Coms 1010 Unit 1 Assignment

Module
Communication Skills
Code
COMS 1010
Assignment 1
Portfolio – Writing an Academic Paper

ID Number

Programme of Study
B Eng (Hons) Civil Engineering; Year 1 (E 310)
Tutor

Submission Date
Thursday 11 October 2012

Title of Academic Paper
Construction Materials of The Future : Opportunities Offered by New Construction Materials

Contents of Portfolio Page
Assignment …………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Part 1 Title of Academic Paper…………………………………………………….. 4
Part 2 Brainstorming Activity and Ideas Generated………………………………. 5
Part 3 Reading Activity with Relevant Reading Resources and Referencing…………………………………………………………………. 6 - 7
Part 4 Organisation of Ideas……………………………………………………….
The two main nano-sized particles that may be applied to construction materials in the future are titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Smith, 2012)
3.2.1 Nanotechnology and Glass
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a hydophilic particle (material that is attracted to water), is use to form a coating on any material that is left in the open prone to dust, organic compounds or any unwanted bacterial membranes. TiO2 first breaks down these substances, then as rain drops, the broken particles get washed off (Smith, 2012; Surinder, 2006). This property of glass incorporating self-cleaning can be very useful on buildings that are too dangerous for humans to climb and clean.
3.2.2 Nanotechnology and Fire Protection
Scientists are researching in nano-cement, a material which is coated on steel that is tough, durable and can withstand very high temperatures in case of fire. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) comes into the picture by mixing with cementious materials thus constructing fibre composites that posses some of the excellent properties of CNTs especially strength (Surinder,
Callister, W. D. 2007, ‘Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering’, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, USA, NY 10158-0012.

2. Flaga, K. 2000, ‘Advances in materials applied in civil engineering’, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 106 (2000), pp 173-183

3. Smith, M. ‘Nanotechnology in Construction. Building Technologies’, http://www.thenbs.com/topics/ConstructionProducts/articles/nanotechnologyInConstruction.asp [Accessed on 4 October 2012]

4. Surinder, M. 2006, ‘Nanotechnology and Construction’, http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=nanotech%20and%20construction%20nanoforum%20report.pdf&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nanoforum.org%2Fdateien%2Ftemp%2FNanotech%2520and%2520Construction%2520Nanoforum%2520report.pdf%3F09052012123958&ei=ygl1UKmvBpHqrQef4oBA&usg=AFQjCNHCIa9q6EAG8oyZIpgsb04HsDbBhw [Accessed on 4 October 2012]

5. Wadsworth, J. 2007, ‘Looking Beyond the Last 50 years: The Future of Material Science and Engineering’, JOM, February, pp