A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A refractory material for forming a refractory product includes a refractory component and a taggant having an amorphous or a crystalline solid dispersed within the refractory material. The taggant is configured to be distinguishable from the refractory component after heating of the refractory product between 300 degrees F. and 3500 degrees F. A method of reclaiming refractory material of a refractory lining constructed from different types of refractory products, the refractory lining having been subjected to temperatures in excess of 300 degrees F., includes demolishing the refractory lining to produce a mixture of refractory pieces of different types of refractory products. The mixture of refractory pieces is analyzed to detect the presence of one or more taggants, and the refractory pieces are sorted into groups based on the detected one or more taggants.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

Systems and methods are provided for materials, methods for making such materials, and apparatus and systems using such materials, which may be used for climate control, that is, cooling or warming using water evaporation and condensation to efficiently cool or warm living spaces, devices, and equipment with or without electricity and in any climate. The materials may comprise clay, carbon, and a metal, and may be formed, treated with water or other substances, and baked. The materials may be incorporated into apparatus and systems that provide cooling and/or heating.

A method and apparatus for producing a dental restoration with enhanced adhesive or bonding strength are disclosed. The dental restoration comprises a zirconia based crown and a porcelain layer built-up on a top surface of the zirconia based crown. The zirconia based crown is to be bonded to a top of an abutment tooth and has dimensions that are smaller than outer dimensions of the abutment tooth. A first surface of the zirconia based crown is configured to adhere to the abutment tooth and a second surface of the zirconia based crown is configured to receive the porcelain layer built-up. The first surface and the second surface of the zirconia based crown are treated with a surface treatment solution which includes at least nitric acid (HNO.sub.3), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2). Further, the zirconia based crown may be treated with an ultrasonic impact treatment in addition to the surface treatment of the zirconia based crown.

The invention relates to a high-performance compacted ceramic material, comprising between 40%-85% by weight of glassy phase, having a density between 2.3 and 3.0 g/cm3, and characterized in that it has an internal porosity of less than 4% by volume. This material is highly resistant to mechanical and chemical action, sparingly permeable and prevents staining, so it is ex tremely suitable as a building material, particularly for kitchen countertops.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

The present disclosure relates to a composite of sintered mullite reinforced corundum granules and a method for its preparation. The composite comprises mullite and corundum in an interlocking microstructure. The process for preparing the composite involves the steps of admixing the raw materials followed by sintering to obtain the composite comprising sintered mullite reinforced corundum granules.