Lunar dust or regolith, the Moon's surface soil, is primarily composed of rock and mineral fragments, impact-generated glasses, and agglutinates, which are unique lunar dust particles. Lunar regolith, is primarily composed of silicate minerals, with significant amounts of oxygen, silicon, and iron.
The major components are Oxygen (41-45%), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), and Titanium (Ti).
DE FACTO RAPID CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to concrete hydration, finer particles (< 10 μm) play a significant role in the early stages of hydration and strength development of concrete while larger particles (10-30 μm) contribute more to later strength gains.
Lunar regolith encompasses a wide range of particle sizes, from ultrafine dust to large boulders, with most particles being less than 1 cm. Approximately 90% of lunar regolith however, consists of particles smaller than 10 μm. This very fine size of lunar regolith means no grinding is necessary and the regolith is easier to hydrate with the use of significantly less water than is required on earth for lunar concrete production.
Concrete hydration is crucial for setting and strength development. The Moon's semi-vacuum environment significantly impacts the hardening process of concrete because In a vacuum, concrete experiences rapid drying and water loss, which hinders its hydration. Vacuum exposure also reduces the strength of concrete and geopolymers.
Contemporary cement particles are large (10-20 μm) and require lots of water for hydration. Also, their volume usage is prohibitive for transportation to the moon as well as having the necessary dimensions to provide the low porosity concrete for critical durability and safety.
Porosity in lunar concrete will determine the strength and overall ability of the construction material to withstand mechanical strain caused by heat, shear forces, rapid thermal fluctuations and radiation damage.
Pores with a size of 2.5 to 20 nanometers (nm) (or 0.0025 to 0.02 microns) are vital to the longterm stability of lunar concrete to ensure both strength and durability.
This necessitates the use of alternative cements i.e. binders, that are adaptable to concrete production in the lunar environment.
Free moisture in concrete may eventually evaporate, but the chemically bonded water will not. NanoCement products ought to help create reduce porosity and increase the probability of chemically-bonded water being present within the regolith concrete, to limit water loss and promote concrete hydration as well as its longterm strength.
Microgravity can lead to increased porosity, altered crystal morphology, and a reduction in compressive strength compared to Earth's gravity. This is because convection and buoyancy-driven fluid flow that is essential for removing entrapped air and bleeding in Earth's gravity, are minimised in microgravity. This leads to a purely diffusion-controlled hydration process, which is better coordinated by nanopores. Nanoporosity-driven hydration will require a significantly reduced concrete pore volume, which is only possible with ultra-small pores (<< 20 nm or 0.02 μm ) created by superfine nanocement
The moon's surface has fine and coarse aggregates, that can be used in construction. Unlike Earth's soil however, lunar regolith is extremely dry, lacking water-containing minerals like clay and mica.
To build on the moon, two key components are needed :
A nanocatalyst to enable the binding of hydrogen with the high oxygen content regolith to form chemically-bonded water and circumvent rapid water evaporation concerns, during the critical phases of concrete hardening.
An ultra-high performance nanocement that is
to serve as an effective binder with the ultra-fine lunar dust particles and
only required in very low doses to be effective so as to minimise the payload at rocket launch
NANOARC's QUANTCEM, utilises effective chemical compositions, to deliver a higher performance nanocement, with particle dimensions averaging between 1 - 25 nm (0.001 - 0.025 µm). QUANTCEM particles are 85000x smaller than traditional cement particles and have a specific surface area (blaine) ~ 200x higher than traditional cements as shown below :
GENERAL PURPOSE CEMENT : 3,200 – 3,800 cm²/g
SLAG CEMENT (GGBS) : 4,000 – 4,500 cm²/g
RAPID HARDENING CEMENT : 4,500 – 6,500 cm²/g
NANOARC QUANTCEM : 359,300 - 635,200 cm²/g
QUANTCEM offers benefits such as :
higher reactivity without excessive heat generation,
strong and effective bonding with concrete components like regolith dust for higher density and strength,
reduced concrete weight
low porosity and increased freeze-thaw resistance
rapid hydration and concrete cure rate
increased concrete durability
minimises the need for recurring repairs
DOSAGE
The QUANTCEM effective dose* in concrete averages 0.0001 - 0.001 wt%, depending on the desired strength. At a 0.0001 wt % dose, with an average concrete strength gain of 10 - 20% in the first 24 - 72 hours (on Earth).
USAGE GUIDELINES : Although small amounts of water might be needed initially to trigger the concrete cure reaction, no special equipment is needed for QUANTCEM.
Weigh and mix QUANTCEM nanopowder thoroughly with the lunar regolith fine aggregate as well as NANOARC's hydrogen release nanocatalyst, to trigger the longterm hydration process. The semi-vacuum conditions in the lunar atmosphere will facilitate the release of the hydrogen necessary for the chemical bonding reaction with the oxygen in the lunar regolith.
In the absence of a global magnetic field and atmosphere, radiation levels on the surface of the Moon are approx. 200x higher than on Earth. Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) collide with the lunar surface (regolith) to create secondary particles, including neutrons and gamma rays.
Of the various forms of radiation known to man, neutrons are considered to be the most severe and dangerous radiation to the body. Radiation shielding simply means having some material between the source of radiation and you (or some device) that will absorb the radiation and protect you or a device, from its harmful effects.
Scientific studies unanimously show, that radiation shielding with nanoparticles is much more effective than with microparticles. As the nanoparticle size decreases, its radiation shielding capacity becomes significantly enhanced. When such superfine (<< 20 nm size) nanoparticles are infused in an epoxy, coating, grout or (micro)cement prior to coating on a surface, a layer as thin as 1 µm, 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 NANOARC QUANTCRETE systems for radiation attenuation 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 achieves enhanced radiation shielding goal simultaneously with a higher heat and embrittlement resistance, which is necessary for the radiation exposure and rapid thermal fluctuations on the lunar surface.
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NANOCEMENT & CONCRETE HYDRATION
APPLICATIONS : Nano-cementitious system to accelerate the cure rate of concrete and offset the negative impact of fly ash and GGBS 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.
NANOARCHITECTURE : <25 nm (0.025 μm) hollow semi-spherical nanoparticles
BLAINE : 388000 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 50 % LESS PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0002 -0.0003 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 0 % PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0004 - 0.0006 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.0011 - 0.0021 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE* : 3 g
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00011 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 20 - 60 %
*MINIMUM CEMENT REDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : min. 10 %
*CO2 DEDUCTION (per m3 of CONCRETE) : min. 216 kg (equivalent of ~ 0.22 carbon offset credits)
1 carbon credit = 1 tonne of CO2
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.
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
BLAINE : 359300 cm²/g
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 50 % LESS PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0005 -0.0006 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 0 % PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0006 - 0.001 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN (NON-SHRINKING) GROUT : 0.002 - 0.003 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 3.2 g
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00016 %
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 15 - 55 % in 24 to 72 hours
REDUCED POROSITY & INCREASED MECHANICAL REINFORCEMENT
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.
NANOARCHITECTURE : ~ 5 nm (0.005 μm) spherical particles
BLAINE/ SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA : 415,300 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 50 % LESS PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0003 - 0.0004 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 0 % PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.0004 - 0.0005 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 3 - 4.5g
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
**Early strength gain is retarded slightly in days 1-7, when superplasticizers are used but picks up significantly afterwards
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 NANOFILLER, QUANTCEM CURE, microfine and conventional cement slurries due to their larger particle size and limited penetrability.
NANOARCHITECTURE : Atomically Thin 2D sheets ( < 1 nm)
BLAINE : 635200 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 50 % LESS PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.00015 - 0.0002 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN CONCRETE AT 0 % PORTLAND CEMENT USAGE : 0.00025 - 0.0003 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 3 - 4.5g
AVERAGE FLEXURAL STRENGTH GAIN**: approx. 20 - 40 %
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
**Early strength gain is retarded slightly in days 1-7, when superplasticizers are used but picks up significantly afterwards
APPLICATIONS
RAPID EARLY STAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH: It serves as a concrete rapid hardening solution, enabling a fast setting of concrete with less cement, thus helping lower the carbon footprint while simultaneously saving valuable hours and reducing construction duration time.
ATOMIC-SCALE CONCRETE REPAIR & REINFORCEMENT: With an ultra-high blaine of 1,486,400 cm²/g and particle dimensions of ~ 1.4nm (0.001 μm), it is capable of surgically penetrating deep level cracks and fractured sites within concrete, more than any material prior. At a quantum particle size of 1.4 nm, it is close to the size domain of atoms the size of a hydrogen atom (0.11 nm).
CORROSION PREVENTION: With strong corrosion resistance, good chemical and thermal stability and a pH of ~ 11.7, it and a size closer to the atomic scale, it provides a more surgical interaction with corrosive agents like chlorine ions (~ 0.167 nm), water molecules (0.275 nm) and sulphate ions (0.242 nm) to prohibit chemical damage in concrete.
EARLY-AGE CEMENT HYDRATION & DENSIFIER: Once in contact with water, in a concrete mix, it increases the heat of hydration of Portland cement, yielding rapid and high early stage compressive strength gain while simultaneously acting as a cement nucleation site to densify concrete, reducing porosity and the probability of crack formation. This enables the production of lighter precast concrete with higher strength and better durability. The increased heat of hydration benefits construction in extremely cold areas (e.g Antartica, Alaska and far nordic regions) and in warmer environments, less portland cement usage is possible. It is beneficial for systems like of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS or GGBFS) where is acts as an early activator to enhance concrete strength gain.
ANTI-STATIC SURFACES: It serves as an anti-static agent, useful in applications requiring low electrostatic charge and dissipative surface.
NANOARCHITECTURE : ~ 1.4 nm (0.001 μm) nanoparticles
COLOUR : CREAM-White / WHITE Nanopowder
BLAINE : 1,486,400 cm²/g
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT : 0.0001 -0.001 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 1 g
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00004 %
EARLY COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH GAIN**: Up to 40 % or 55 % in 24 and 72 hours
**Strength increases with dose augmentation
CEMENT REDUCTION : ~ 20% upward (dosage-dependent)
APPLICATIONS : Increases thermal conductivity, freeze and thaw resistance and reduces the shrinkage rate of concrete. It significantly enhances compressive and tensile strength.
CORE++ nanotubes are structurally similar to carbon nanotubes (CNT). However, CORE++ nanotubes have more superior corrosion and oxidative resistance than CNTs. This makes CORE++ nanotubes more suitable as light weight fillers in concrete and cement composites.
As a sand replacement nanomaterial, it improves the microstructure of concrete, increases density, compressive strength, fire resistance, and decreases concrete deformations and is useful for bulletproof and blast protection composites.
In Cement composites the nanoparticles act as nucleation sites and accelerate cement hydration, forming bridges across cement paste pores and cracks, providing a high bonding strength. As a result of its excellent mechanical performance, high thermal conductivity and wear resistance, CORE++ is a useful (micro)cement nanoadditive, for improved floor heating and thermal management in buildings. This enhancement in thermal conductivity increases, as the dimensions of the nanomaterial gets smaller.
NANOARCHITECTURE : Nanotubes
DIMENSIONS : < 3 nm diameter, up to 10 µm in length
COLOUR : Whitish Grey Nanopowder
HEAT RESISTANCE : Up to 2830 °C (5130°F)
AVERAGE DOSE IN (MICRO)CEMENT: ~ 0.001 - 0.0015 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE PER m3 OF CONCRETE : 2.9g (~ 0.08 oz. per cubic yard)
QUANTITY | PRICE
50 grams (1.76 oz.) | £ 16,700
500 grams (17.6 oz.) | £ 166,000
1kg (2.2 lb) | £ 332,000
BULK ORDER RATES : From 1 Tonne | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
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.
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 : 3.12g (~ 0.09 oz. per cubic yard) or AS NEEDED
WT % (per m3 of CONCRETE) : 0.00013 %
APPLICATIONS : Nano-Pore Filler, Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant, Neutron attenuator in high density concrete for nuclear power plants & X-ray facilities.
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 %
QUANTITY | PRICE
5 grams (0.17 oz.) | £ 7,000
50 grams (1.76 oz.) | £ 69,000
250 grams (8.81 oz.) | £ 345,000
BULK ORDER RATES : From 1 Tonne | CONTACT trade@nanoarc.org
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.
NANOARCHITECTURE : 5 - 7 nm ( 0.005 - 0.007 μm) spherical particles
BLAINE : 415000 cm²/g
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
AVERAGE DOSAGE IN (MICRO)CEMENT AT 50 % LESS CEMENT USAGE : 0.0002 - 0.0003 wt %
AVERAGE DOSE IN GROUT : 0.002 - 0.003 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
**Early strength gain is retarded slightly in days 1-7, when superplasticizers are used but picks up significantly afterwards
UNDERSTANDING RADON:
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive, odourless, colourless, tasteless noble gas. Rn is a contaminant, that affects indoor air quality, worldwide. 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.
DIMENSION-BASED SOLUTION
Radioactive radon particles vary in size.
When attached to an aerosol, radon particles range in size from 50-300 nm (0.05 - 0.3 μm)
Unattached radon particles range from 3 - 5 nm (0.003 - 0.005 μm)
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 nanoparticles are of the same size range as unattached radon particles.
As such QuantCrete nanoparticles used to densify concrete and can form a dense structure therein, acting as a physical as well as chemical barrier, to prevent the diffusion of Radon, through a basement concrete floor.
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.