Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the core comprises first ceramic particles bound together with a first inorganic binder, wherein the first inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the shell comprises at least a first concentric layer, wherein the first layer comprises a second inorganic binder and optionally second ceramic particles, wherein if present the second ceramic particles are bound together with the second inorganic binder, wherein the second inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein for a given granule, the first ceramic particles are present in a first weight percent with respect to the total weight of the core and the second ceramic particles, if present in the first layer of the same granule are in a second weight percent with respect to the total weight of the first layer, wherein for a given granule, the first weight percent is greater than the second weight percent, and wherein the granules have a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

A switchable light transmission module is disclosed that includes a substrate having a first surface defining at least part of an enclosed volume, a porous layer disposed on the first surface and in fluid communication with the enclosed volume, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. The reservoir is configured to supply a fluid to the sealed volume such that the fluid contacts the porous layer. The fluid has a refractive index that is close to the refractive index of the porous layer, has a high wettability for the porous layer, and does not dissolve the porous layer. When in a dry state, voids in the porous layer are filled with air which has a much different refractive index than the porous layer itself, resulting in a surface that is reflective and not very transmissive. During wetting of the porous layer by the fluid, however, those voids are filled with the fluid, reducing the difference in refractive index across the polymer-fluid interfaces such that light scattering is negligible and the surface becomes light permeable.

A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

It is disclosed an elastomeric latex comprising (a) a copolymer, the copolymer comprising a reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature less than −20.deg. C.; (ii) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature greater than 40.deg. C.; (iii) an N-methylol functional ethylenically unsatured monomer; and (iv) an adhesion promoter comprising an ethylenically unsaturated alkoxysilane monomer; and (b) an aqueous medium.

It is disclosed an elastomeric latex comprising (a) a copolymer, the copolymer comprising a reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature less than −20.deg. C.; (ii) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature greater than 40.deg. C.; (iii) an N-methylol functional ethylenically unsatured monomer; and (iv) an adhesion promoter comprising an ethylenically unsaturated alkoxysilane monomer; and (b) an aqueous medium.

A latex emulsion that includes an aqueous carrier liquid and a latex copolymer formed from reactants comprising butyl methacrylate, wherein the reactants comprise at least 20 wt. % a vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the latex copolymer. A homopolymer formed from the vinyl monomer preferably exhibits a glass transition temperature of between about −10° C. and about 30° C. A coating formed from the latex emulsion preferably exhibits a dry adhesion of greater than about 4 pounds per linear inch when applied between a thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane and a plywood roofing substrate at an average coat weight of about 6 lbs/100 ft.sup.2 and subjected to 180° peel testing according to ASTM D903 with a 2-inch per minute pull rate. The latex emulsion may include a second latex copolymer or stage, and may be used as part of an aqueous adhesive composition.

A latex emulsion that includes an aqueous carrier liquid and a latex copolymer formed from reactants comprising butyl methacrylate, wherein the reactants comprise at least 20 wt. % a vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the latex copolymer. A homopolymer formed from the vinyl monomer preferably exhibits a glass transition temperature of between about −10° C. and about 30° C. A coating formed from the latex emulsion preferably exhibits a dry adhesion of greater than about 4 pounds per linear inch when applied between a thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane and a plywood roofing substrate at an average coat weight of about 6 lbs/100 ft.sup.2 and subjected to 180° peel testing according to ASTM D903 with a 2-inch per minute pull rate. The latex emulsion may include a second latex copolymer or stage, and may be used as part of an aqueous adhesive composition.

A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.

A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.