INDIANAPOLIS, United States — Taking advantage of some of the many uses of nanotechnologies, from solar energies to structural materials to insulation, help make green buildings more cost-effective, more energy-efficient and more in tune with their environments, according to a new report from the Green Technology Forum.

The report, "Nanotechnology for Green Building," finds that the convergence of two already-hot fields, nanotechnology and green building, is working to invigorate the markets of each, and expanding the potential of both technologies.

George Elvin, the director of the Green Technology Forum and the author of the report, said that the future is now for the two fields, and listed several ready-for-primetime examples of nanotech uses in buildings. Elvin cited the improvements that have already been made in solar insulation and generation, as well as thin-film insulation and coatings, including "healing" coatings that can remove and neutralize pollutants from a building's surrounding atmosphere.

Elvid said that in the near future, nanotech will also revolutionize water and air filtration in buildings, develop self-cleaning methods and provide lighter, stronger structural components.

Despite the economic and environmental benefits that nanotech and architects can offer each other, the two groups are only beginning to realize the full potential of working together. Elvin said that "the nanotech and building sectors have to get to know each other a lot better in order to realize the dramatic benefits awaiting each of them."

More information about the report, as well as a link to purchase "Nanotechnology for Green Building," is available at http://www.greentechforum.net/greenbuild.