MTEC to pursue more eco-friendly materials / Construction industry innovation lagging
Written by Writer on Monday, November 10th, 2008
MTEC to pursue more eco-friendly materials
Construction industry innovation lagging
VICHAYA PITSUWAN
As concern rises about climate change, the state-run Metal and Materials Technology Centre (MTEC) is focusing more on developing construction materials that reduce energy consumption, says Werasak Udomkichdecha, the centre’s director. ”MTEC will better complete its role as a national technology centre in materials and metals development if it tackles making construction materials use energy more efficiently in buildings,” he said.
He said construction materials development had been neglected, even though it was one of the best ways to confront climate change.
”Our main role is to develop materials that make people’s lives better in every way, with energy usage and environmental friendliness as important issues of consideration.”
Energy usage in buildings accounts for one-third of global energy consumption, which is as much as that of the transport sector.
”If we could push [energy consumption improvement] through, Thailand would have a comparative advantage in many aspects, especially in reducing crude imports and as a technology base for manufacturing such products,” said Dr Werasak.
Improvements in buildings’ energy efficiency can also deliver quicker results than in the transport sector.
MTEC plans to offer research funding to institutional researchers nationwide, in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) strategic plan.
”What is more important is collaborating with the business sector, which could have a big impact and draw more interest into building material development,” he said.”There are plenty of ideas you can apply to this field. For example, the ceramics team could join forces with the polymer team to come up with better insulated roofs that reflect heat, or composites of different materials of different strengths could reinforce this goal.”
MTEC plans to introduce a high-efficiency fuel-cell later this year, and its researchers are also close to introducing a locally made low-cost truck designed for farm use, he said.
Bangkok Post
Monday November 10, 2008
