Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by extruding a mixture of mineral particles and a binder to form porous granule bodies, and algaecide is distributed in the pores. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules.

Water-based adhesive compositions are improved by the incorporation of hollow polymeric microspheres having outer surfaces coated with one or more barrier materials such as calcium carbonate particles. The adhesive compositions exhibit enhanced rheology, sprayability, drying time, tack and storage stability as compared to analogous adhesives that are not modified with coated hollow polymeric microspheres. Such compositions are useful as both contact adhesives as well as wet bonding one-way adhesives.

Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.

A method is described for the production of a manufactured article (20) constituted of an elastomeric polymer substrate, in selected zones of which there are deposits of particles of nanometric size of a metal or some other compound which create a region (24) of the polymeric element having desired electrical, biocompatibility and/or dielectric properties, and such that said properties are maintained even after numerous elastic deformations of the manufactured article; the invention also relates to functionalized elastomeric manufactured articles obtained by means of said method.

Solar-reflective roofing granules having deep-tone colors are formed by coating base mineral particles with a coating composition including an infrared-reflective pigment. Color is provided by a colored infrared pigment, a light-interference platelet pigment, or a metal oxide.

A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

A method is described for the production of a manufactured article (20) constituted of an elastomeric polymer substrate, in selected zones of which there are deposits of particles of nanometric size of a metal or some other compound which create a region (24) of the polymeric element having desired electrical, biocompatibility and/or dielectric properties, and such that said properties are maintained even after numerous elastic deformations of the manufactured article; the invention also relates to functionalized elastomeric manufactured articles obtained by means of said method.

An abrasive coating for a metal airfoil tip in a gas turbine engine may include a plurality of grit particles coated with a braze alloy material and configured for attachment to the airfoil tip. The braze alloy may be a nickel base, cobalt base or iron base braze alloy or mixtures thereof, or a titanium base braze alloy.

A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.