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Nanotechnology and bionics - High tech in the building industry
(Nanowerk News) 'Nanotechnology and bionics – High tech in the building industry' is the title of a series of events being organised by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology and taking place at BAU 2011. The idea behind it is to present the high-tech capabilities and innovations strength of the building sector by highlighting examples of advanced technology from building research and practice.
The building industry is a sector with tremendous innovations potential. Yet the route each building innovation has to take from initial concept through to implementation on the building site is long and particularly 'stony', not least because of the special requirements regarding the safety and durability of building products and processes. At the same time, the image of the building industry does not properly reflect the performance capability and innovations strength that there is in this industry. Many highly interesting and promising new technological developments for the field of building and construction simply do not attract the public attention they deserve. Sometimes also they are too little known even within the industry. Cross-sectoral technologies such as nanotechnology and bionics, however, can be embraced successfully by building and construction to develop 'real building innovations', which open up brand new prospects for the industry.
Congress, forums, exhibition
The series of events being organised by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology is divided into three parts: a congress on 18 January 2011, four trade forums on 18 and 19 January and an accompanying exhibition in the foyer of the International Congress Centre Munich (ICM). Taking part in the events is free for all visitors to BAU 2011.
The event kicks off with a congress in the ICM. Here recognised experts on nanotechnology and bionics and from building research will be presenting their findings and talking about these exciting fields to the participants. They will be pointing out possible applications for both these cross-sectoral technologies in the building industry. In the four trade forums that follow on from the congress, attention will turn towards experience with specific applications. Many research groups and companies have agreed to present their results and innovative products in a concise, easy-to-understand way. Also highlighted will be how these new technologies can help in efforts to protect the climate and use energy and resources efficiently. Aspects such as safety for man and the environment when using nanomaterials and the difficulties of introducing innovative products onto the market will also be discussed in the lectures.
The accompanying exhibition entitled 'Nanotechnology and bionics – New building made easy' is being put on in the foyer of the ICM. Here it is accessible not only to trade visitors from BAU 2011, but also to local people and their families and to school classes from the region who are being invited to visit. The exhibition focuses on hands-on exhibits that illustrate the new technologies in an understandable way. It also takes up and explores further the innovative building projects and products that are being presented in the trade forums. In this way the sponsor, the organisers and the promoters of the exhibition seek to achieve their aim of presenting the building industry as an innovative high-tech sector to a wider trade audience in the region and beyond.
'Nanotechnology and bionics – High tech in the building industry' is being put on by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology. It is being organised by the RKW Rationalisierungsgemeinschaft 'Bauwesen'.
About BAU 2011
BAU 2011, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials, Systems, takes place from 17 to 22 January 2011 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. Over 1,900 exhibitors from more than 40 countries are expected to take part, and more than 210,000 visitors from around 150 countries. On show at BAU on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space will be architectural solutions, materials and systems for commercial and residential construction and for interior fitting, both new-build and renovation and modernisation. Every two years this event brings together market leaders from the sector to participate in a unique display of competence spanning all the construction trades. BAU is also the world´s largest trade fair for architects and engineers, attracting over 38,000 design professionals. The range of building materials on display at the fair is grouped into product and theme sections. Key topics for the future of the industry, such as sustainable building, play an important role in all sections of the exhibition. The many attractive events in the supporting programme, including high-calibre forums with experts from all over the world, round off this industry showcase.
Source: Messe München