A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly comprises a frame assembly and an outer foam layer. The outer foam layer is coupled to the frame assembly. The outer foam layer extends from the frame assembly to an exterior surface of the outer foam layer. The exterior surface of the outer foam layer is configured to receive the exterior covering of the building. The outer foam layer comprises a plurality of particles and a binder that define a plurality of pathways. The pathways extend vertically through the prefabricated wall assembly from the top member to the bottom member of the frame assembly for allowing airflow and drainage between the frame assembly and the exterior covering.

A panel is disclosed for use in insulating an edifice that includes a first pane, a second pane in engagement with the first pane so as to define a channel there between configured and dimensioned for drainage and air flow, a clip in engagement with the first and second panes, and an insulator including an upper portion that is positioned within the clip. A system for use in insulating an edifice includes identical panels, wherein the insulator of one panel is positionable within the clip of another panel to connect the panels together. A panel clip for use in insulating an edifice includes a first arm defining an outer surface with a plurality of connectors, a saddle extending from the first arm, and a second arm connected to the saddle opposite the first arm such that the clip is generally H-shaped in configuration.

An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

A panel is disclosed for use in insulating an edifice that includes a first pane, a second pane in engagement with the first pane so as to define a channel therebetween configured and dimensioned for drainage and air flow, a clip in engagement with the first and second panes, and an insulator including an upper portion that is positioned within the clip. A system for use in insulating an edifice includes identical panels, wherein the insulator of one panel is positionable within the clip of another panel to connect the panels together. A panel clip for use in insulating an edifice includes a first arm defining an outer surface with a plurality of connectors, a saddle extending from the first arm, and a second arm connected to the saddle opposite the first arm such that the clip is generally H-shaped in configuration.

A thermally conductive composite element is particularly suited for use in a surface heating system or in a surface cooling system. The composite element has at least one main part which contains expanded graphite and at least one flat textile structure disposed on one face of the main part. The textile structure is connected to the face of the main part by an inorganic adhesive.

A method for fabricating a composite construction element, used to construct buildings, bridges or similar structures, using a computer-controlled apparatus. The method involves providing computer instructions derived from a 3D model of a composite construction element to the apparatus, selectively operating the apparatus to fabricate a core from a first building material, selectively applying a settable second building material to the core to form a skin thereon, and at least partially curing the skin to form a shell at least partially enclosing the core, the core and shell thereby forming the composite construction element.

An arrangement for the medical care of a patient. The arrangement includes a total set of supply ports (22.1, 30.1), a frame (20), at least one detachably mountable wall panel (11.1, 11.4) and a respective wall panel fastening unit for each detachably mountable wall panel (11.1, 11.4). Each detachably mountable wall panel (11.1, 11.4) can be detachably fastened to the frame (20). The total set of supply ports (22.1, 30.1) provides the supply media, which all the medical devices need for intensive care. With the detachably mountable wall panels (11.1, 11.4) fastened to the frame (20), a remaining set of supply ports (22.1) remains free. This remaining set is capable of supplying the medical devices that are needed for normal care.

An insulation wall is constructed from insulation plates. The edge sides of the insulation plates are provided with edge connecting elements such as a tongue, a groove or a ridge for forming a tongue and groove joint or a half lap joint between adjacent insulation plates in the insulation wall. At least one drainage channel is provided through the insulation wall for draining away moisture that has penetrated between the insulation plates into the insulation wall. This at least one drainage channel includes adjoining drainage channel sections which are provided in the longitudinal direction on the edge connecting elements of the interconnected insulation plates.

There is provided a frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate. The frame has inner and outer sides, with the inner side of the frame being shaped to inhibit pooling of fluid thereon according to one aspect. The frame includes a series of longitudinally-extending channels with outer surfaces thereof shaped to angle fluid away and/or outwards therefrom according to another aspect. According to an additional aspect: surfaces of the frame along an inner side of the frame between an inner end and a central portion of the frame are shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the inner end of the frame; and surfaces of the frame along the inner side of the frame between an outer end of the frame and the central portion of the frame are shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the outer end thereof.

There is provided a wall panel assembly including a wall panel with one or more weep holes extending through a bottom side portion thereof. The wall panel assembly includes a frame coupled to the bottom side portion of the wall panel. The frame has one or more weep holes in fluid communication with the weep holes and inner side of the wall panel according to one aspect. The weep holes of the wall panel are offset from and/or longitudinally align with the weep holes of the frame according to another aspect. The frame includes a drainage gutter cavity or channel in fluid communication with the weep holes of the frame and wall panel according to another aspect. The channel includes a pair of side portions with longitudinally-extending ridges and grooves thereon and a closed end portion with the weep holes of the frame extending therethrough according to a further aspect.