Dr. Roberto Lavín, researcher in the Magnetic Nanostructures Line of the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) and Director of the Institute of Basic Sciences of the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences at Universidad Diego Portales (UDP), won a FONDEF (Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development) IDeA I+D 2024 grant from the National Research and Development Agency (ANID). This financial support, announced on March 25, will back his innovative high-performance concrete project using nanotechnology.
The project titled “Development of a Nanoadditive Prototype for High-Performance Concrete for the Formulation of a Lightweight Structural Concrete Building Element for Housing”, aims to generate a nanoparticle-based dopant to improve the mechanical properties of cementitious materials. It also seeks to build a lightweight structural nanotechnological panel that addresses the lack of thermal insulation in homes built with concrete.
The problem lies in strength
Concrete is used as a structural element because of its great capacity to bear loads. However, it has very poor thermal insulation, which is why homes are cold in winter and hot in summer. There are various thermally insulating building elements, but they lack mechanical strength, such as particleboard panels, polymer insulation, cellular concrete (aerated concrete), etc.
“The problem behind this project is that, to date, there are no building materials that are both structural (with high mechanical strength) and thermally insulating, since, in general, lightweight materials are thermal insulators and dense materials are mechanically strong,” explains Dr. Lavín.
The CEDENNA researcher adds that “this project aims, with very good prospects, to solve this problem and generate a lightweight, structural concrete through nanotechnology and the use of plastic industry waste. In this way we contribute in several ways to decontamination and the efficient use of energy and materials”.
How did this project come about?
This project is the product of years of research involving Master’s and undergraduate thesis students at Universidad Diego Portales. Former students of the UDP Faculty of Engineering and Sciences and Dr. Manuel Gacitúa, academic at this university and CEDENNA researcher, also take part in the research.
Dr. Lavín highlights and acknowledges the support of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers and companies associated with the project, as well as the significance of being selected as principal investigator, which reflects recognition of the quality of the research carried out in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
