Uses of Nanotechnology - Model of Graphene Structure
Image: CORE-Materials | Flickr

Of course, nanotechnology uses are aiming to be diverse and multifaceted in that new materials are emerging with different property characteristics than we are used to working with, or better yet experiencing. As we delve deeper into the uses of nanotechnology, we should begin to ask ourselves what can we do with this technology, at this nano scale, that we could not do before to solve many of the critical problems that we as a people face today.

So, to begin with that exploration, I will further explain to you through this article some key uses of nanotechnology that will affect the design and use of our architectural built environments and those people who inhabit them.

Graphene: Redefining the Way We Think and Use Surface

A material that acts like a piece of paper in many ways, but one that brings with it so many new and exciting possibilities — this is what we call graphene. Graphene, as the Nobel winner Andre Geim explains in an article by Tim Carmody in Wired, “is stronger and stiffer than diamond, yet can be stretched by a quarter of its length, like rubber. Its surface area is the largest known for its weight.” (1) Needless to say, graphene holds tremendous promise for the future on so many levels.

Here are some of the qualities that make graphene such an important nanomaterial:

“To make graphene paper, raw graphite is milled and purified using a chemical bath, which reshapes its structure, allowing it to be pressed into thin sheets. These graphene sheets boast excellent thermal, electrical and mechanical properties – including excellent hardness and flexibility.” (2) — Inhabitat

But how might graphene help architectural design?

Graphene will no doubt have a multitude of impacts upon the built environment — and significant among those will be on the evolution of “surface”. To give you some straightforward visions of future graphene applications, take a look at the following video where you will immediately see the jump between some of the most popular surfaces we use today, and those surfaces with which we will be able to manipulate and engage in the not-too-distant future.

Keep in mind that the video below focuses on graphene possibilities in terms of digital interface displays, but notice what the displays are capable of doing that they could not do before, and what a difference it would make if similar limitations were lifted from architectural design.

I show you the last video to get you thinking about how powerful changing the properties of our surface materials can be. As you can see, one of the uses of nanotechnology will no doubt allow for thinner surfaces, electrical conduction, great strength and superb flexibility, where that flexibility is at times even foldable.

Just imagine a fluid “fabric-based” adaptable architecture where its “nervous system” is embedded in its skin — which would be both lightweight and foldable. Additionaly, occupants could engage with its interface just about anywhere (handy if it flexes, molds and bends), and it could provide great protection as its strength makes it more durable and agile. Of course, this vision is in the future, but it is important to guide such nanomaterials into design directions which could do the most good.

Within architecture, the notion of surface will continue to evolve into the notion of “skin”. In this light, you as an architect should not hesitate to think in multisensory dimensions in order to allow for the sophistication and beauty which such and nanotechnologically-based skin could exude.

Building design skins, both interior and exterior, will be in less need of repair, will likely be antibacterial, and will likely allow for a more personalized experience for the occupant observing or using it. Such a skin could be used for responsive design solutions where architectural skins could “wear more hats” — performing a wider variety of functions within a smaller amount of space and time.

Needless to say, I can see graphene embedded in a variety of places within occupant environments, and it is up to you as the architect to realize the potential of what such a material can do not only to help our planet but also to help those occupants which you serve live better lives. I know I will be on the lookout for future graphene developments.

Citations:

(1) Carmody, Tim. Why Graphene Won Scientists the Nobel Prize. Wired. October 5, 2010.

(2) Zimmer, Lori. New Graphene Super Paper is 10x Stronger Than Steel. Inhabitat. April 20, 2010.

Please Tell Me What You Think

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© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: treehouse1977 | Flickr

Within architectural design, the notion of “building surface” and “building skin” are increasing in importance and are, thus, becoming elements which you as an architect can leverage to bring greater sensitivity to your built environments.

In fact, research is underway to develop new electric skins that are so pressure sensitive to touch that they are actually rivaling, and surpassing, human skin’s sensitivity to touch. And by using such pressure-sensitive electric skin in architecture, more meaningful ways for occupants to interact are likely to arise, where building installations become increasingly in tune with not only occupants’ needs, but also with the dynamic fluctuations of the environment which surrounds the building. Hence, building skin could serve as a bridge, sensing the touch “frequencies” between both occupants and the surrounding environment.

What Can a Building Do with Skin Data?

As more sensitive skin and installations become part of a larger architectural dynamic system, it brings with it greater ability to sense even the most subtle fluctuations in the environment, like wind, water or debris. And how might a building benefit by increasing its level of sensitivity to pressure in this manner? Well, it would move toward being a dynamic system which reacts to more subtle cues by pulling from a smarter variety of reaction types that relate to specific locations in the building, where a “reaction” might be needed most.

In essence, the building would sense surrounding movements of change, and be able to respond more effectively and efficiently. Of course, syncronisation would be a big part of making such a design successful.

I do think that an innovative building skin, even in the smallest of installations, can bring great value to the way buildings function and serve their occupants — for it can be a breakthrough that brings greater sensitivity to the way buildings and their installations sense.

In the following video, you will see examples of how researchers are developing such pressure sensitive electric skins, with visual examples of how they work.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter and Facebook followers by clicking on the “re-tweet” and “like” button at the beginning of this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Individual atoms in a 90 nanometer scoop of Nitinol.
Image: jurvetson | Flickr

Why does inspiration strike when thinking about building design in terms of a convergent assembly of elements? Well, here is an explanation about just what a “convergent assembly” means for manufacturing at the molecular level.

Todays manufacturing methods are very crude at the molecular level. [...] One robotic arm assembling molecular parts is going to take a long time to assemble anything large — so we need lots of robotic arms: this is what we mean by massive parallelism. While earlier proposals achieved massive parallelism through self replication, today’s “best guess” is that future molecular manufacturing systems will use some form of convergent assembly. In this process vast numbers of small parts are assembled by vast numbers of small robotic arms into larger parts, those larger parts are assembled by larger robotic arms into still larger parts, and so forth. If the size of the parts doubles at each iteration, we can go from one nanometer parts (a few atoms in size) to one meter parts (almost as big as a person) in only 30 steps.

- zyvex.com, Introduction to the Core Concepts of Molecular Nanotechnology

The Future of Scalability in Architecture

As if to build upward from some sort of DNA structure, building an assembly of parts at smaller scales then fitting that assembly within a larger assembly give should give you “food for thought”.

What if, as an architect, you could design a sort of “DNA seed” from which your buildings would grow, not only as they are built, but also as they age over time? Could your initial design “seed” create a better outcome for your building during it’s use — especially in its later years? Well, this “seed” approach definitely calls for designing a building system with a different design mindset — a sort of “genetic” approach to design execution.

In other words, your notion of “scalability” would directly impact your final product, which would be more of a real-time rule-based system. It would be an architecture that appears to grow. Certainly different from the architecture we see today.

I challenge you to think of your building’s system in a slightly different way. In the future, it will be more than just a system made up of parts that come together at scales that you can easily “see” in one glimpse, but as a system with the power to mold itself into an almost infinite array of possibilities — but where your design vision sets its inherent order. Hence, I am speaking of a more adaptive building system approach.

But still, today we typically build a “what you see, is what you get” architecture. Instead, I see that we are at the advent of having more “genetic” building systems.

Building and assembling at the molecular level certainly brings with it some challenges, especially as the iterative process of scaling the manufacturing process upward needs to be resolved. Similarly, architects must work to design their building system from extreme detail to the scale that encompasses global and cultural concerns.

Nevertheless, your building sits upon your design ideas as it reacts to its own surrounding environment. Your design vision and execution becomes your building’s fingerprint from which it adapts, behaves and stands strong.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Nanoparticles with different thicknesses and light effects.
Image: Argonne National Laboratory | Flickr

What if you could bring entirely new sensations within the spaces that you build, to better meet the needs of both your client and building occupants? Just imagine a museum with white light that seems whiter than white that also seems to be emitting from nowhere. Or, what about hearing changes in temperature?

Well, both of these examples are becoming a reality due to progress involving nanomaterials. (You can read about how the two previous examples work in the article published here.)

New design possibilities are expanding and there will be new ways to add to the integrity of your architectural masterpieces. It seems only fitting that we, as architects, use such nanomaterials to enhance not only the function of our buildings, but to make them even more uniquely beautiful for the 21st century.

Will Unexpected Architectural Sensations Be A Good Thing?

By mixing up what your occupants expect or rely upon building materials and assemblies to do, your architecture will gain an entire new array of functions and behaviors with which to uplift the way your occupants live, work and play. Often, architectural spaces today feel so static as occupants struggle daily to adapt themselves to a building. Shouldn’t it also be the other way around?

The flexibility and new behaviors that nonmaterials bring will add new variety and more choices which you, as an architect, must contend with. The key is to know how to use them — to be able to create state-of-the-art spaces that go beyond mere occupant distraction and annoying agitation to really elevate human lifestyle in a humane manner.

I challenge you to design for a symbiotic relationship between your architecture and your occupants. I think if you, as an architect, can get this relationship right while integrating new technologies and materials with the traditional qualities you hold dear, there will open up a plethora of new options for you to find those functional, beautiful and meaningful architectural moments.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Visualization of a hand in motion during a conversation
Image: jeanbaptisteparis | Flickr

Motion sensors are already all around us, they exist in certain appliances, mobile phones and even within your car — but what if nanotechnology and the miniaturization of these sensors down to the nano scale could have profound impact on the buildings in which we live?

With nanotechnology, development is in the works to make sensors 100 times more sensitive than sensors we have today. Here is a quote explaining this remarkable feat:

“Able to “feel” and sense the movement of individual atoms, the researchers’ new MEMS sensing device uses small carbon tubes, nano in size — about one-billionth of a meter long. Creating these tiny tubes using a process involving methane gas and a furnace, Prof. Hanein has developed a method whereby they arrange themselves on a surface of a silicon chip to accurately sense tiny movements and changes in gravity.”

- from phsorg.com, A More Sensitive Senor Using Nano-sized Carbon Tubes

The question now becomes, how can you as an architect make use of such significant advances in order to improve and uplift the lives of your occupant? And yes, I do believe that uplifting the lives of your occupants should be a primary focus for your work as an architect. Nevertheless, it is time to think outside of the box.

Where Would You Embed a Nano Motion Sensor?

Since MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) will be not only more sensitive, but also a lot smaller, your designs can make use of their ability to sense very slight motion. For instance, with architectural kinetic installations, perhaps your components which are in motion could respond to an array of different triggers — like the way someone walks up the stairs, into a room, or even the way someone sits and repositions themselves in a chair. Thus, an entire architectural space could respond to such slight human behaviors.

Very slight motion could revolutionize architecture, as its elements would be able to react more sensitively to a multitude of variables like wind, earth activity, water, fire, weathering and more subtle occupant behaviors. With nano sized motion sensors an architectural design could go from a more reactive state to an almost predictive state; where when time is of the essence, buildings could be safer. Hospitals, for instance, could treat their patients more effectively.

But that’s not all.

Perhaps offices could be better ergonomically designed as slight movements in the way an employee works at their desk or talks on the phone could prompt certain office components and new materials to foster a happier, healthier, more effective and productive working lifestyle. Similarly, nano motion sensors could detect the activity on a teacher’s and/or student’s desk to then actuate certain designed elements within a classroom to facilitate better teaching and learning.

I challenge you, as an architect, to think beyond the scope of where technology is today — to take into account even the slightest variations of your occupant’s behaviors, because it is in those details that you will often be able to more truly optimize your design vision.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: Nanotube | Ynse | Dreamstime

We live in an age where scientific progress continues to transform human lifestyle. This is evermore true when it comes to the progress being made in the field of nanotechnology. This science stands to change and advance the practice of design in a multitude of ways – where architectural progress is being made at the molecular level.

The paper NanoBioBuilding: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and the Future of Building by Dr. George Elvin states that “architects and other designers will become increasingly ignorant of the composition and consequences of the materials they use.” He explains that some designers are familiar with “self-cleaning windows” and “smog-eating concrete”, but only a handful of designers could state that titanium dioxide nanoparticles are responsible for these behavioral materials.(1) This is why it is so important for designers to keep informed of scientific developments.

A design area that will be influenced by nanotechnology is the smart environment. Here, tiny embedded nanosensors will make architectural features responsive. Communication will occur between object and object, between occupant and object, between object and environment and between occupant and environment. As new materials gain more transient properties, objects and architectural features will impact the process of design by making “fields of interaction” a major focus.(1)

By working on “fields of interaction” architecture professionals will have some framework by which to design for dynamic environments. Since smart architecture will be changing states and communicating heavily, architects will likely focus on relationships as much as they focus on designed forms during the design stage.(1) It is likely that both forms and their relationships will make up rule-based systems by which smart architectural spaces can function.

The science of nanotechnology continues to progress and the design field stands to benefit. As nanotechnology develops, new architectural techniques will surface. It is my belief that design creativity will reach new heights as innovative nanomaterials and nanosensors come together to give designers a renewed palette.

(1) Elvin, Dr. George. NanoBioBuilding: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and the Future of Building. Green Technology Forum. 2006

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Image: Carbon Nanotube | ghutchis | Flickr

NANOTECHNOLOGY IS HERE…

Nanotechnology will have profound effects on the way we live. Already, developments are underway for newfound uses. For the architecture profession, nanotechnology will greatly impact construction materials and their properties. Materials will behave in many different ways as we are able to more precisely control their properties at the nano-scale.

WHY CARBON NANOTUBES?

Carbon nanotubes are a great example of how useful materials are being developed. This material is said to be one hundred times stronger than steel because of its “molecular perfection” as explained in the paper Year 2050: Cities in the Age of Nanotechnology by Peter Yeadon. In addition, because carbon atoms can bond with other matter; such material can be an “insulator, semi-conductor or conductor of electricity”. As a result, carbon nanotubes will have significant influence on the architecture industry as such materials can act as “a switchable conduit, a light source, a generator of energy and even a conveyor of matter”. (1)

Image: Aligned Carbon Nanotube | CORE-Materials | Flickr

IMPACTING BOTH DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

As materials gain such transient features, architectural design and construction will evolve. By transforming the essential properties of matter, nanotechnology will be able to change the way we build. For instance, structures will be constructed from the bottom-up because materials like carbon nanotubes can self-assemble. (1)

Nanotechnology will profoundly affect the industry of architecture at all scales; and, interior design, building design and city design will all benefit. Architecture will have the ability to function at more optimum levels – revolutionizing the way inhabitants live.

NANO-ARCHITECTURE UNLEASHED

Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance is a great book that explains how nanotechnology will impact environments. For example, nanotechnology will give architecture superior interactive functions — allowing occupants to better “communicate” with their surroundings. Windows and walls with variable transparency and mood/context sensitive clothing are just a few ways this will become possible.(2)

As new materials and construction methods emerge, “nano-architecture” will definitely unleash the designer’s imagination. For this reason, Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance is worth reading.

Here is the link: Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance

(1) Yeadon, Peter. Year 2050: Cities in the Age of Nanotechnology
(2) Crandall, BC. Nanotechnology: Molecular Speculations on Global Abundance. MIT Press. 2000.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman