silica nano particles have been found to exhibit size-dependent toxicity.

Methods of Exposure to Nanomaterials

Breathing

Swallowing

Eyes

Skin contact

How do Nano Particles Become Bio-Available?

The following downstream activities may release nano materials:

Bag dumping

Manual transfer between processes

Mixing or compounding

Powder sifting

Machining of parts that contain nano materials.

What Can We Do About Nano?

Keep researching

Clarify which are worse

Know how the particles are released

Develop methods of protection

Know which nano particles are in which components.

Tell people where they are.

The 5 Principles of Safer Nanotechnology

Size, surface and structure - key to how hazardous a particular nanotechnology is.

Alternative materials - replace the main material or nano with a less hazardous one.

Functionalisation - change or improve the bonding of the nano.

Encapsulation - enclose the nano within another material.

Reduce the quantity - use less of hazardous nano particles in materials.

Why isn't Nanotechnology Just Banned?

Nano particles exit in nature (e.g. bacteria)

Nano particles can be created from normal materials by traditional means (e.g. burning)

Nano is everywhere, it couldn't be banned even if it was wanted.

Nano particles are so small that they can't be seen, which is part of the worry.

The size isn't the only problem, it's their proportions.

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