Center for Nanotechnology in Cementitious Systems

About CNCS

CNCS is a new center, started in 2008, that specializes in the science of cementitious materials. The CNCS uses nanotechnology to improve sustainability and performance of concrete roads and structures.

Center staff combine expertise in concrete technology and materials science and engineering. The cross-disciplinary nature of the center opens the door to exciting research in this new area.

Nanodevices could one day monitor and report on the state of hydration in a mixture and correlate that with the risk of cracking, or they could predict when traffic can be placed on a road.

Other nano-based materials or devices could be used to modify or control the rate of hydration to allow for changes in construction practices or prevent weather-related damage during construction.

In the future, CNCS researchers hope to support 10 graduate students through research projects. Initial projects are being developed, including analysis of the effects of shrinkage-reducing admixtures on the morphology of hydrated cement paste and the properties of air voids entrained in the mixture.

Through their current industry contacts, center staff will create an industry advisory board to help direct research funding strategies.

Past Events

Report of the Workshop on Nanotechnology for Cement and Concrete (4.4 mb pdf).

International Conference on Sustainable Concrete Pavements

This two-and-a-half day event was held in 2010 in Sacramento, California. It was hosted by the National CP Tech Center and FHWA. Visit the FHWA event page for more information.

Workshop on Nanotechnology for Cement and Concrete

A workshop was held in Arlington, VA, on September 5, 2007. The objective of the meeting was to provide national direction on areas of priority interest and collaboration between industry and public agencies specifically for applications of nanotechnology to cement and concrete.

• September 2007, Report of the Workshop on Nanotechnology for Cement and Concrete (4.4 mb pdf)

Resources and Laboratories

• CP Tech Center's Mobile Concrete Laboratory
• PCC Pavement and Materials Research Laboratory

Related Programs

National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

InTrans administers the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center, a national center for advancing concrete pavement technology.

Contacts

For more information about the CNCS, contact

• Co-director

  Krishna Rajan
  krajan@iastate.edu
  515-294-2670