A process for producing heat-expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic resin shell and a blowing agent encapsulated therein. The process includes the steps of dispersing a polymerizable component and the blowing agent in an aqueous dispersion medium having a pH of 7 or less and containing a fine-particle metal compound having a mean particle size ranging from 1.0 to 10 nm, and polymerizing the polymerizable component. The amount of the fine-particle metal compound ranges from 0.15 to 20 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymerizable component and the blowing agent. Also disclosed are heat-expandable microspheres produced by dispersing a polymerizable component and a blowing agent in an aqueous dispersion medium containing colloidal silica and polymerizing the polymerizable component. Also disclosed is a composition containing the heat-expandable microspheres and a base component, a formed product, a slurry composition for use in forming a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery and a negative electrode.

The invention relates to a fibrous mat facer for preparing a gypsum board, to a gypsum board comprising said mat facer and to a system comprising said gypsum board. The fibrous mat comprises at least one ply of a non-woven fabric, and a binder composition, wherein the binder composition represents from 10 to 40 wt % of the total weight of the mat. The binder composition comprises a copolymer comprising a co-monomer unit of a vinyl ester of an alpha branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, said copolymer being present in an amount from 25 to 100 wt % of the binder composition weight.

The invention relates to a fibrous mat facer for preparing a gypsum board, to a gypsum board comprising said mat facer and to a system comprising said gypsum board. The fibrous mat comprises at least one ply of a non-woven fabric, and a binder composition, wherein the binder composition represents from 10 to 40 wt % of the total weight of the mat. The binder composition comprises a copolymer comprising a co-monomer unit of a vinyl ester of an alpha branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, said copolymer being present in an amount from 25 to 100 wt % of the binder composition weight.

A repairing or reinforcement method includes applying, to concrete, a pressure-sensitive or bonding adhesive sheet containing a first pressure-sensitive or bonding adhesive layer; and curing the first adhesive layer such that a first surface of the first adhesive layer is bonded to the concrete. The first adhesive layer contains an acrylic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15 C. or below, a liquid epoxy resin, a solid epoxy resin, and a curing agent.

A repairing or reinforcement method includes applying, to concrete, a pressure-sensitive or bonding adhesive sheet containing a first pressure-sensitive or bonding adhesive layer; and curing the first adhesive layer such that a first surface of the first adhesive layer is bonded to the concrete. The first adhesive layer contains an acrylic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15 C. or below, a liquid epoxy resin, a solid epoxy resin, and a curing agent.

Methods for manufacturing a metal foam and a metal foam reinforced back plate may be used to provide high-strength and low weight structural elements in portable information handling systems. A method for manufacturing a metal foam may include selectively adding iridium oxide and ceramic particulate to a light-metal allow to create desired mechanical properties of the metal foam.

A method of applying a protective film to a construction panel comprising: a) selectively applying an adhesive composition to a peripheral region of a surface of the construction panel; and/or selectively applying an adhesive composition to a peripheral region of a surface of the protective film; and b) applying a protective film to the surface of the construction panel to bond the protective film to the construction panel. A construction panel comprising a protective film layer on a surface of the panel and a peripheral adhesive composition layer located between said surface of the panel and the protective film layer, wherein the peripheral adhesive composition layer extends from an edge of the panel and across from about 0.1% to about 25% of the width of the surface.

The present invention relates to an illumination system (100) comprising at least one illumination device (1) comprising a casing (2) wherein at least one light source (3) suitable for illuminating is housed, at least a power receptor (10) and at least an electronic board (9) adapted to receive, elaborate and transmit data. Moreover, said illumination system (100) also comprises at least one command interface (80A, 80B) adapted to communicate with said electronic board (9) of said at least one illumination device (1).

The present invention relates to an illumination system (100) comprising at least one illumination device (1) comprising a casing (2) wherein at least one light source (3) suitable for illuminating is housed, at least a power receptor (10) and at least an electronic board (9) adapted to receive, elaborate and transmit data. Moreover, said illumination system (100) also comprises at least one command interface (80A, 80B) adapted to communicate with said electronic board (9) of said at least one illumination device (1).

A method of installing a flooring structure is disclosed. The method includes providing an acoustic insulating layer over a sub-floor layer. The method also includes providing an underlayment layer over the acoustic insulating layer. The provided underlayment layer includes gypsum concrete having a water-resistant additive. Also disclosed is a flooring structure. The flooring structure includes an acoustic insulating layer over a sub-floor layer. The flooring structure also includes an underlayment layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The underlayment layer includes gypsum concrete having a water-resistant additive. Additionally disclosed is a gypsum concrete flooring underlayment product. The product includes a mixture of alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The product also includes a silane-based powder intermixed with the mixture of alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate.