A self-heating surface, system and method for use in a transportation network are described. The heated surface does not require electricity to generate heat as a heating source. The self-heating surface preferably forms one or more portions or sections of a transportation network, including pedestrian walkways, roads, railways, or airport runways. The self-heating surface comprises an inner heating member which is fully encapsulated by an outer shell material. The self-heating surface is designed to prevent or minimize accumulation of snow or ice upon the surface by providing a heated surface capable of melting any snow or ice falling on, resting on, or forming thereupon.

A deicing and snow melting device, for elevating the melting point of ice and snow, comprises of a plurality of pellets including an active ingredient. Each pellet of the plurality of pellets has at least an underside and a topside. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of chloride salts, organic compounds, alcohols or mixtures thereof. A base comprising a water-soluble sheet is joined to either one of the underside or topside of each pellet of the plurality of pellets. The base may define at least one hole through a top surface and bottom surface of the base allowing for easy dispersion of the active ingredient

Asphalt paving system and method involves the use of a primer, comprising hydrophobic microwave absorbing material mixed in a hydrophobic liquid, between an asphalt layer and a base layer below. The primer is configured to be deposited on the base layer at room temperature without preheating. Heating the hydrophobic microwave absorbing material, sandwiched between the asphalt and base layers, by microwave energy, allows for both effective de-icing of the asphalt pavement and for efficient repairs of the pavement, the latter by striping of the asphalt layer from the base layer.

A process and method of collecting, storing and utilizing the water that enters urban storm drainage systems for the purpose of utilization and reuse. Step 1 is the existing urban storm water system in an urban area. Step 2 in this process and method that store the urban storm water also serve to provide initial levels of treatment. At Step 3 is where water is diverted based on commercial versus residential water needs. Step 4.a is where water enters commercial facilities and is treated according to each commercial consumer's needs. Step 4.b is where both treated commercial waste water and water from Step 2 can be stored in subsurface geology, where some water quality treatment will occur. At Step 4, commercial facilities may also extract water for reuse. Treatment for human consumption at Step 5 would be decided by relevant government laws and regulations. This process and method has been designed to collect, store and allow for the utilization of urban storm water for the purpose of keeping polluted urban storm water out of naturally occurring bodies of water, reduce or eliminate the extraction of water from natural sources, which helps restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem. Example calculations show that in Mumbai, India, the average yearly amount of water that enters the urban storm system is greater than the combined annual average of potable and industrial needs for the city of Mumbai. In other cities, average annual precipitation that enters the urban storm drainage system of many cities provides at least half of the combined annual average of potable and industrial water needs.

A high friction surface coating comprising a resin and an aggregate, the aggregate comprising a blend of calcined bauxite and particles of sandstone and/or Tuff. Optionally, the particles of sandstone and/or Tuff in the aggregate may be from the Paleozoic era, including the Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian periods.

A high friction surface coating comprising a resin and an aggregate, the aggregate comprising a blend of calcined bauxite and particles of sandstone and/or Tuff. Optionally, the particles of sandstone and/or Tuff in the aggregate may be from the Paleozoic era, including the Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian periods.

System for electrically grounding a reusable load-supporting surface includes at least two mats and a plurality of substantially planar, removable, electrically-conductive covers. Each cover extends at least partially across the top face of one of the mats without extending over any of the edges thereof and is flexibly coupled to the mat sufficient to allow the mat to flex, expand and contract relative to the cover due to environmental factors and the movement of personnel, vehicles and/or equipment across the load-supporting surface during normal, typical or expected use conditions.

System for electrically grounding a reusable load-supporting surface includes at least two mats and a plurality of substantially planar, removable, electrically-conductive covers. Each cover extends at least partially across the top face of one of the mats without extending over any of the edges thereof and is flexibly coupled to the mat sufficient to allow the mat to flex, expand and contract relative to the cover due to environmental factors and the movement of personnel, vehicles and/or equipment across the load-supporting surface during normal, typical or expected use conditions.

A fluid deposition system is provided. The system comprises one or more electronic processors, and one or more electronic memories each electrically connected to at least one of the one or more processors and having instructions stored therein. The processor(s) is/are configured to access the memory or memories and execute the instructions stored therein such that the processor(s) is/are configured to: determine whether one or more predetermined criteria are met for initiating deposition of fluid onto an area of interest; when it is determined that the criteria is/are met, determine one or more operating parameters of the fluid deposition system to use in the deposition of the fluid onto the area of interest; and following the determination of the operating parameter(s), generate one or more electrical signals to cause the fluid to be deposited onto the area of interest in accordance with the determined parameter(s).

An integral melter and pump assembly or system, and a method of making the same, is disclosed wherein the pump assembly comprises a melter housing having a melter container defined within the melter housing. A pump mounting plate is integrally mounted within a side wall portion of the melter container and an output dispensing supply pump is mounted directly upon an external surface portion of the pump mounting plate in a surface-to-surface manner such that heat generated internally within the melter container is effectively transferred by conduction from the melter container and through the pump mounting plate such that the temperature level of the output pump is elevated to, and maintained at, a predeterminedly desired level even when the pump, is not disposed in its output dispensing mode. In addition, since the output dispensing or material supply pump is disposed externally of the melter container and the melter housing, the output dispensing or material supply pump is easily and readily accessible in case maintenance becomes necessary. Optionally, an oil jacket or chamber can surround the melter container so as to more evenly or consistently provide heating of the melter container.