I'm doing research on Nanotechnology in Architecture for a possible dissertation topic.... Apart from what's available on the net I'm looking for possible CONTACTS, REFERENCES, LINKS, IDEAS, any INPUT to help me out...Thanks
There is a type of transluscent insulation made with nanotechnology called aerogel. There is a manufacturer that makes composite window/cladding panels with it, but I forget the name.
A friend of mine who was a nanodesigner at Stanford designed this teeny little doo-dad that, once injected into a vein, could not only detect a virus in the bloodstream, but could also deliver an antiviral agent on the spot. This is real Fantastic Voyage kind of stuff.
not to sidetrack what could be an interesting thread but how many dissertations are you writing laistm? this is the second thread that you have started directly referencing a possible dissertation and the third thread looks a lot like this one in how you are asking the question at hand. and not to be boorish but if you are in the process of or about to start writing a dissertation i would expect that you know where to search for a lot of that info. Though ill admit that more input is always a good thing and there are some very sharp people in here who might be able to point you in a different direction you might not be able to uncover otherwise.
i did see something recently about a LEP (light emiting polymer) that are used on the surface of lcd screens, its used to increase the luminence of the screen and works in a similar way to an LED.
anyway the point was that a group at an australian uni were close to reversing the process. so that the plastic would convert light to electricity in a similar way to photovolcaics, but much cheaper, and being a film, flexible.
the idea was the you could apply this film to glass and use it on skyscrapers.
Nicoli... I've been researching two topics which i am interested in doing.
1) Adaptive Flexibility in dwelling Spaces (which has been listed on Archinect as "Flexibility of dwelling Spaces")
2) Nanotechnology in Architecture.
The reason i have two topics is that as a student i have to check and see which of the following is within my scope.
I'm primarily interested in researching the first topic, but the second is just a backup topic...
There was a book on the subject I read a while ago when I was looking into similar things, collaboration with Lebbeus Woods,.. come to think of it it was pretty dissapointing...
"when did the concept of Nanotechnology come up? any one know?"
Are you serious? Are you really considering doing a dissertation on this? A PhD dissertation? Are you in a PhD program? I'm not trying to shoot you down, but the PhD students that I know have been working on their area of study for a long time before they even begin a PhD, let alone a dissertation. Generally, they know what they want to do and they don't have a "back-up," or at least not a back-up that is a completely different topic.
Maybe you are talking about a thesis or a senior project or something, if so, ignore my last comments.
Either way, you are looking in the right place if you want quick tips on where to look, but definitely in the wrong place get much real, hard information on nanotechnology. If you are truly interested in this, start reading scientific journals and hanging out with people doing applied research in this area. Those people mentioned above, the ones holding their cards close to their chest, are very likely pretty tuned in on material science, nanotech, etc. You have to be as well, unless you're planning on writing a coffee-table survey of the application of nano-scale material tech to architecture (destined to clutter the shelves of used-book stores everywhere).
Many nano-engineered materials are already available to architects and builders, and are beginning to transform our buildings, what we can do in them, and what they can do for us. Looking further ahead, new nanotechnologies now in research and development will likely have a huge impact on building within the next twenty to fifty years. Carbon nanotubes, for example, could bring unprecedented strength and flexibility to our buildings, leading to new forms, new functions, and new relationship between people, building and environment. On the far horizon, the full impact of nanotechnology on our lives and our environment into the next century and beyond is almost unimaginable. Theromprotectant skins, invisible walls and self-replicating structures are all well within the realm of possibility; the social, ethical and environmental effects are equally unimaginable and yet real.
besides just nanotubes, i've heard of stuff like self restoring exterior finishes, waterproofing concrete which heals it's own cracks n stuff...is this real?
Sorry ... it is a novel by the science fiction writer Neal Stephenson. Although it is fiction, you should probably read it as it deals with issues of nanotechnology in urban space. The novel takes place in Hong Kong in the future, and also delves into issues of interactive design.
You should also read Alexander Galloway's Protocol. Galloway was a student of Michael Hardt's and Frederic Jameson's, and his book is about how the logic of decentralization in computer networks is really about control.
Books by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, Eugene Thacker, as well as Steven Berlin Johnson may be on point.
For issues of technology, you should ALWAYS begin with Martin Heidegger's "The Question Concerning Technology", as well as work by Thomas P. Hughes, David Nye, David Mindell, and Donald MacKenzie.
Nice references smoke. Second on Heidegger and Stephenson. Actually everyone should read Diamond age some time. I mean, its not exactly litterature, but a completely fun and interesting read anyway. Sadly probably your best bet for creative nanotech ideas.
so far, i think nanotechnology's turning out to be a pretty vas topic. What could the definition of the application of nanotechnology in architecture be?
in bruce mau's "massive change" exhibit they had samples of the above mentioned self healing material, and self cleaning glass... it's on tour, was in vancouver not sure where its at now...
there might be some of the sources for these materials in the massive change book...
"...in the presence of light and air the photocatalytic particles in the cement allow it to oxidize organic and inorganic air pollutants. The structure thus stays white and unaltered in time..."
urgh...
i only state that as although this is very interesting stuff. it isn't necessarily architectural in the traditional sense (i.e. the neil spillers and karl chus are just making up playful toys). not to downplay it the endeavor of nanotechnology, which i am extremely interested in. but you either need to approach from a materials engineering standpoint (developing new materials) or for an application standpoint (which is severely limited as there aren't that many materials that have actually been developed yet). although you should definitely look at the program L-systems that Karl chu uses. it is pretty interesting in its use of recursive mathematics to define complex geometries. it's named after a swiss botanist lindenmayer that developed it to computationally study the development of plants related to theories about fractal geometry
futureboy: I went through a couple of similar concepts - morphogenesis is one of them, but that relates to a stage in technology which would probably be 100 or 200 years in the future - where buildings could "grow" themselves out a bunch of nanobots and a whole pile of programmable material. However, nowadays, with nanotechnology in the commercial stream being rather in it's infancy, what would be the implications it would have on architecture in the coming 10 - 20 years...
I think this thing with self growing structures origine in programming where everyone can be amazed by recursive functions behaviour on a screen --- but the great gab in architecture, the dead-end , the huge challance is just there ; what is on the screen don't often reflect in real building methods or materials.
Wish those day's was over when the architect just throw a sketch , the exact same expertation , but where fact is that it all go down the drain when the visions are to be translated into the known technikes, leaving a lookalike instead of real innovation.
30 years ago nano promised wonders only very few surfaced. 30 years ago programming promised digital wonders but very few looked under the emporors clotches, and found just the trivial steel beams put together just as allway's . Acturly all these things are allready possible even better and offering full control, detail creativity, and even with 3D and Solid modeling, "growing" if you understand it , it's 3D-H and it is here, not 30 years out in the furture.
Implications of nanotechnology – I am an advocate for evolving technology beyond its current state, but encouraging social responsibility and moving slowly is an imperative step. We need to understand the implications before we leap – it reminds me of a saying that is well-known in the computing industry – don't jump on a "silver-bullet" bandwagon before the technology is proven and its been proven to be a bona fide solution. Understand the technology, test it, understand its risks and implement accordingly.
is it really? Looking at the speed at which technology is advancing and with over 200 products already used worldwide which uses nanotechnology i think it's just a matter of time before it becomes a big thing.
Nanotechnology in Architecture
I'm doing research on Nanotechnology in Architecture for a possible dissertation topic.... Apart from what's available on the net I'm looking for possible CONTACTS, REFERENCES, LINKS, IDEAS, any INPUT to help me out...Thanks
it's a relatively new topic n revolutionary concept in new age materials... anyone?
input: skip use of 'revolutionary' & 'new age' when talking to architects. it makes us turn into cynics/doubters immediately.
[anyone looking at nano in relation to arch right now is prob keeping their cards close to their chest.]
hmm...you're probably right
There is a type of transluscent insulation made with nanotechnology called aerogel. There is a manufacturer that makes composite window/cladding panels with it, but I forget the name.
i heard that nanotechnology might allow column sizes for a 20 storeyed building to shrink down to 1" by 1"....??
er- neil spiller?
forget nanotechnology foos- the next big thang is nanoBIOtechnology
welcome to the diamond age
very interesting...but before that time comes...how would nanotechnology help us?
A friend of mine who was a nanodesigner at Stanford designed this teeny little doo-dad that, once injected into a vein, could not only detect a virus in the bloodstream, but could also deliver an antiviral agent on the spot. This is real Fantastic Voyage kind of stuff.
Is this anything to do with PCM's? (Phase change materials) or am I way off the mark?
http://doityourself.com/wall/phasechangedrywall.htm
For background info, see Kurzweil.ai, and for a related idea see Programmable Matter.
not to sidetrack what could be an interesting thread but how many dissertations are you writing laistm? this is the second thread that you have started directly referencing a possible dissertation and the third thread looks a lot like this one in how you are asking the question at hand. and not to be boorish but if you are in the process of or about to start writing a dissertation i would expect that you know where to search for a lot of that info. Though ill admit that more input is always a good thing and there are some very sharp people in here who might be able to point you in a different direction you might not be able to uncover otherwise.
have a look at new scientist technology blog.
http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/
i did see something recently about a LEP (light emiting polymer) that are used on the surface of lcd screens, its used to increase the luminence of the screen and works in a similar way to an LED.
anyway the point was that a group at an australian uni were close to reversing the process. so that the plastic would convert light to electricity in a similar way to photovolcaics, but much cheaper, and being a film, flexible.
the idea was the you could apply this film to glass and use it on skyscrapers.
Nicoli... I've been researching two topics which i am interested in doing.
1) Adaptive Flexibility in dwelling Spaces (which has been listed on Archinect as "Flexibility of dwelling Spaces")
2) Nanotechnology in Architecture.
The reason i have two topics is that as a student i have to check and see which of the following is within my scope.
I'm primarily interested in researching the first topic, but the second is just a backup topic...
may be of some help, mebbe not...
One of our studio profs at Ball State specializes in nanotechnology. George Elvin. Here is his blog and email below.
http://smallplans.blogspot.com/
you should consider doing some research into space architecture
has done quite a bit of research into nanoarchitecture including this paper, Cities in the Age of Nanotechnology and a piece in I.D.
There was a book on the subject I read a while ago when I was looking into similar things, collaboration with Lebbeus Woods,.. come to think of it it was pretty dissapointing...
when did the concept of Nanotechnology come up? any one know?
try BIOTHING:
http://www.biothing.org/
I'm not sure but it might be relevant..
"when did the concept of Nanotechnology come up? any one know?"
Are you serious? Are you really considering doing a dissertation on this? A PhD dissertation? Are you in a PhD program? I'm not trying to shoot you down, but the PhD students that I know have been working on their area of study for a long time before they even begin a PhD, let alone a dissertation. Generally, they know what they want to do and they don't have a "back-up," or at least not a back-up that is a completely different topic.
Maybe you are talking about a thesis or a senior project or something, if so, ignore my last comments.
Either way, you are looking in the right place if you want quick tips on where to look, but definitely in the wrong place get much real, hard information on nanotechnology. If you are truly interested in this, start reading scientific journals and hanging out with people doing applied research in this area. Those people mentioned above, the ones holding their cards close to their chest, are very likely pretty tuned in on material science, nanotech, etc. You have to be as well, unless you're planning on writing a coffee-table survey of the application of nano-scale material tech to architecture (destined to clutter the shelves of used-book stores everywhere).
Karl Chu, et al.
Many nano-engineered materials are already available to architects and builders, and are beginning to transform our buildings, what we can do in them, and what they can do for us. Looking further ahead, new nanotechnologies now in research and development will likely have a huge impact on building within the next twenty to fifty years. Carbon nanotubes, for example, could bring unprecedented strength and flexibility to our buildings, leading to new forms, new functions, and new relationship between people, building and environment. On the far horizon, the full impact of nanotechnology on our lives and our environment into the next century and beyond is almost unimaginable. Theromprotectant skins, invisible walls and self-replicating structures are all well within the realm of possibility; the social, ethical and environmental effects are equally unimaginable and yet real.
besides just nanotubes, i've heard of stuff like self restoring exterior finishes, waterproofing concrete which heals it's own cracks n stuff...is this real?
Read Neal Stephenson's The DIamond Age
what is this book about?
Sorry ... it is a novel by the science fiction writer Neal Stephenson. Although it is fiction, you should probably read it as it deals with issues of nanotechnology in urban space. The novel takes place in Hong Kong in the future, and also delves into issues of interactive design.
You should also read Alexander Galloway's Protocol. Galloway was a student of Michael Hardt's and Frederic Jameson's, and his book is about how the logic of decentralization in computer networks is really about control.
Books by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, Eugene Thacker, as well as Steven Berlin Johnson may be on point.
For issues of technology, you should ALWAYS begin with Martin Heidegger's "The Question Concerning Technology", as well as work by Thomas P. Hughes, David Nye, David Mindell, and Donald MacKenzie.
And Friedrich Kittler, too, whose Grammophone, Film, Typewriter is simply astounding.
Nice references smoke. Second on Heidegger and Stephenson. Actually everyone should read Diamond age some time. I mean, its not exactly litterature, but a completely fun and interesting read anyway. Sadly probably your best bet for creative nanotech ideas.
* Off to pick up protocol... *
has just launched. How timely.
lucky break!...thanks a ton,
so far, i think nanotechnology's turning out to be a pretty vas topic. What could the definition of the application of nanotechnology in architecture be?
Anyone?
Apart from the references by smoke, i haven't come across any books as such which talks about this topic, even the basics.
it's already being used in self cleaning glass, with coating of titanium dioxide.
titanium dioxide is just one of the materials out there presently being used. There must be some other examples...or in the development stage?
in bruce mau's "massive change" exhibit they had samples of the above mentioned self healing material, and self cleaning glass... it's on tour, was in vancouver not sure where its at now...
there might be some of the sources for these materials in the massive change book...
thanks bRink.
will have a look...
As far as references go I guess you might already have come across this one?
Dives in Misericordia Church
4 questions on the DiM Church
"...in the presence of light and air the photocatalytic particles in the cement allow it to oxidize organic and inorganic air pollutants. The structure thus stays white and unaltered in time..."
hey i dint know that!..thanks! that's real funky!
that's real wierd, cuz i've read stuff on this church, but never came across this fact.
anyone got more detailed info on "Nanohouse"? Besides the website..
http://www.nano.uts.edu.au/about/australia.html
there's nano technology being implemented in to solar power
they have glass that repels water, making windshield wipers unnecessary
interesting stuff
urgh...
i only state that as although this is very interesting stuff. it isn't necessarily architectural in the traditional sense (i.e. the neil spillers and karl chus are just making up playful toys). not to downplay it the endeavor of nanotechnology, which i am extremely interested in. but you either need to approach from a materials engineering standpoint (developing new materials) or for an application standpoint (which is severely limited as there aren't that many materials that have actually been developed yet). although you should definitely look at the program L-systems that Karl chu uses. it is pretty interesting in its use of recursive mathematics to define complex geometries. it's named after a swiss botanist lindenmayer that developed it to computationally study the development of plants related to theories about fractal geometry
nanotechnology was coined in 1974, but initial concepts began around 1959...not soo new.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology
futureboy: I went through a couple of similar concepts - morphogenesis is one of them, but that relates to a stage in technology which would probably be 100 or 200 years in the future - where buildings could "grow" themselves out a bunch of nanobots and a whole pile of programmable material. However, nowadays, with nanotechnology in the commercial stream being rather in it's infancy, what would be the implications it would have on architecture in the coming 10 - 20 years...
I think this thing with self growing structures origine in programming where everyone can be amazed by recursive functions behaviour on a screen --- but the great gab in architecture, the dead-end , the huge challance is just there ; what is on the screen don't often reflect in real building methods or materials.
Wish those day's was over when the architect just throw a sketch , the exact same expertation , but where fact is that it all go down the drain when the visions are to be translated into the known technikes, leaving a lookalike instead of real innovation.
30 years ago nano promised wonders only very few surfaced. 30 years ago programming promised digital wonders but very few looked under the emporors clotches, and found just the trivial steel beams put together just as allway's . Acturly all these things are allready possible even better and offering full control, detail creativity, and even with 3D and Solid modeling, "growing" if you understand it , it's 3D-H and it is here, not 30 years out in the furture.
what really could be the implications of nanotechnology in the future of architecture?
Implications of nanotechnology – I am an advocate for evolving technology beyond its current state, but encouraging social responsibility and moving slowly is an imperative step. We need to understand the implications before we leap – it reminds me of a saying that is well-known in the computing industry – don't jump on a "silver-bullet" bandwagon before the technology is proven and its been proven to be a bona fide solution. Understand the technology, test it, understand its risks and implement accordingly.
the implication of nanotech in arch is really small buildings.
is it really? Looking at the speed at which technology is advancing and with over 200 products already used worldwide which uses nanotechnology i think it's just a matter of time before it becomes a big thing.
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