In this segment of our Global Trends video series, our experts discuss key areas where materials science is impacting the development and innovation of Future Cities.

Nanomaterials are going to play an increasing role in our cities in the future –
but how and why?

When we take materials down to the nanoscale, they start to exhibit unique physical and electronic properties that can be leveraged within a product or application which is the foundation of creating innovation using nanomaterials. Our entire infrastructure is materials based, which creates a unique opportunity for nanomaterials, and more broadly materials science, to advance innovation in the smart city and future city space.

The “future” is now; nanomaterials are already being integrated all around us. As adoption increases, nanotechnology will have significant impacts on maintenance costs, lifespan of infrastructure assets, energy savings, and the environment.

Highlights

  • The role of nanomaterials in future cities – Think: lighter, stronger concrete, self-healing cladding for buildings, insulation, and one of the biggest in terms of dollars, corrosion inhibition.
  • Nanomaterials for Innovation – When it comes to developing and innovating cities, the question is what materials and where. Inorganic nanomaterials like metals, metal oxides, and ceramics meet the high volume, low-cost requirements for physical infrastructure.
  • Nanomaterials in Building and Construction Materials – Nanomaterials can be used to improve performance of ubiquitous city materials like cement, steel, and glass.
  • A lot of use cases are either in the market or moving into the market.
  • Nano coatings, and coatings in general, are a pervasive technology across just about all physical infrastructure that is out there – whether it’s your home, building, or a city.
  • There is no one size fits all solution to leveraging nanomaterials for an application.
About the Global Trends in Nanomaterials Series

The Global Trends video series features conversations with Cerion Nanomaterials CEO, Landon Mertz, and Chemistry and Nanotechnology Subject Matter Expert, Liam Critchley as they discuss key areas where materials science is impacting development and innovation on a global scale.

About 10 years ago, the Royal Society of Chemistry published a relatively comprehensive document called the “Roadmap for the Future” that highlighted the tremendous population pressures society will experience over the next 50 years. And this will have a variety of impacts on our daily lives – everything from the food supply, health, water and air, and the environments we live in.

The assessment and report findings have remained spot on over the past decade, and it is evident that the report’s conclusion that nanomaterials, and broadly materials science, will play a key role in addressing these challenges. This video series discusses these topics through the present-day lens and the continued and increased role of nanomaterials in society.