CONSTRUCTION WASTE & SUSTAINABILITY

The prosperity of many civilisations, is highly dependent on the evolution and competency of the built environment. As our population continues to increase, our built environment needs to follow suit. 

The world is undergoing a major construction boom. and it is estimated that the global infrastructure addition will be about two trillion square feet of buildings by 2060 . This is the equivalent of building up infrastructure at the scale of New York City monthly, for the next 4 decades. This effort to make the world more inhabitable for all however, will inevitably contribute to harmful climate change and waste from construction and demolition, which currently acounts for about  30% of total waste produced globally and a substantial percentage thereof, heads straight to landfills. Simply put, the construction sector creates an estimated third of the world's overall waste, and at least 40% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions. Construction waste is expected to reach 2.2 billion tons annually by 2025.

INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH MADE SUSTAINABLE

Rammed Earth is a construction option, that has the benefit of reducing the need to rebuild structures, thus decreasing our dependence on extracting, transporting, and processing industrialised materials. Combining this method with advanced nanotechnology helps make infrastructure growth combined with sustainability, much more viable. 

Contemporary construction is typically expected to last less than 50 years with extensive and costly upkeep required. Rammed earth however, has stood the test of time and lasted several thousands of years, with minimal upkeep.  Reducing upkeep and extending the lifespan of architectural structures, be they residential or commercial, has great potential to reduce construction waste. 

We propose, that Incorporating high performance nanotechnology solutions, can help shift the incentive structures that previously led to waste, by helping companies make more informed and accurate decisions further in advance and prevent the wrong materials from ever showing up on job sites.

When placed in conditions that offer a constant flow of cool dry air, the inner pot of a zeer can reach temperatures as low as 4.5 °C (40 °F).

This technology has been used as early as 2500 B.C., in Egypt. Although this ancient technology remains useful, it can indeed be made better, to complement modern needs and enhance its sustainability. 

A zeer redefined and used to cool, transport and store thermally-sensitive products for a given timeframe -  be they food, dairy or vaccines in remote and arid areas of the world, can be further equipped with the additional functionality provided by quantum materials, so as to provide the following improvements:

• Anti-pathogenic protection in the dark 

• Corrosion resistance

• Enhanced radiative cooling with smart materials

• Mechanical Reinforcement to minimise the likelihood of fracture/breakage 

• Lightweight 

• Nuclear Radiation Shielding

• Absorption of heavy metals and neutralisation of toxins in water

1. Antimicrobial & Anti-Fungal Activity in The Dark

Beyond cooling, the inner clay pot of the zeer, can be made antimicrobial and anti-fungal, in dark and sometimes moist environments that promote the proliferation of such harmful organisms. This will help provide a more sanitary environment, for healthier food preservation and a further extension of the shelf-life of food crop stored therein. This is crucial, for dairy produce, that can foul easily, in shorter time frames than vegetables. 

The Challenge:  As the inner part of the pot is dark, it becomes challenging to work with active antimicrobial materials, as these typically require light activation. Light exposure however, is a source of heat, which would counteract the cooling needed within the zeer. 

Quantum-Enhancement Solution

NANOARC provides atomically architectured quantum materials, that deliver antimicrobial activity in the dark, by virtue of their size (sub 20 nanometers) and material-specific quantum effects. Above the mentioned particle size range, this effect dwindles. Our materials are considered safe and approved by the FDA. 

2. Lightweight & Mechanically Robust 

Clay pots are heavy. This affects their transportability, especially for farmers, who may consider taking their produce to the marketplace. For the manufacturer, the weight reflects in additional shipment and material costs, that can be curbed. 

The Challenge: Making clay pots thinner, to lower their weight, will render them fragile and susceptible to fracture. 

Quantum-Enhancement Solution

We use atomically architectured quantum materials with earthen/building materials such as; cement, concrete and volcanic rocks, to significantly enhance the strength of these materials by 15 - 25% (depending on blend) while at the same time, lowering the weight of the overall mix by almost half. 

As an additional asset, the filler materials serve in reducing porosity, which is a source of structural failure in clay/ceramic pots. These pores and crevices, often serve as sites for staining and bacteria accumulation, as well as eventual proliferation. This is a matter that our material can circumvent, for an improved zeer. 

3. Corrosion Resistance

For arid regions, especially those located by the sea, there is not much access to fresh water. For this, sea water can be used to wet the sand in the zeer.

The Challenge: Penetration of corrosive agents like chlorine in the salt, can compromise the quality of certain products stored in the zeer over time.

Quantum-Enhancement Solution

Our atomically-architectured quantum materials are effective in corrosion inhibition; they fill and seal nanoscopic pores in clay/ceramics, to prevent diffusion of chlorine in salt across earthen materials. We are currently able to improve corrosion by over 50%, depending on quantum material dosage in earthen blends.

4. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Block 

UV radiation comes from the sun, and is a major source of heat. It can significantly affect the cooling of the zeer, especially when used in humid regions or stored in areas with minimal air flow, as may be the case on some days. 

The Challenge: Certain materials such as titanium oxide, are used for UV block. However, these are potential carcinogens and should be avoided. 

Quantum-Enhancement Solution: 

Our Q-ZEER I offers a safer alternative and more effective material system in blocking UV radiation than titanium oxide. This effect becomes more enhanced in atomically-architectured quantum-phase materials, which is the reason why they can be used in very small quantities, without increasing the overall weight of the zeer. 

Atomically-architectured materials not only shield UV, but also reflects it off the surface of the material it is incorporated in. This will help the zeer cool faster, and for longer time frames. With the inevitable effects of climatic change at hand, this would be essential, in extending the shelf-life of products stored in the zeer. 

5. Enhanced Cooling/Heat transport 

Atomically-architectured, quantum-phase materials LIKE Q-ZEER BLACK ROSE can be used to enhance heat transport/storage, depending on implementation. Working within the quantum phase enables ballistic heat transport, a phenomenon surpassing the performance of standard materials in a similar class. 

The challenge: The quantum materials need to be ultrafine nanoparticles, typically in the sub 20 nm range. The smaller the particles, the more enhanced the effect. These are the most challenging materials to manufacture - in uniformity and quantity.

Quantum-Enhancement Solution

We offer two classes of atomically-architectured materials, to either serve in the active removal of heat from within the zeer, or serve as a reverse system, by storing heat. The materials can be applied within or on the zeer. 

Essentially, the finer the nanoparticles, the higher their surface area. With an increased surface area, the overall performance of the nanomaterial increases substantially.