This book presents the current state of knowledge on nanomaterials and their use in buildings, ranging from glazing and vacuum insulation to PCM composites. It also discusses recent applications in organic photovoltaics, photo-bioreactors, bioplastics and foams, making it an exciting read while also providing copious references to current research and applications for those wanting to pursue possible future research directions. Derek Clements-Croome, Emeritus Professor in Architectural Engineering, University of Reading (From the Foreword) Demonstrating how higher energy efficiency in new and existing buildings can help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, this book details the way in which new technologies, manufacturing processes and products can serve to abate emissions from the energy sector and offer a cost-effective means of improving competitiveness and drive employment. Maximizing reader insights into how nano and biotech materials – such as aerogel based plasters, thermochromic glazings and thermal energy adsorbing glass, amongst others – can provide high energy efficiency performance in buildings, it provides practitioners in the field with an important high-tech tool to tackle key challenges and is essential reading for civil engineers, architects, materials scientists and researchers in the area of the sustainability of the built environment.

Bio-based Materials and Biotechnologies for Eco-efficient Construction fills a gap in the published literature, discussing bio-based materials and biotechnologies that are crucial for a more sustainable construction industry. With comprehensive coverage and contributions from leading experts in the field, the book includes sections on Bio-based materials and biotechnologies for infrastructure applications, Bio-based materials and biotechnologies for building energy efficiency, and other applications, such as using biotechnology to reduce indoor air pollution, for water treatment, and in soil decontamination. The book will be an essential reference resource for academic researchers, civil engineers, contractors working in construction works, postgraduate students and other professionals. - Focuses on sustainability and green concepts in construction - Discusses recent trends on bio-based materials and biotechnologies for eco-efficient construction - Covers many important aspects, including infrastructure applications, energy efficiency for building construction, and air, water and soil related problems

Edited by well-known pioneers in the field, this handbook and ready reference provides a comprehensive overview of transparent conductive materials with a strong application focus. Following an introduction to the materials and recent developments, subsequent chapters discuss the synthesis and characterization as well as the deposition techniques that are commonly used for energy harvesting and light emitting applications. Finally, the book concludes with a look at future technological advances. All-encompassing and up-to-date, this interdisciplinary text runs the gamut from chemistry and materials science to engineering, from academia to industry, and from fundamental challenges to readily available applications.

This book describes the detailed process behind the development of a comprehensive thermo-bio-architectural framework (the ThBA). This framework systematically connects the thermal performance requirements of a building to relevant solutions found in the natural world. This is the first time that architecture has been connected to biology in this manner. The book provides an in-depth understanding of thermoregulatory strategies in animals and plants and links these to equivalent solutions in architectural design. The inclusion of this fundamental knowledge, along with the systematic process of accessing it, should open up new avenues for the generation of energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

Biomass, Biopolymer-Based Materials and Bioenergy: Construction, Biomedical and Other Industrial Applications covers a broad range of material types, including natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, particulate composites, fiberboard, wood fiber composites, and plywood composite that utilize natural, renewable and biodegradable agricultural biomass. In terms of bioenergy, the authors explore not only the well-known processing methods of biofuels, but also the kinetics of biofuels production pathways, a techno-economic analysis on biomass gasification, and biomass gasification with further upgrading into diesel additives and hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation. Further chapters discuss advanced techniques for the development of biomass-based composites, biopolymer-based composites, biomass gasification, thermal kinetic design and techno-economic analysis of biomass gasification. By introducing these topics, the book highlights a totally new research theme in biopolymer-based composite materials and bioenergy. - Covers a broad range of different research fields, including biopolymer and natural fiber reinforcement used in the development of composites - Demonstrates key research themes in materials science and engineering, including materials processing, polymer science, biofuel processing, and thermal and kinetic studies - Presents valuable information for those working in research and development departments, and for graduate students (Masters and PhDs)

Covering the latest technologies, Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction provides an authoritative guide to the role of nanotechnology in the development of eco-efficient construction materials and sustainable construction. The book contains a special focus on applications concerning concrete and cement, as nanotechnology is driving significant development in concrete technologies. The new edition has 14 new chapters, including 3 new parts: Mortars and concrete related applications; Applications for pavements and other structural materials; and Toxicity, safety handling and environmental impacts. Civil engineers requiring an understanding of eco-efficient construction materials, as well as researchers and architects within any field of nanotechnology, eco-efficient materials or the construction industry will find this updated reference to be highly valuable. - Addresses issues such as toxicity and LCA aspects - New chapters covering safety handling on occupational exposure of nanoparticles and the assessment of personal exposure to airborne nanomaterials - Discusses the effects of adding nano-particles on the durability and on the properties of geopolymers

Cost-Effective Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting:Materials, Technologies, Optimization and Case Studies provides essential knowledge for civil engineers, architects, and other professionals working in the field of cost-effective energy efficient building retrofitting. The building sector is responsible for high energy consumption and its global demand is expected to grow as each day there are approximately 200,000 new inhabitants on planet Earth. The majority of electric energy will continue to be generated from the combustion of fossil fuels releasing not only carbon dioxide, but also methane and nitrous oxide. Energy efficiency measures are therefore crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the building sector. Energy efficient building retrofitting needs to not only be technically feasible, but also economically viable. New building materials and advanced technologies already exist, but the knowledge to integrate all active components is still scarce and far from being widespread among building industry stakeholders. - Emphasizes cost-effective methods for the refurbishment of existing buildings, presenting state-of-the-art technologies - Includes detailed case studies that explain various methods and Net Zero Energy - Explains optimal analysis and prioritization of cost effective strategies

The usage of building energy accounts for 30–40% of total energy consumption in developed countries, exceeding the amount for industry or transportation. Around 50% energy for building services is contributed by heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. More importantly, both building and HVAC energy consumptions are predicted to increase in the next two decades. Windows are considered as the least energy-efficient components of buildings. Therefore, smart windows are becoming increasingly important as they are capable of reducing HVAC energy usage by tuning the transmitted sunlight in a smart and favoured way: blocking solar irradiation on hot days, while letting it pass through on cold days. Compared with other type of smart windows, thermochromic windows have the unique advantages of cost-effectiveness, rational stimulus, and passive response. This book covers fabrication of vanadium dioxide–based smart windows, discusses various strategies to enhance their performance, and shares perspectives from the top scientists in this particular field.

Comprehensively introduces readers to the production, modifications, and applications of nanocellulose This book gives a thorough introduction to the structure, properties, surface modification, theory, mechanism of composites, and functional materials derived from nanocellulose. It also provides in-depth descriptions of plastics, composites, and functional nanomaterials specifically derived from cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial cellulose. It includes the most recent progress in developing a conceptual framework of nanocellulose, as well as its numerous applications in the design and manufacture of nanocomposites and functional nanomaterials. The book also looks at the relationship between structure and properties. Featuring contributions from many noted experts in the field, Nanocellulose: From Fundamentals to Advanced Materials examines the current status of nanocomposites based on nanocelluloses. It covers surface modification of nanocellulose in the nanocomposites development; reinforcing mechanism of cellulose nanocrystals in nanocomposites; and advanced materials based on self-organization of cellulose nanocrystals. The book studies the role of cellulose nanofibrils in nanocomposites, as well as a potential application based on colloidal properties of cellulose nanocrystals. It also offers strategies to explore biomedical applications of nanocellulose. Provides comprehensive knowledge on the topic of nanocellulose, including the preparation, structure, properties, surface modification and strategy Covers new reports on the application of nanocellulose Summarizes three kinds of nanocellulose (cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial cellulose) and their production, modification, and applications Nanocellulose: From Fundamentals to Advanced Materials is a useful resource for specialist researchers of chemistry, materials, and nanotechnology science, as well as for researchers and students of the subject.

Advanced Materials for Sustainable Environmental Remediation: Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments presents detailed, comprehensive coverage of novel and advanced materials that can be applied to address the growing global concern of the pollution of natural resources in waters, the air and soil. It provides fundamental knowledge on available materials and treatment processes, as well as applications, including adsorptive remediation and catalytic remediation. Organized clearly by type of material, this book presents a consistent structure for each chapter, including characteristics of the materials, basic and important physicochemical features for environmental remediation applications, routes of synthesis, recent advances as remediation medias, and future perspectives. This book offers an interdisciplinary and practical examination of available materials and processes for environmental remediation that will be valuable to environmental scientists, materials scientists, environmental chemists, and environmental engineers alike. - Highlights a wide range of synthetic methodologies, physicochemical and engineered features of novel materials and composites/hybrids for environmental purposes - Provides comprehensive, consolidated coverage of advanced materials for environmental remediation applications for researchers in environmental science, materials science, and industry to identify in-depth solutions to pollution - Presents up-to-date details of advanced materials, including descriptions and characteristics that impact their applications in environmental remediation processes