Introduction to nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction - Nanotechnology in Eco-efficient Construction - page 5

tious materials as well as pilot projects and fi eld tests, while Chapter 14
looks at self-cleaning and antibacterial tiles and glass. Photocatalytic paints
are discussed in Chapter 15 along with an analysis of strategies for the
preparation of photocatalytic paints activated by indoor light, and the
potential formation of by-products from photocatalytic paints. Finally,
Chapter 16 covers the use of nanotechnology for domestic water purifi ca-
tion. As the authors of this chapter put it, water 'is the single most essential
commodity responsible for the existence and sustenance of life on the
planet earth . . . Unfortunately, the most coveted natural resource was
already scarce, and is becoming increasingly scarce day by day . . . As
emphasized in one of the UN Millennium Development Goals, water scar-
city calls for strengthened international cooperation in the fi elds of tech-
nologies for enhanced water productivity'.
I hope that all of those involved in the construction industry can benefi t
from the knowledge contained in the present topic, which was kindly
assembled by a number of international experts. Special gratitude goes to
my three co-editors whose contributions to the topic have greatly enhanced
its quality.

1.4 References

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white paper. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 55, 362-81.
Arnall, A. and Parr, D. (2005) Moving the nanoscience and technology (NST) debate
forwards: short-term impacts, long-term uncertainty and the social constitution.
Technology in Society 27, 23-38.
Bystrzejewska-Piotrowska, G., Golimowski, J. and Urban, P. (2009) Nanoparticles:
their potential toxicity, waste and environmental management. Waste Manage-
ment 29, 2587-95.
Clements-Croome, D. (2011) Sustainable intelligent buildings for people: a review.
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Compañó, R. and Hullmann, A. (2002) Forecasting the development of nanotech-
nology with the help of science and technology indicators. Nanotechnology 13,
243-7.
Drexler, K. (1981) Molecular engineering: an approach to the development of
general capabilities for molecular manipulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78,
5275-8.
Feynman R. (1960) There's plenty of room at the bottom (reprint from the speech
given at the annual meeting of the West Coast section of the American Physical
Society). Eng Sci 23, 22-36.
Flatt, R., Roussel, N. and Cheeseman, C.R. (2012) Concrete: an eco-material
that needs to be improved. Journal of the European Ceramic Society 32,
2787-98.
Gartner, E. and Macphee, D. (2011) A physico-chemical basis for novel cementitious
binders. Cement and Concrete Research 41, 736-49.

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