A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; casting the mixture in a continuous band; maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % relative to the stucco; and the density of the gypsum-based panel is greater than 700 kg/m.

A method for continuously forming gypsum-based panels of high fixing strength comprises the steps of: forming a mixture comprising stucco, non-pregelatinized migratory starch, glass fibre, fluidizer and water; casting the mixture in a continuous band; maintaining the band under conditions sufficient for the stucco to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum; cutting the band to form one or more wet panel precursors; and drying the wet panel precursor to form one or more gypsum-based panels. The weight ratio of water to stucco in the mixture is less than 0.7; the stucco is present in the mixture in an amount of over 60 wt % relative to the total solids content of the mixture; the starch is present in the mixture in an amount of over 3 wt % relative to the the stucco; the glass fibre is present in the mixture in an amount of over 1 wt % relative to the stucco; the fluidizer is is present in the mixture in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % relative to the stucco; and the density of the gypsum-based panel is greater than 700 kg/m.

Behavior of a flow of foam ejected to a gypsum slurry can be stabilized, and a relatively large amount of foam can be homogeneously or uniformly dispersed in the slurry. A mixer has a mixing area for preparing gypsum slurry, a slurry delivery section for delivering the slurry from the mixing area, and a feeding port for feeding foam to the slurry in the mixing area and/or the slurry delivery section under pressure. The slurry having the foam mixed therein is supplied to a production line for forming gypsum boards or gypsum-based boards. The feeding port is provided with a partition member dividing an ejecting region. The ejecting region is divided into a plurality of openings, which simultaneously eject the foam to the slurry.

Novel methods of fabricating porous structures (e.g., nanostructures) and resulting structures are disclosed. The novel methods use precision optics to cure a slurry made from one or more powders mixed with photopolymers. Pore size control preferably is achieved by controlling the powder size and powder loading in the slurry. As the disclosed methods are based on optics to control the thickness preferably without any mechanical movements, extreme tight thickness tolerance, as well as control of the profile structure, may be achieved. The novel disclosed methods are highly-cost effective with shorter manufacturing cycle time compared to conventional methods. Moreover, a supporting substrate may not be required as the resultant structure made by the novel fabrication techniques disclosed herein has enough strength to be free-standing.

Fresh concrete is treated with carbon dioxide prior to delivery to a product mold for forming concrete products. Carbon dioxide gas is directed through a manifold, which may be coupled to a feedbox or a hopper, upstream from the product mold. Treating the fresh concrete with the carbon dioxide gas while it is in a loose state prior to placement in the product mold may generally promote uniform and enhanced carbon dioxide uptake.

Fresh concrete is treated with carbon dioxide prior to delivery to a product mold for forming concrete products. Carbon dioxide gas is directed through a manifold, which may be coupled to a feedbox or a hopper, upstream from the product mold. Treating the fresh concrete with the carbon dioxide gas while it is in a loose state prior to placement in the product mold may generally promote uniform and enhanced carbon dioxide uptake.

An injection processes for obtaining spray nozzles, more particularly, a process for injecting ceramics (ceramic inserts) for manufacturing spray nozzles through the use of so-called water stop, with high dimensional accuracy and complex internal geometries by dividing the process into main steps such as: injection of the water stop in polymeric material, overinjecting of ceramics using the polymeric core and removing the core through chemical dissolution; and secondary steps such as: chemical debinding or water debinding, thermal debinding and sintering.

An injection processes for obtaining spray nozzles, more particularly, a process for injecting ceramics (ceramic inserts) for manufacturing spray nozzles through the use of so-called water stop, with high dimensional accuracy and complex internal geometries by dividing the process into main steps such as: injection of the water stop in polymeric material, overinjecting of ceramics using the polymeric core and removing the core through chemical dissolution; and secondary steps such as: chemical debinding or water debinding, thermal debinding and sintering.

A method for production of a gypsum fiberboard panel, has the following method steps: production of a mixture of calcined gypsum and fibers; application of the mixture to a gas-permeable and/or air-permeable and/or liquid-permeable conveyor that continuously moves in an advancing direction, at an advancing speed; pre-compaction of the mixture; wetting of the mixture with setting water; post-compaction of the mixture; pressing the mixture to form a gypsum fiberboard panel strand; cutting the gypsum fiberboard panel strand into individual gypsum fiberboard panels; drying the gypsum fiberboard panels; and if necessary, finishing and/or coating the dried gypsum fiberboard panels; wherein for pre-compaction, the mixture is sprayed with a water mist and has a partial vacuum applied to it. Furthermore, an apparatus produces a gypsum fiberboard panel, in particular by carrying out the method, and a gypsum fiberboard panel is produced using the method and/or using the apparatus.