Circular Economy Material

This multi-authored book aims to illustrate the social, economic, and ecological factors that should determine and be determined by design in the implementation of a sustainable circular economy and society. We take design to refer to a continuum of perspectives and applications from industrial design to policy design, and this broad perspective invites theoretical and methodological contributions from a range of fields. In addition to bringing scholarly diversity to circularity, we expand and challenge the mainstream circular economy narrative of material efficiencies and green growth to include the demands of inclusive growth and ecological boundaries consistent with sustainable development. Readers from within and beyond design, conscious of the limitations of circular green growth will find new inspiration in this book regarding the nature of a sustainable circular economy and society and the broad design agenda that must be implemented to enable a just and informed circular transition.

This book covers emerging opportunities and future use of nanotechnology in construction, including deep advances in cement chemistry, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, concrete technology, and extreme engineering (blast, impact and fire). The proceedings also presents sectorial interactions within the traditional construction industry supply chain, enabled by the dynamic partnership between international industry, government agencies, and universities. Nanotechnology has transformed the construction materials industry into an advanced manufacturing sector to address climate change and carbon neutrality challenges by delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructure assets. Hence, this book reports specific advances in nanoscience and nano-engineering, and their impacts on numerous novel construction materials including binders, additives, high-performance concrete materials, concrete structural systems, polymer composites, and pavement materials.