NAMI's Nano and Advanced Materials Symposium on Building Materials - Explore & Network in One Event

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 25, 2009 -
Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Ltd. (NAMI) successfully organized a nanotechnology and advanced materials forum on building materials with Hong Kong Trade Development Council on August 21, 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event was titled "Dare to Find New Ways - Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials for Buildings and Infrastructures in the 21st Century." The symposium attracted over 130 participants from academia, building and infrastructure industry, and government departments.

Professor KM Ng, the CEO of NAMI, delivered a welcoming address to the attendees, stating NAMI's commitment in facilitating the collaboration needed in the industry to develop "high-performance" building materials, working together towards more sustainable structural designs in the 21st Century.

The first speaker, Professor Zongjin Li, is the professor of Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He is also the chief scientist appointed by China's Ministry of Science and Technology on concrete development. Professor Li delivered a presentation on "New Development on Cement-Based Building Materials," introducing self-compacting concrete, ultra-high strength concrete, engineered cement composite, energy effective cement-based composites, and new binding materials such as magnesium phosphate cement. Besides, he also discussed the application of nano-science and multi-scale theroy in the cement-based building materials, deterioration mechanism of concrete, and development of ductile concrete.

Apart from concrete, the development of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have found many structural applications in construction. The most popular area for the application has been the strengthening and retrofit of deficient structures but the new construction area has also attracted increasing attention. Professor JG Teng, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Faculty of Construction and Land Use at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University presented the "Use of FRP Composites in New Construction: Opportunities and Challenges." He provided an overview of the opportunities for the use of FRP composites in new structures, with particular attention to the needs of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. He particularly examined a number of hybrid FRP-concrete structural systems that are highly attractive for use in bridges and other outdoor structures, for example, wind turbine towers. To sum up, Professor Teng discussed the key challenges facing the wide practical applications by these systems.

Last but not least, Ir. Alan HN Yau delivered a presentation on "Potential Applications of Advanced Materials in Building Construction." With the implementation of the Ten Mega Infrastructure projects, and increasing need to maintain, renovate, and alter aging building structures, demand and opportunities for advanced materials applications have proliferated. With improvements in physical and mechanical properties in these new materials, Mr. Yau talked about the potential solutions these materials could bring to industry challenges. He also suggested the industry and academia to work together to further the development and application of advanced materials.

Another highlight of the event was the focus groups and technology showcase session. Its objective was to encourage exchange of ideas and incubate project opportunities. With 10 booths set up by academia and companies from the building industry (including Aslan FRP, Bumatech, Huntsman, P&Ls' Building Material Co Ltd, Sika Hong Kong Ltd, Yau Sang Galvanizers), participants were able to explore the latest product development and R&D achievements while networking with industry professionals in a friendly setting.

NAMI isdedicated to collaborate with industries on nanotechnology and advanced materials development. Following the success of the building materials symposium, the next symposium will be held on September 28 on solar energy.