Nanomaterials in civil engineering

Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) with unique physical and chemical properties have attracted a great deal of attention as key materials to underpin future scientific and technological advancements. Applications of MNMs can also provide breakthroughs in the construction industry by reinforcing mechanical properties, decreasing vulnerability to chemical corrosion and accidental damage, and providing supplementary functions such as anti-biofouling and hydrophilicity. With the enhancement of material performance and functionality, use of MNMs enables (partial) nonutility generation, low carbon emission, and self-assessment of structural health to increase the sustainability of buildings and infrastructures. On the other hand, recent research into the safety of MNMs has raised concerns about their adverse biological and environmental effects. There is a high probability that MNMs used in construction will have hazardous effects on human and ecological receptors, considering that MNMs incorporated into construction materials would be released via multiple exposure routes during their entire lifecycle (manufacturing, construction, demolition, and recycling/disposal). Consequently, to responsibly utilize the potential benefits of nanotechnology in construction, multidisciplinary efforts are required to develop proactive strategies to mitigate the environmental release of MNMs and guidelines to manage their environmental risks throughout construction-related activities.