Description :  Advanced nanoparticle technology can mitigate corrosion in concrete reinforcement. First, particles are selected for their mobility and for their reactivity with hardened cement paste pore fluid. Then, a weak electric field drives the particles into the concrete while extracting the chlorides that cause corrosion. Following extraction, the nanoparticles react with the pore fluid to form inorganic phases that are chemically similar to the Portland cement and seal the concrete surface against future chloride penetration. The effectiveness of alumina and silica nanoparticles for mitigating corrosion of reinforcement is the main focus of this research.

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Principal Investigator:  Cardenas, Henry  --  Mechanical Engineering

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Collaborators:  

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Funding Agencies:  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Amount Awarded:  $10,000

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Start Period:  03/01/2005

End Period:  11/30/2005