NCSC News
Press Release - 2009.02.21 Cairo
Erecting Nanoconstruction on Pharaoh’s Land:
Potential Advantages of Implementing Nanotechnology in Egyptian Construction
For a country that contains a profound history of architectural masterpieces, another step towards novel construction is characteristic of Egypt. When the pharaohs were hard at work constructing the perfect pyramid, their goal was to create a resting place that would connect to the heavens, but they also upheld standards of strength, resistance, and visual attraction. Through trial and error of multiple pyramid structures scattered throughout the Sahara, the ancient Egyptians were able to create the ultimate Great Pyramid.
Four thousand years later, our society still follows the same set of standards in modern construction. Research labs have been hard at work with their own trial and errors to formulate the seamless construction materials of this age. This is the age of nanotechnology.
Why Egypt?
In a country with 81 million residents, the increasing demand for housing and the large infrastructure projects have driven Egypt’s construction sector to rise as one of the most active and fastest growing sector. Construction investments alone amount to over 48% of the country’s total investment and was estimated to grow an average of 20-25% annually since the 1980s. With the massive size and scope of the construction industry, any wide-spread enhancements will undoubtedly lead to an impressive impact on the country.
Nanotechnology will chiefly affect the building materials subsector, which not only represents a significant chunk of the total cost of a construction project, but also produces export commodities. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Trade & Industry, cement production for domestic use amounted to 29.2 million tons in 2006, with an additional 8.7 million tons exported. In the steel industry, approximately 6.4 million tons were produced, and nearly 2 million tons exported. The government continues to invest heavily in this area and with their assistance, integrating nanotechnology into construction, known as nanoconstruction, could lead to tremendous development.
Strength for the Economy
In the previous year, Egypt suffered rising local cement and steel prices due to a shortage in production, coupled with the booming construction sector. This sparked the Ministry of Trade and Industry to implement an export duty on cement, and further banning cement exports for 6 months.
Employing nanomaterials can result in a surplus of building material. Nanoparticles, on their own, exhibit more strength than traditional building materials, and they can be mixed with cement or steel to act as fillers. The result is building material with increasing strength, but with less material.
Strength is a principal standard for construction, but another criterion that has dwindled in importance is visual attractiveness. In many low-cost housing projects, where the aim was to produce structures to fill the housing crisis, appearance was neglected. Pliant nanomaterials allow for higher freedom of construction, design, and architecture without sacrificing other aspects.
With the incorporation of these technologies, more communities flaunting the look of innovative “smart” cities will dot the landscape, attracting more foreign investment and boost tourism.
The most rewarding aspect about these advanced communities is they will be affordable. Bassem El-Borollocy, the general manager of a prominent Egyptian real estate firm, proposed that “effective low-cost housing can be achieved in one of two ways: either by using building material that is readily available in the region in which the housing is being built; or by finding alternatives to the expensive material.” The first solution failed in an attempt using mud brick and rock in Upper Egypt, but nanocomposites show prospect for fulfilling the second solution. They will prove that quality building material shouldn’t be sacrificed in order to accommodate communities throughout Egypt.
Moreover, nanoconstruction will exhibit its practicality if implemented in the South Valley Development project. Nanotechnology could aid in climate control within buildings by blocking out UV rays, providing insulation, and can even taking advantage of the desert sun to allow for energy storage in buildings, thus reducing the need for building more power stations.
Nanoconstructing a Safer City
An article published by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt states that “ever since the construction boom of the 1970s, thousands of buildings have been erected without adhering to basic safety regulations, while owners have made countless illegal renovations and additions.”
The Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics report that in Cairo alone, 13,000 buildings require repair, and 9,000 more are beyond restoration and necessitate demolition. In the meantime, a nanomaterial protective coating may be used to preserve structures, and it possesses such a resilience that could even allow for use on ancient monuments like the pyramids, which, although constructed with great care, are predicted to crumble many generations from now due to weathering and pollution.
Another breakthrough in nano safety materials are nanoreinforcements, which act as sensors when used in concrete structures, possessing the capability to be powered and interrogated wirelessly or through vibration, to determine quality control, monitor health and durability, and protect against damage. Carbon nanotubes are currently being used to strengthen and monitor concrete as they possess 8 times the strength of steel with 1/6 the density. They would be particularly useful in bridge construction, which has increased throughout Cairo to relieve traffic congestion.
Safety has also been a concern in coastal city buildings that are weakened by the high air salinity and humidity. If poor building materials are utilized, as with many of the new buildings being erected in Agamy, residents are constantly facing problems of rusting and corrosion. As a possible remedy, an ultra-thin insulation has been invented which uses a nanoporous aerogel structure that repels water. In Denmark, paint containing this material is utilized in maintaining ships.
Finally, recent concerns regarding the Parliament building fire and the train fire of 2002 sparked regulations over fire-proofing public structures. Fire-protective cladding on glass is already being used with silica nanoparticles, which turn into a rigid and opaque fire shield when heated.
Constructive Solutions for the Environment
With Egypt’s 25% increased construction industry activity in 2007, the Ministry of Trade and Industry approved 14 new cement plants and 4 new steel plants. Although it is promising for the economic and social setting, it can only wreck havoc on the poisonous pollution levels in Egypt. Carbon dioxide emissions in Egypt from cement production are over 9%.
If certain nanomaterials are incorporated into cement manufacturing, structures could actually aid in depolluting the air. A common nanoparticle, titanium oxide, has stood out for its ability to break down dirt or pollution and then allow it to be washed off any surface. If added to paints, cement, and windows, not only can it self-sterilize indoor surfaces, but it can also reduce airborne pollutants when applied to walls, tunnels and roads. In an experiment observed in Italy, 75,000 square feet of road surface was covered with titanium oxide-infused cement. Researchers found nitrogen oxide levels reduced by up to 60%.
Construction for the Future
A new standard for construction has recently accrued importance in the Egyptian agenda. Sustainable development has been promoted by the Egyptian government by proposing to invest 122 billion EGP for local development in a five-year plan. The production of cement and its derivatives is a major target for immediate action by decreasing their production and making the processes more environment-friendly.
Long-term effects of utilizing nanoconstruction include lower energy demand. Nanomaterials can control sunlight and heat entering buildings as well as provide insulation. In reducing heating and cooling costs as well as appropriately harvesting the surrounding energy, more “green” buildings would improve the living conditions and significantly reduce Egypt’s contribution to global warming.
Although saving the environment was not a concern for the ancient pharaohs, certainly the benefits of nanoconstruction fulfill important characteristics that architects throughout the ages have incorporated in their designs. As nanotechnology becomes widespread and cheaper, people will desire the technology in their own homes. Nanotechnology can provide capable structures that are safe, healthy, comfortable, low maintenance, durable, energy saving, and affordable while maintaining their value over time.
Allana Haist, vice president and co-founder of SabryCorp Ltd, a nanotechnology consulting firm in Egypt, says that “the construction sector in the Middle East is a very influential sector, and one that is most likely to have the funding and the initiative to begin implementing advanced technologies. We hope that . . . they will begin to back R&D efforts in the region and help ring bells that the time to invest in science and technology is now here.” Another revolution in construction shall be marked in history.
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