THE CORE ISSUE
In the quest to build permanent habitation for astronauts and perspective space tourists, the shipping of construction materials to the moon will be an expensive endeavour.
This can however be resolved efficiently, if the payload is substantially reduced with lightweight, high performance materials, that deliver exceptional functionality in low volume are replaced with conventional bulk material systems. Such materials need to provide both structural integrity while withstanding agents of degradation such as corrosion, rapidly fluctuating temperatures and ionising radiation.
To achieve this goal nanotechnology is the most feasible tool of which NANOARC's quantum-phase nanomaterials are an invaluable asset. These nanomaterials can be mixed with locally sourced lunar and Martian regolith materials, to fulfill the designated goals.
BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology takes construction material performance to levels beyond contemporary cement and concrete systems. The construction industry currently relies on silica fume for concrete performance improvement. Silica fume at its best has blaine values of about 200,000 cm2/g.
QuantCrete is developed using NANOARC's proprietary nanomaterial design and manufacturing process, to achieve much higher blaine values than silica fume, negating the need for any grinding processes. Our blaine values range from 359,300 to 703,000 cm2/g for the substantial enhancement of cement and concrete systems.
NANOARC's QuantCrete nano-admixtures are non-toxic and take construction material performance to the next level.
At such high blaine values, our nanoadditives are very reactive for accelerated curing, cementitious, porosity minimising, corrosion inhibiting and enable a seamless reduction in the carbonfootprint of both cement and concrete.
At a dose of just 2g of QuantCrete for every ton of concrete (4.8g per cubic meter or 0.14 oz. per cubic yard), a compressive and flexural strength increases of at least 20 - 43 % can be achieved.
PREVENTING STRUCTURAL FAILURE
Essentially, we tackle durability. The durability QuantCrete products confer to building materials, is designed to mitigate the high costs associated with maintenance and repairs.
Simply put, QuantCrete serves as a longterm cost-saving remedy ; The cost of reinforcement is a few extra hundred Pounds, Euros or dollars now, to spare you from hundreds of thousands to millions in maintenance costs in the future.
The key source of structural failure in construction material systems, comes from porosity. Pores cause cracks, structural failure and enable the penetration of corrosive and harmful agents and loss of breathable air in space.
Porosity is very important, in determining the strength of a material. In bone, increased porousity, is what causes bone fragility (osteoporosis). The same concept applies to ceramics, metals, etc.
Pores in concrete determine the strength and overall ability of the construction material to withstand mechanical strain caused by heat, shear forces or chemical degradation. Pores with a size of 2.5 to 20 nanometers (nm) (or 0.0025 to 0.02 microns) are considered harmless pores. Pores with a size of 20 - 50 nm (0.02 - 0.05 microns), are less harmful pores. Pores above 50 nm (0.05 microns), are harmful and compromise the longterm stability of a construction material like concrete.
it goes without saying, that to improve concrete resilience to agents of degradation, nanomaterials with a size range below 20 nm (0.02 microns), that deliver physiochemical functionality specific to the problem being tacked, are in fact a necessity. This sub 20 nm particle size range, corresponds to what nanotechnology classifies as quantum materials. Hence the term, Quantum Concrete, or QuantCrete.
CO2 MITIGATION
The Mars atmosphere currently consists of about 96% carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to approx. 0.04% (and rising) on earth. CO2 levels above 10% are lifethreatening for humans and lead to convulsions, coma and death. Building future human habitat while seeking to achieve and retain safe breathable levels of CO2 on Mars requires concious strategic assessment of every activity. Simply said, the atmosphere on Mars provides no room for error.
The cement industry on earth is responsible for high levels of CO2 emissions. For every 1000kg of cement produced, 900 kg of CO2 is emitted. The cement manufacturing process constitutes approximately 5% of all global industrial emissions. It is imperative that the same environmentally compromising habits of the construction industry are not transferred to the next habitat(s).
Contemporary cement poses an additional problem to the structural stability of concrete with steel-reinforced systems - carbonation.
To preserve the integrity of concrete, it is essential that its pH does not drop below 11. Carbonation is the reaction of CO2 in the environment with the calcium hydroxide in cement paste and lowers the pH to around 9. Under these circumstances, the protective oxide layer surrounding reinforcing steel breaks down and corrosion becomes possible.
Considering that CO2 absorption into concrete made with contemporary cement is a source of structural degradation, the minimised use of portland cement and a consideration of alternate material systems is a necessity.
This means construction system reinforcement products that can blend seamlessly with local planetary materials in small quantities will not only reduce the payload for construction material transportation but also, enable the construction of robust infrastructure on the moon, Mars, and other destinations to come.
It goes without saying, that in a high CO2 content atmosphere like Mars, the use of high levels of contemporary cement in building materials as is the case on earth, would not be a viable path forward, towards the establishment of stable interplanetary habitat infrastructure.
WHAT IS QUANTCRETETM ?
Quantum Concrete (QuantCreteTM) systems are atomically-architectured eco-friendly nanomaterials made with ultrahigh blaine (surface area), high-performance Quantum Materials. QuantCrete nanoadditives can be used in cement replacement endeavours as well as property enhancement of both cement and concrete systems.
When QuantCrete products are added in very small amounts typically within construction material systems, they confer both structural integrity and superior functionality, with less cement. QuantCrete systems enable the final construct to withstand agents of degradation such as shear forces, corrosion, chemical attack temperature fluctuations and ionising radiation.
The construction industry currently relies on silica fume for concrete performance improvement. Silica fume typically has blaine values of 15,000 - 30,000 cm2/g. QuantCrete blaine values range from 359,300 to 703,000 cm2/g for the substantial enhancement of cement and concrete systems. At such high blaine values, our nanoadditives are very reactive for accelerated curing, cementitious, porosity minimising, corrosion inhibiting and enable a seamless reduction in the carbon footprint of both cement and concrete.
RADIATION ATTENUATION
Scientific studies unanimously show, that radiation shielding with nanoparticles is much more effective than with micro-particles. As the nanoparticle size decreases, the radiation shielding capacity increases. When such nanoparticles are infused in a grout prior to coating on a surface, only a thin layer is sufficient to shield thermal neutrons.
Pores in construction materials (e.g. cement and concrete) without nanoparticles create decrease the mechanical strength, density, as well as the ability of cement/concrete to attenuate radiation. When the pores in cement/concrete are filled with QuantCrete, the mechanical strength, density and radiation attenuation capacity of the cement/concrete system increases substantially. With the cement/concrete mixture performance maximized by virtue of such radiation-attenuating nanoparticles (< 20 nm), it performs achieves enhanced radiation shielding goal simultaneously with a higher heat and embrittlement resistance.
PRODUCTS
Click on "BUY" next to the product(s) of interest to pay with a credit card or contact trade@nanoarc.org to request an invoice for payment via bank transfer.
USAGE : Add the QuantCrete nanoadditive powder to the fine materials/cement, then add to the concrete mix or 3D printing composite mixture in the dry phase, mix/stir thoroughly prior to hydration, then proceed as usual.
SUBSCRIPTION MODEL : GET DISCOUNTS & FREE SHIPPING OFF ADVANCE PURCHASES ON SELECT PRODUCTS below bulk order volumes
QUARTERLY ( 3 % ) | BI-ANNUALLY ( 5 % ) | ANNUALLY ( 10 % )
FIRST PURCHASE DISCOUNT CODE - ZNEQFFTN
MECHANICAL REINFORCEMENT & CORROSION RESISTANCE
QUANTCRETETM FILLER
APPLICATIONS : Compressive Strength reinforcement, improve workability, UV filtering, Antibacterial, Antifouling, Anticorrosion (resistance to chloride attack), Reduced Alkali Reactivity, Water Repellant, Lower Air permeability, Whitener/colour additive, Halogen-Free Flame Retardant.
Helps in the consolidation of unsound formations, repairing casing leaks in squeeze operations, particularly “tight” leaks that are inaccessible to microfine and conventional cement slurries due to their larger particle size and limited penetrability.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : ~ 5 nm (0.005 μm) spherical particles
BLAINE/ SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA : 415300 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 35 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.0013 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.0013 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 5.8g (~ 0.16 oz. per cubic yard)
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00024 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 18 - 22 %
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
POSSIBLE CEMENT REDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : approx. 11 %
CO2 DEDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : approx. 237,60 kg (equivalent of ~ 0.24 carbon offset credits)
1 carbon credit = 1 tonne of CO2
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 24,750
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 49,500
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 94,050
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM FLEX
APPLICATIONS : Compressive & Flexural/Tensile Strength reinforcement, improve workability, UV filtering, Antibacterial, Antifouling, Anticorrosion (enhanced resistance to chloride attack), Reduced Alkali Reactivity, Water Repellant, Lower Air permeability, Whitener/colour additive, Halogen-Free Flame Retardant.
Helps in the consolidation of unsound formations, repairing casing leaks in squeeze operations, particularly “tight” leaks that are inaccessible to QuantCrete Filler, QuantCrete CURE, microfine and conventional cement slurries due to their larger particle size and limited penetrability.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : Atomically Thin 2D sheets ( < 1 nm)
BLAINE : 635200 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 50 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.001 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.001 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 4.8g (~ 0.14 oz. per cubic yard)
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00022 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 20 - 43 %
AVERAGE FLEXURAL STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 12 - 40 %
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
POSSIBLE CEMENT REDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE): approx. 17 %
CO2 DEDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : approx. 367,20 kg (equivalent of ~ 0.37 carbon offset credits)
1 carbon credit = 1 tonne of CO2
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 29,000
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 58,000
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 110,200
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM CURE
APPLICATIONS : Nano-cementitious system to accelerate the setting rate of concrete and offset the negative impact of fly ash and GGBFS on the early-age properties of concrete. Improved workability, Nano-Filler, Compressive Strength reinforcement of concrete mortar and cement paste, Whitener/colour additive, Halogen-Free Flame Retardant.
Helps in the consolidation of unsound formations, repairing casing leaks in squeeze operations, particularly “tight” leaks that are inaccessible to microfine and conventional cement slurries due to their larger particle size and limited penetrability.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : <25 nm (0.025 μm) hollow semi-spherical nanoparticles
BLAINE : 388000 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 15 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.0018 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.0018 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 7.2g ( 0.2 oz. per cubic yard)
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.0003 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 16 - 20 %
POSSIBLE CEMENT REDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : approx. 10 %
CO2 DEDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : approx. 216 kg (equivalent of ~ 0.22 carbon offset credits)
1 carbon credit = 1 tonne of CO2
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 35,000
1 kg (2.2 lb) | £ 70,000
10 kg (22.04 lb) | £ 664,810
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM CURE PLUS
APPLICATIONS : Helps reduce concrete cure/setting time by working as an accelerator or early stage activator of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS or GGBFS) and enhance concrete strength gain. Expansive agent to reduce autogenous-shrinkage, Increase Compressive & Tensile Strength, Corrosion Inhibitor (Mitigate sulphate attack) & pH Elevator, Mold and Mildew Resistance, Low Air Permeability, Abrasion Resistance, Antistatic Agent, Halogen-Free Flame Retardant.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
BLAINE : 359300 cm²/g
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 12 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.002 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN (NON-SHRINKING) GROUT : 0.002 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 7.6g ( 0.22 oz. per cubic yard)
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN***: approx. 14 - 17 %
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 20,250
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 40,450
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 76,855
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM MARINE
APPLICATIONS : Mechanical reinforcement of lightweight Concrete, repair of perforations, filler, impact resistance, antimicrobial, biocompatible, non-toxic flame retardant, corrosion inhibitor.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : Atomically Thin 2D sheets
BLAINE : 703000 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT : 0.001 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 2.88g (~ 0.08 oz. per cubic yard)
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 35,000
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 69,990
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 132,981
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM PROTECT
APPLICATIONS : Abrasion resistance, nano-pore filler, increased compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength, water resistance, insulating material, fire retardant.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSE IN CONCRETE : As Needed
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 31,500
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 63,000
10 kg (22.04 lb) | £ 598,310
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM EARTH
APPLICATIONS : In Adobe, Rammed-Earth and Road Construction, this system serves as an environmentally-friendly soil, cement & concrete nanoadditive to mitigate sulphate attack. It increases the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value of the treated sublayer soil in particular, acid sulphate soils. It minimises the swelling ratio of soil and initiates essential chemical reactions creating compounds that form strong bonding forces between soil particles, hence reducing soil porosity which consequently improves its engineering properties and durability.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
BLAINE : 359300 cm²/g
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN SOIL : 5g (0.18 oz.) per tonne of soft sublayer soil
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 7.6g (~ 0.22 oz. per cubic yard)
WT % (per tonne of soil) : 0.0003 %
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00016 %
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 20,250
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 40,450
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 76,855
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETE RADIATION SHIELDING SYSTEMS
QUANTCRETETM THERM
APPLICATIONS : High thermal mass material for concrete insulation, High density concrete is efficient in heat retention than standard concrete. This enables it to be used retard hold in solar heat from exteriors (hot climate) or retard solar heat loss from interiors (temperate and cold climates) or as a high emissivity coating to release heat to the environment, when surrounding temperatures drop.
Gamma ray shielding, Flexural aggregate in high density concrete for radiation shielding in nuclear power plants, X-ray facilities and uranium mining sites. Colour additive, Halogen-Free Flame Retardant.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : Atomically Thin 2D sheets
BLAINE : 495500 cm²/g
COLOUR : Black/Blackish-Brown Nanopowder
EMISSIVITY (PERFECT EMISSIVITY = 1 ) : 0.969 to 0.973
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 4.32g (~ 0.16 oz. per cubic yard) or AS NEEDED
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00018 %
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 34,000
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 67,990
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 129,181
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM NEUTRON
APPLICATIONS : Nano-Pore Filler, Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant, Neutron attenuator in high density concrete for nuclear power plants & X-ray facilities.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : < 20 nm Nanoparticles (0.02 μm)
COLOUR : White/Beige Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSE IN (MICRO)CEMENT/SURFACE COATING : 0.001 wt % or as needed for the nature of radiation exposure
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.001 - 1 wt %
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
50 grams (1.76 oz.) | £ 50,000
100 grams (3.52 oz.) | £ 99,990
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 249,950
BULK ORDER RATES : From 1 kg (2.2 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
QUANTCRETETM SUBSEAL
APPLICATIONS : Porosity minimisation to substantially Lower Air permeability and the probability of Radon penetration in foundation structures, basements and building floor levels in direct contact with the soil. Compressive Strength reinforcement in concrete, Improved workability, Corrosion-resistance, Reduced Alkaline Reactivity, Water Repellant.
Helps in the consolidation of unsound formations, repairing casing leaks in squeeze operations, particularly “tight” leaks that are inaccessible to microfine and conventional cement slurries due to their larger particle size and limited penetrability.
TECHNICAL DATA & DOSAGE
NANOARCHITECTURE : < 10 nm ( < 0.01 μm) spherical particles
BLAINE : 415000 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 50 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.002 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.002 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 4.8g (~ 0.17 oz. per cubic yard)
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.0002 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN** : approx. 28 - 34 %
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
VIEW PRICING
QUANTITY | PRICE
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 24,750
500 grams (17.63 oz.) | £ 49,450
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 93,955
BULK ORDER RATES : From 100 kg (220.5 lb) | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
UNDERSTANDING RADON:
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive, odourless, colourless, tasteless noble gas. Rn is a contaminant, that affects indoor air quality. According to EPA policy-oriented estimates, Rn is the number one cause of lung cancer, among non-smokers.
Rn enters a building most often directly through the soil at the lowest level of the construct that is in contact with the ground. This typical occurs through cracks in solid foundations and walls, construction joints, gaps in suspended floors, cavities within walls and around service pipes.
HOW TO USE QUANTCRETE IN RADON MITIGATION/MINIMISATION EFFORTS
To minimise the penetration of Rn into buildings, QuantCrete is hence offered to substantially lower porosity, air permeability and mitigate of crack formation in concrete and mortar. QuantCrete particles are roughly a hundred thousand times (100,000 x) smaller than cement particles, and can penetrate deeper levels within cracks to seal them off from within.
To achieve this, the QuantCrete nanopowder can be used as an integral ingredient in the manufacture of precast slabs and foundation concrete or, mixed with a liquid cement and injected within particularly hard to visualise and detect sub-micron and nanoscopic pores, cracks & cavities that cement particles can not reach or penetrate, in order to create a denser seal, that minimises the likelihood of Rn gas infiltrating the building, via its ground level and sub-terrain/basement walls.
This nanotechnology-based approach offers a durable, sustainable, long term mitigation effort, to prevent Rn gas from entering the building through the underlying soil.