German Government Calls For Nanotechnology Based Improvements To Building and Building Materials

The German Federal Ministry for education and research (BMBF) has launched a hightech strategy focussed on energy conservation and climatic protection. The strategy is based upon a material innovations for industry and society program and a nanoinitiative plan incorporating nano-technology in the building industry. This project is known as - NanoTecture.

Building areas identified that can immediately benefit from nanotechnology include building materials and materials such as improved fire protection coatings, insulating materials, concrete, roofing tiles and bricks

Topics to be explored further include:

• Increasing the durability of building elements (e.g. Front, window, doors, roofs). Examples: scratch-proof sealings and surfaces; UV protection; Dirt rejecting surfaces
• Reduction of the power requirement by nano-technological effects. Examples: new warmth damming materials and lacquers; Energy storing materials; Optimized thermic protection glazings
• Improvement of room climate, housing comfort and security. Examples: photo-catalytic, antibacterial and smell-reducing surfaces and materials even cleaning; Materials that regulate temperature and dampness in interiors; Surfaces and materials for noise reduction; new fire protection materials
• Improvement of the energy efficiency and longevity of cement-bound materials. Examples: ultrahigh-firm and long-life concrete, optimization of concrete and mortar prescriptions; Decrease of power requirements and emissions during cement production; Control of the characteristics of cement-bound building materials, improved mechanical characteristics
• Improvement of the stability of road surfacings. Examples: open-porous bitumen with high life span; Tear restraining bases; Bonding agent for the layer groups; Freeze protection with long life span