Paper Title
Case Study on Nanotechnology in Construction

Abstract
The paper is an extended summary of the state-of-the-art report on Application of Nanotechnology in Construction, which is one of the main tasks of a European project – Towards the setting up of a Network of Excellence in Nanotechnology in Construction (NANOCONEX). The paper first presents background information and current developments of nanotechnology in general. Then, the current activities and awareness of nanotechnology in the construction industry are examined by analysing results of a survey of construction professionals and leading researchers in the field. This is followed by results of a desk study of nanotechnology development and activities focussing on key areas relevant to construction and the built environment. Examples of nanotechnology-enabled materials and products that are either on the market or ready to be adopted in the construction industry are provided. Finally, the future trend/potential and implications of nanotechnology development in construction are discussed. Nanotechnology is one of the most active research areas that encompass a number of disciplines, including civil engineering and construction materials. It seems to hold the key that allows construction and building materials to replicate the features of natural systems improved until perfection for millions of years. Traditionally, nanotechnology has been concerned with developments in most of the fields like microbiology, medicine, electronic, chemical, and materials sciences. However, the potential for application of many of the developments in the nanotechnology field in the area of construction engineering has been growing. The objective of this study is to review the role of nanotechnology in civil engineering applications. It also discusses the application of instruments to reach material properties of nano-scale. Furthermore, it has been observed that better understanding and engineering of complex structures made by cement, steel or composite materials at nano-level will definitely result in a new generation of construction materials with higher performance in strength, durability, and other properties. Keywords - Nanotechnology; Nano-material; Nano-level; Nano-science; Construction