technologyscanning

FindingNewIdeas ForHousing

U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development

Office of Policy Developmentand Research

Cover photographs courtesy of: ConitaCover photographs courtesy of: ConitaCover photographs courtesy of: ConitaCover photographs courtesy of: ConitaCover photographs courtesy of: ConitaTTTTTechnologies, Symbol Technologies, Symbol Technologies, Symbol Technologies, Symbol Technologies, Symbol Technologies, andechnologies, andechnologies, andechnologies, andechnologies, andLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.....

FindingNewIdeas ForHousing

scanningtechnology

Prepared for:Prepared for:Prepared for:Prepared for:Prepared for:U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOffice of Policy Development and ResearchWashington, D.C.

Prepared by:Prepared by:Prepared by:Prepared by:Prepared by:NAHB Research Center, Inc.Upper Marlboro, MD

Contract No.:Contract No.:Contract No.:Contract No.:Contract No.:C-OPC-21289

One of PATH’s major researchsupport services is PATHTechnology Scanning.Technology Scanning tells usabout technologydevelopments in otherindustries, from other nations,from federal laboratories, andfrom other building sectors.PATH looks for breakthroughsin other industries that couldbe transferred and applied tohousing. TechnologyScanning–published by theU.S. Department of Housingand Urban Development/PATHand prepared by the NAHBResearch Center, Inc.–isupdated as technologydevelopments dictate. TheResearch Center works tounite technology developersfrom outside of residentialconstruction withmanufacturers in theresidential housing sector.

These issues of TechnologyScanning are one in a series.Each issue in the series fallsinto one of the followingcategories:

• Design and Internet Tools• Safety• Surfaces and Interior

Finishes• Building Envelope

Technologies• Electrical• Plumbing• Heating, Ventilating and

Air Conditioning• Energy/Power Systems

Generation• Basic Materials• Information Technology• Sustainable Design

Strategies• Materials Recycling and

Reuse• Thermal and Moisture

Protection• Indoor Environmental

Quality

Call the ToolBase Hotline at800-898-2842 for informationabout other availableTechnology Scanning issues.Or, log onto pathnet.org andwww.toolbase.org.

Issue 1November 2001

PATH TTTTTechnology Scansechnology Scansechnology Scansechnology Scansechnology Scans

Technology Scanning–published by the U.S. Departmentof Housing and Urban Development/PATH and preparedby the NAHB Research Center, Inc.–is updated astechnology developments dictate.

technologyscanning

technologyscanning

Safer Digging Near UtilitiesSafer Digging Near UtilitiesSafer Digging Near UtilitiesSafer Digging Near UtilitiesSafer Digging Near Utilities

Soft trencher, a newtechnology in excavating equipment, usessupersonic air to break soil. Loosened dirtcan then be vacuumed away. It is harmlessto buried utilities and safer for the operator.It clears a one foot wide trench (wider withmultiple passes) up to a depth of 10 feet @15cfm/min.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Steve OkonekElectric Power Research Institute3412 HillviewPalo Alto, CA 94304-1395Phone: 850-855-1068

Safer InspectionSafer InspectionSafer InspectionSafer InspectionSafer Inspection

Climber Robot is a mobilerobot that propels itself vertically forinspection to perform remote sensing ofman-made structures. Applications todayinclude shipbuilding, aircraft inspection,bridge inspection, and building inspection.It could be used in inspecting roofs, secondstory applications, foundation or trenches,where the person inspecting may be at riskfor fall or injury.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Vanderbilt UniversityOffice of Technology TransferNashville, TNPhone: 615-343-2430

Safety Equipment fromSafety Equipment fromSafety Equipment fromSafety Equipment fromSafety Equipment fromLogging IndustryLogging IndustryLogging IndustryLogging IndustryLogging Industry

This firm from the loggingindustry provides some of the best safetydevices for the logging industry and is nowentering the construction industry. One ofits construction safety products is a newstate-of-the-art Ultra-Jack Scaffold system.Other products include fall-arresters, roofbrackets, and wind anchors.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Qual Craft Industries, Inc.Stoughton, MIPhone: 781-344-1000www.qualcraft.com

Safe ExcavationSafe ExcavationSafe ExcavationSafe ExcavationSafe Excavation

Safe Excavation is anelectronic device that attaches to a backhoe,providing real time warning of a utility lineimmediately ahead of the digging tool. Itcan detect and provide depth, location, andsize of buried cables, gas lines, or toxicwaste lines. It attaches to trenchers,backhoes, and other digging machines. It isready for commercialization with properfinancing. They are working also on anenhanced version that detects plastic-coatedlines and fiberoptic lines.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Leonhard BernholdAssociate Professor of Civil EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityPhone: 919-515-3677

Research to Reduce Construction BackResearch to Reduce Construction BackResearch to Reduce Construction BackResearch to Reduce Construction BackResearch to Reduce Construction BackInjuriesInjuriesInjuriesInjuriesInjuries

North Carolina StateIndustrial Engineering Department,Ergonomics Lab, is doing motion analysison jobsites. From that research they hope todevelop prototype tools using lumbarmotion monitors, as well as developcomparative tool and equipment testingand analysis.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Dr. Steven LorencAssociation DirectorCenter for Construction Technology andIntegrationNorth Carolina State UniversityCampus Box 7908Raleigh, NC 27695-7908Phone: 919-515-3677

Safety

Safety technology applicationsSafety technology applicationsSafety technology applicationsSafety technology applicationsSafety technology applicationsinclude ideas that reduce orinclude ideas that reduce orinclude ideas that reduce orinclude ideas that reduce orinclude ideas that reduce oreliminate hazards from specificeliminate hazards from specificeliminate hazards from specificeliminate hazards from specificeliminate hazards from specificconstruction tasks that are mostconstruction tasks that are mostconstruction tasks that are mostconstruction tasks that are mostconstruction tasks that are mostassociated with injury or accidentassociated with injury or accidentassociated with injury or accidentassociated with injury or accidentassociated with injury or accident(falls, back injury, trenching, or(falls, back injury, trenching, or(falls, back injury, trenching, or(falls, back injury, trenching, or(falls, back injury, trenching, ordigging accidents).digging accidents).digging accidents).digging accidents).digging accidents).

Issue 1November 2001

Technology ScanningOne of PATH’s major research support

services is PATH Technology Scanning.Technology Scanning tells us abouttechnology developments in otherindustries, from other nations, fromfederal laboratories, and from otherbuilding sectors. PATH looks forbreakthroughs in other industries thatcould be transferred and applied tohousing. Technology Scanning–published by the U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development/PATHand prepared by the NAHB ResearchCenter, Inc.–is updated as technologydevelopments dictate. The Research Centerworks to unite technology developers fromoutside of residential construction withmanufacturers in the residential housingsector.

This issue of Technology Scanning isone in a series. Each issue in the seriesfalls into one of the following categories:• Design and Internet Tools• Safety• Surfaces and Interior Finishes• Building Envelope Technologies• Electrical• Plumbing• Heating, Ventilating and Air

Conditioning• Energy/Power Systems Generation• Basic Materials• Information Technology• Sustainable Design Strategies• Materials Recycling and Reuse• Thermal and Moisture Protection• Indoor Environmental Quality

Call the ToolBase Hotline at800-898-2842 for information about otheravailable Technology Scanning issues.Or, log onto pathnet.org andwww.toolbase.org.

451 7th Street, SWWashington, DC 20410Email: pathnet@pathnet.org

DescriptionDescriptionDescriptionDescriptionDescription

The Partnership for Advancing Technologyin Housing (PATH) advances technology inthe home building industry to improve theaffordability and value of new and existinghomes. Through public and private efforts,PATH adds value to seven of the nation’s keyhousing attributes: affordability, energyefficiency, environmental impact, quality,durability and maintenance, hazardmitigation, and labor safety. PATH recognizesthe importance of planning research andsetting priorities for technology developmentthat will enable the home building industryto work towards the PATH mission.

One major research support service thatPATH provides is called PATH TechnologyScanning. Technology Scanning tells usabout technology developments in entirelydifferent industries, from other nations, andfrom other building sectors that may haveapplication in residential construction.

HistoryHistoryHistoryHistoryHistory

To date, PATH has accomplished its firstexploration for the “Other Industries”Technology Scan. This ongoing effortinvolved mining reports and publications on

new and existing technologies from privateindustry, research universities, andgovernment laboratories. Through this effort,it is PATH’s hope that manufacturers andbuilders will begin making contacts withother industries for new R&D efforts, andthat those industries will begin to developbuilding-specific applications andtechnology transfer opportunities. In thelong term, we hope that there will be asustained investment and interest by thehousing industry into technologicaldevelopments in other areas.

UpdateUpdateUpdateUpdateUpdate

The Technology Scanning projectcontinues to develop as new and emergingtechnologies in areas from energy use tomaterials to information technology areuncovered. We suggest that all buildingproduct manufacturers review these lists forgreat new ideas, just like we hope that non-building innovators realize the greatopportunities and markets available inhousing. Get new report updates by visitingwww.pathnet.org or www.toolbase.org.

Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Dana BresCarlos MartinU.S. Department of Housing andUrban DevelopmentWashington, D.C.Phone: 202-708-4370Email: dana_b._bres@hud.gov andcarlos_e._martin@hud.govLarry ZarkerNAHB Research Center, Inc.Upper Marlboro, MDPhone: 301-430-6205Email: lzarker@nahbrc.org

NoticeNoticeNoticeNoticeNotice

The work that provided the basis for thispublication was supported by funding undercontract number C-OPC-21289 from the U.S.Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment. The substance and findings ofthe work are dedicated to the public. Theauthor is solely responsible for the accuracyof the statements and interpretationscontained in this publication. Suchinterpretations do not necessarily reflect theviews of the government.

While the information in this document isbelieved to be accurate, neither the authors,nor reviewers, nor the U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development, nor theNAHB Research Center, Inc., nor any of theiremployees or representatives makes anywarranty, guarantee, or representation,expressed or implied, with respect to theaccuracy, effectiveness, or usefulness of anyinformation, method, or material in thisdocument, nor assumes any liability for theuse of any information, methods, or materialsdisclosed herein, or for damages arising fromsuch use.

About the NAHB ResearchAbout the NAHB ResearchAbout the NAHB ResearchAbout the NAHB ResearchAbout the NAHB ResearchCenterCenterCenterCenterCenter, Inc., Inc., Inc., Inc., Inc.

The NAHB Research Center is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the National Associationof Home Builders (NAHB). The NAHB has200,000 members, including 50,000 builderswho build more than 80 percent of newAmerican homes. The NAHB Research Centerconducts research, analysis, and demonstra-tion programs in all areas relating to homebuilding and carries out extensive programsof information dissemination and inter-change among members of the industry andbetween the industry and the public.

ForewordAs a result of rising levels of homeownership in recent years, the homebuilding industryhas expanded to meet the new demand for homes for America's families. Unfortunately,most homes being produced do not fully utilize available technologies that can result ingreater affordability, durability and energy efficiency. Too often, the home buildingindustry has lagged others in the pace of technological innovation and adoption. Severalcauses have been identified to account for this slow pace of technology adoption. Theyinclude high development costs, code acceptance, and the need for extensive experiencewith a product before builders will adopt it.

Because new technologies can play an increasingly critical role in the affordability,durability and energy efficiency of American homes, we must identify ways to speed theirintegration into the housing industry. While many promising technologies are currently inuse, other industries have developed products or processes that can be used in housing.These technologies have demonstrated performance that can be evaluated.

Looking to other industries will reduce the time and costs associated with the introductionof new products in the housing industry. By selecting proven technologies, homebuilderswill be able to provide more affordable, durable and energy efficient housing to America'sfamilies. In addition, many of the technologies will provide homes which are safer for boththe residents and builders.

This process of Technology Scanning was sponsored by the Partnership for AdvancingTechnology in Housing (PATH), a public-private partnership administered by the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development. Technology Scanning examinedtechnology developments in other industries, from other nations, from federal laboratories,and from other building sectors for potential breakthroughs that could be transferred andapplied to the residential construction industry. This cross-industry information sharing hasnever been performed in such a comprehensive manner. Technology Scanning efforts willalso include highlighting housing opportunities to industries that traditionally have notmarketed to the housing industry.

This report presents the results of PATH's initial Technology Scanning efforts. Many ofthose technologies have the potential to make housing more affordable, durable and energyefficient. Future reports on PATH's Technology Scanning activities will be prepare astechnology developments are identified.

Lawrence L. ThompsonGeneral Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research