Meta concrete: Exploring novel functionality of concrete using nanotechnology

Meta-concrete refers to the cementitious composites that possess novel functionality and superior performance through advanced manufacturing process, such as nanotechnology. Modern concrete bears both structural and functional features, the former of which has been intensively researched in the last decades, but multi-functional features of concrete structures related to heat, light, sound, vibration, etc. have not been systematically investigated. In this paper, the recent development of multi-functional concrete, also known as meta-concrete, is reviewed with focus on the improvement of traditional properties, such as mechanical and transport properties, and endorsement of the novel functionalities such as sensing, self-cleaning, energy harvesting by taking advantage of nanotechnology in cement and concrete. Besides the addition of nanoparticles into cement concrete to make it multifunctional, a new technique of developing silica-based hybrid nanocomposites for surface treatment of concrete to achieve novel functions is reviewed and its feasibility is discussed. This work could shed light on the future development of meta-concrete.