Nanotechnology Protection for Houses in Earthquake Zones

Summary posted by Meridian on 4/2/2007
Source: Nanowerk
Author: n/a

Researchers from the NanoManufacturing Institute (NMI) based at Leeds University in the U.K. and German building manufacturer Knauf will be constructing an earthquake-resistant villa, with nanotechnology-based "seal-healing" walls, on a Greek mountainside. The villa's walls will be made of novel load-bearing steel frames and high-strength gypsum board containing nanopolymer particles that liquidize when places under pressure and, subsequently, flow into cracks and reconstitute as a solid material. The villa's walls will also contain monitors that will record information about the building, as well as stresses, vibrations, temperatures, humidity, and gas levels. Researcher Terry Wilkins said: "If there are any problems, the intelligent sensor network will be able to alert residents immediately so they have time to escape. If whole groups of houses are so constructed, we could use a larger network of sensors to get even more information. If the house falls down, we have got hand-held devices that can be used over the rubble to pick out where the embedded sensors are hidden to get some information about how the villa collapsed. Also, we can get information about anyone who may be around, so it potentially becomes a tool for rescue." He further said that once an optimum design is developed, they could "quickly start producing thousands of litres of nano-particle fluid, adding just a tiny percentage to the gypsum mix." The project, called "Intelligent Safe and Secure Buildings" (ISSB), is funded under the EU's Sixth Framework program and is expected to be completed by December 2010. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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our team contact us site map	Nanotechnology Protection for Houses in Earthquake Zones Summary posted by Meridian on 4/2/2007 Source: Nanowerk Author: n/a Researchers from the NanoManufacturing Institute (NMI) based at Leeds University in the U.K. and German building manufacturer Knauf will be constructing an earthquake-resistant villa, with nanotechnology-based "seal-healing" walls, on a Greek mountainside. The villa's walls will be made of novel load-bearing steel frames and high-strength gypsum board containing nanopolymer particles that liquidize when places under pressure and, subsequently, flow into cracks and reconstitute as a solid material. The villa's walls will also contain monitors that will record information about the building, as well as stresses, vibrations, temperatures, humidity, and gas levels. Researcher Terry Wilkins said: "If there are any problems, the intelligent sensor network will be able to alert residents immediately so they have time to escape. If whole groups of houses are so constructed, we could use a larger network of sensors to get even more information. If the house falls down, we have got hand-held devices that can be used over the rubble to pick out where the embedded sensors are hidden to get some information about how the villa collapsed. Also, we can get information about anyone who may be around, so it potentially becomes a tool for rescue." He further said that once an optimum design is developed, they could "quickly start producing thousands of litres of nano-particle fluid, adding just a tiny percentage to the gypsum mix." The project, called "Intelligent Safe and Secure Buildings" (ISSB), is funded under the EU's Sixth Framework program and is expected to be completed by December 2010. The article can be viewed online at the link below. The original article may still be available at www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1715.php As tagged by Meridian Institute: Materials And Manufacturing: Materials Regions: Europe Stakeholders: Government, Industry, Academia Related Forums: Materials and Manufacturing print format	NDN Home Subscribe Manage Subscription Search News Archives 3rd International Seminar on Nanosciences and Nanotechnology -- Seminario Naotecnologias Cuba (7/29/2010) The 3rd International Seminar on Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, organized by the Office of the Scientific Advisor to the State Council of the Republic of Cuba and the Center for Advanced Cuban Studes (CEAC), will take place from September 6-10, 2010, in Havana, Cuba. The aim of the conference is to open new paths of cooperation for the development of CEAC, consolidate existent and emerging networks in the country, and provide elements for the design of a national strategy in this field. [More] Super-sizing a Cancer Drug Minimizes Side Effects -- MIT News (7/29/2010) Scientists at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) have designed a new version of the drug cisplatin, one of the first chemotherapy drugs given to patients diagnosed with cancer, that spares the kidneys, allowing doctors to use higher doses. [More] An Asphalt Pact Cut Fumes—& Created A Model -- New Haven Independent (7/29/2010) At a recent conference hosted by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), convened to talk about the potential health hazards in the nanotechnology industry, a successful partnership between government, industry, and workers to tackle worker safety in the asphalt industry was looked to as a possible model for addressing worker safety in the nanotechnology industry. [More] Nanomagnets Remove Pathogens from Blood -- Nanowerk (7/28/2010) Researchers from the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering of the ETH Zurich, Switzerland, have demonstrated a novel use of nanomagnets to rapidly and selectively remove heavy metal ions, overdosed steroid drugs and proteins from human blood. [More] More News... Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here. Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.