Nanomaterials for Civil and Environmental Applications

This course will introduce students to the field of nanotechnology with a special emphasis on nanomaterials synthesis, characterizations and their applications in civil and environmental engineering. The specific applications will include, but not limited to, tailoring mechanical property, durability, self-cleaning, self-sealing, self-sensing, energy harvesting and other multi-functionality. It integrates the fields of materials science, civil engineering and electrical engineering. The basic concepts will be discussed including nano-scale effect, process-structure-property relationship, nano- and micro-structure property characterizations, multi-functional materials, nano-device fabrication and their applications for energy harvesting, water infiltrations and environmental sensing. lab will be provided to students enrolled in the course to learn nano and micro-structure characterizations skills.

Week 1:

• Nanomaterials in Civil Application
• Concrete Mechanical Property
• Nanomaterials for Improvement of Microstructure and Mechanical Performance
• Brittle Strengthening Mechanism

Week 2:

• Concrete Durability
• Corrosion, FT and Scaling
• Sulfate Attack and ASR

Week 3:

• Nanomaterials for Self-Healing Concrete
• Nanomaterials for Self-Cleaning Concrete
• Photocatalysis
• Thermal Energy Harvesting

Week 4:

• Introduction to NDT Methods
• Nanomaterials for Early Age Strength Sensing
• Nanomaterials for Self-Sensing Concrete
• Nanomaterials for Internal Curing

Week 5:

• Nanotechnology for Environmental Applications Overview
• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Air Pollution Control
• Soil Remediation