An engineered stone includes a light transmitting mother material (I) and a phosphorescent chip (II). The light transmitting mother material (I) includes about 7 wt % to about 12 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 88 wt % to about 93 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 0.01 part by weight to about 1 part by weight of an organic/inorganic pigment (C) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A). The phosphorescent chip (II) includes about 8 wt % to about 15 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 85 wt % to about 92 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 2 parts by weight to about 10 parts by weight of a phosphorescent pigment (D) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A).

An engineered stone includes a light transmitting mother material (I) and a phosphorescent chip (II). The light transmitting mother material (I) includes about 7 wt % to about 12 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 88 wt % to about 93 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 0.01 part by weight to about 1 part by weight of an organic/inorganic pigment (C) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A). The phosphorescent chip (II) includes about 8 wt % to about 15 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 85 wt % to about 92 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 2 parts by weight to about 10 parts by weight of a phosphorescent pigment (D) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A).

The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet; and a second panel spaced from the second primary surface of the first panel, wherein the second panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet. The concrete form also comprises a layer of insulating material disposed between the first panel and the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet; and a second panel spaced from the second primary surface of the first panel, wherein the second panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet. The concrete form also comprises a layer of insulating material disposed between the first panel and the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

A method for creating multifunctional cementitious composites that provide load-bearing and self-sensing properties. The method involves dispersing conductive nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes) into a polymer (e.g., latex) material from which a thin film is created and deposited (e.g., sprayed) onto aggregates, which after drying, can be incorporated with cementitious materials and desired liquids and cast, along with sufficient number of electrodes, into a form for curing. After curing, the resultant structure can be electrically tested through the electrodes, for structural characteristics, including determination of damage severity and location using back-calculation utilizing electrical resistance tomography (ERT), or electrical impedance tomography (EIT), to generate a spatial resistivity map (distribution).

A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

An activator composition for a non-OPC hydraulically-active material comprises CaO or lime and a polycarboxylate-ether-based (PCE) superplasticiser, and is mixable with a hydraulically active material comprising ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and/or pulverized fuel ash (PFA) to form a cementitious binder. The cementitious binder does not comprise any Portland cement and is, therefore, more environmentally friendly.

An activator composition for a non-OPC hydraulically-active material comprises CaO or lime and a polycarboxylate-ether-based (PCE) superplasticiser, and is mixable with a hydraulically active material comprising ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and/or pulverized fuel ash (PFA) to form a cementitious binder. The cementitious binder does not comprise any Portland cement and is, therefore, more environmentally friendly.

A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.