Building Green with Nanotechnology


,

Keywords: , , , ,

Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the molecular scale, is opening new possibilities in green building through products like solar energy collecting paints, nanogel high-insulating translucent panels, and heat-absorbing windows. Even more dramatic breakthroughs are now in development such as paint-on lasers that could one day allow materials to send information to each other, windows that shift from transparent to opaque with the flip of a switch, and environmentally friendly biocides for preserving wood. These breakthrough materials are opening new frontiers in green building, offering unprecedented performance in energy efficiency, durability, economy and sustainability. This presentation provides an overview of nanotechnology applications for green building, with an emphasis on the energy conservation capabilities of architectural nanomaterials and the role of nanosensors in green building. Ubiquitous sensing is likely to bring a host of benefits including customized temperature settings in buildings, light-sensitive photochromic windows, and user-aware appliances. Join Dr. George Elvin, director of Green Technology Forum and fellow of the Center for Energy Research, Education and Service, to learn more about how the nanotech revolution is bringing dramatic improvements in building performance, energy efficiency, environmental sensing, and sustainability, leading the way to greener buildings.

PDF of paper:


Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2007 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 167 - 170
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Sustainable Materials
ISBN: 1-4200-6382-0