Nanotechnology Applications in Architecture

At the beginning of the third millennium, Nano-technology causes another industrial revolution. Nanotechnology, the science of manufacturing materials at a tiny scale, creates new possibilities to make dramatic improvements in our lives. Nanotechnology is an exciting area of scientific development which promises “more for less”. It offers ways to create smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster devices that can do more and cleverer functions, use less raw materials and consume less energy. It represents a whole new method of manufacturing, which achieves control at the atomic scale. It is better described as a collection of technologies which are genuinely “disruptive” – that is, they will render many existing technologies and processes obsolete and create entirely new types of products. Today, there are more than 450 manufacturer-identified nanotechnology-enabled products in the commercial market and “over 600 raw materials, intermediate components and industrial equipment items” used by Nano manufacturers and many more are sure to be followed, given the large investments in research, development, and commercialization. Many researchers believe that over the coming years and decades, nanotechnologies are set to make an enormous impact on manufacturing and service industries, on electronics, information technology, and on many other areas of life, from medicine to energy conservation. All objects are going to make on base of Nano scale and their properties form in this scale in future. Construction materials and manufacturing technology change soon, so we have to examine its impact on architecture. Applications of nanotechnology: - Environmental Protection - Sea Industries - Medicine - Electronics and Computer - Biotechnology Nano architecture combines Nano technology with architecture and its versatile effects. For the architecture profession, nanotechnology will greatly impact construction materials and their properties. Materials will behave in many different ways as we are able to precisely control their properties at the Nano-scale. The biggest ideas in today architecture are coming out of the science of the small. Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the molecular scale, promises to transform architecture in ways we can hardly imagine today. The nanotech revolution can bring dramatic improvements in building performance, energy efficiency and sustainability to building projects. By building construction and operation estimated to be a trillion dollar per year for a worldwide industry, it is to be expected that Nano material and nanotechnology will play an increasing role in the construction industry. According to Nanowerk “dozens of building materials incorporate nanotechnology, from self-cleaning windows to flexible solar panels to Wi-Fi blocking paint,” and “many more are in development, including self-healing concrete, materials to block ultraviolet and infrared radiation, smog-eating coatings and light-emitting walls and ceilings.” Nanotechnology and Architecture/Functions and Applications: - Self-cleaning/ Easy-to-clean - Air-purifying - Anti-fogging - Thermal Insulation - Temperature Regulation - UV Protection - Solar Protection - Fire-proof - Anti-graffiti - Anti-reflective - Antibacterial - Anti-fingerprints - Scratchproof and Abrasion Resistant However, if the researchers in this field put together with an ethical set of guidelines, then we can develop nanotechnology safely while still reaping its promised benefits. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of this technology in architecture. In this essay, descriptive method has chosen as a research method. So we present a definition of nanotechnology and its scientific aspects, study of nanotechnology materials applications in construction industry and case study, and also natural structures in architecture. Also, we emphasise on the advantage and side effect of this technology to use it carefully. It would be difficult to deny the potential benefits of nanotechnology and stop development of research related to it, since it has already begun to penetrate many different fields of research. Thus, Nano materials should replace with traditional materials as they will cause huge changes in construction. The architectural design based on Nano contracture offers an antidote to today’s form-driven practice. However, nanotechnology can be developed using guidelines to insure that the technology does not become too potentially harmful. As any new technology, it is impossible to stop every well-funded organization which may seek to develop the technology for harmful purposes. Effects of Nano architecture application: - Reducing Construction Waste (in Comparison with Traditional System) - Reducing Buildings Materials - Improving the Quality of Materials - Reduce the Consumption of Fossil Energy - Reduce Maintenance Costs - Preservation and Conservation - Economical - Design Ideally Space - Compatibility with Nature - Create Stable Structures.