The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive (DRA) that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. More specifically, this dust reduction additive is of sufficiently lighter shade to not impact the shade of the joint compound upon addition. In one embodiment, this invention relates to a non-foaming dust reduction additive that comprises paraffin and/or micro-crystalline wax-based emulsion.

An additive for use with concrete mixtures, comprising a colorant, wherein the colorant further comprises a pigment having a predetermined color, and wherein the inorganic pigment is suspended in a solution that comprises a predetermined percent by weight of water; a predetermined percent by weight of dispersant; and a predetermined percent by weight of defoamer; and a concrete densification agent into which the colorant is mixed, wherein the concrete densification agent further comprises a predetermined percent by weight of water; a predetermined percent by weight of a densifier; a predetermined percent by weight of a water repellant; a predetermined percent by weight of a defoamer; a predetermined percent by weight of urea; a predetermined percent by weight of a freeze-thaw stabilizer; and a predetermined percent by weight of a thickener.

A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.

A water-adaptive cement self-healing system, a preparation method and an application thereof are provided. A pH-triggered shell curing agent, an inorganic nano-emulsifier, and a polysaccharide shell material are added into deionized water to obtain an aqueous phase; an active diluent of epoxy is added to an epoxy to obtain a first oil phase; the aqueous phase is mixed with the first oil phase to obtain an oil/water emulsion; a surfactant is added into paraffin oil to obtain a second oil phase; the second oil phase is mixed with the oil/water emulsion to obtain an oil/water/oil emulsion; an acidic liquid is added into the oil/water/oil emulsion dropwise to obtain a solid, followed by centrifuging, washing, and freeze-drying to obtain a self-healing capsule; and then an epoxy curing agent is mixed with the self-healing capsule to obtain the water-adaptive cement self-healing system based on an oil/water/oil double-emulsion template.

The present invention provides compositions and methods relative to controlling hydration onset of an alkaline earth metal oxide such as calcium oxide, comprising heating an inorganic alkaline earth metal oxide to sub-calcination temperatures in the presence of organic material comprising a carbohydrate, an amino-carboxylic acid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. Preferred treated particles comprise at least 40% and more preferably at least 80% by dry weight calcium oxide which is heated in the presence of ascorbic acid and a starch. Treated particles of the present invention manifest an unexpected, surprising hydration induction postponement behavior as demonstrated through calorimetric testing.

The present invention provides compositions and methods relative to controlling hydration onset of an alkaline earth metal oxide such as calcium oxide, comprising heating an inorganic alkaline earth metal oxide to sub-calcination temperatures in the presence of organic material comprising a carbohydrate, an amino-carboxylic acid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. Preferred treated particles comprise at least 40% and more preferably at least 80% by dry weight calcium oxide which is heated in the presence of ascorbic acid and a starch. Treated particles of the present invention manifest an unexpected, surprising hydration induction postponement behavior as demonstrated through calorimetric testing.

A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.

Cement paste compositions including modified cellulose nanomaterials such as modified cellulose nanocrystals and modified cellulose nanofibers, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the cement paste compositions include from about 0.005 volume % to about 1.5 volume % modified cellulose nanomaterial.

The present invention relates to amino acid-containing sizing compositions for glass fibers, to glass fibers at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, to a variety of fiber glass products at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, and to composite materials comprising glass fibers at least partially coated with such sizing compositions. In one non-limiting embodiments, a sizing composition for glass fibers comprises an amino acid, a protein, or a hydrolyzed protein. A sizing composition for glass fibers, in another non-limiting embodiment, comprises an amino acid, a protein, or a hydrolyzed protein, at least one film-former, and at least one silane.

The present invention relates to amino acid-containing sizing compositions for glass fibers, to glass fibers at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, to a variety of fiber glass products at least partially coated with such sizing compositions, and to composite materials comprising glass fibers at least partially coated with such sizing compositions. In one non-limiting embodiments, a sizing composition for glass fibers comprises an amino acid, a protein, or a hydrolyzed protein. A sizing composition for glass fibers, in another non-limiting embodiment, comprises an amino acid, a protein, or a hydrolyzed protein, at least one film-former, and at least one silane.