A method for creating multifunctional cementitious composites that provide load-bearing and self-sensing properties. The method involves dispersing conductive nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes) into a polymer (e.g., latex) material from which a thin film is created and deposited (e.g., sprayed) onto aggregates, which after drying, can be incorporated with cementitious materials and desired liquids and cast, along with sufficient number of electrodes, into a form for curing. After curing, the resultant structure can be electrically tested through the electrodes, for structural characteristics, including determination of damage severity and location using back-calculation utilizing electrical resistance tomography (ERT), or electrical impedance tomography (EIT), to generate a spatial resistivity map (distribution).

A method for creating multifunctional cementitious composites that provide load-bearing and self-sensing properties. The method involves dispersing conductive nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes) into a polymer (e.g., latex) material from which a thin film is created and deposited (e.g., sprayed) onto aggregates, which after drying, can be incorporated with cementitious materials and desired liquids and cast, along with sufficient number of electrodes, into a form for curing. After curing, the resultant structure can be electrically tested through the electrodes, for structural characteristics, including determination of damage severity and location using back-calculation utilizing electrical resistance tomography (ERT), or electrical impedance tomography (EIT), to generate a spatial resistivity map (distribution).

An engineered stone includes a light transmitting mother material (I) and a phosphorescent chip (II). The light transmitting mother material (I) includes about 7 wt % to about 12 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 88 wt % to about 93 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 0.01 part by weight to about 1 part by weight of an organic/inorganic pigment (C) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A). The phosphorescent chip (II) includes about 8 wt % to about 15 wt % of an unsaturated polyester resin (A), about 85 wt % to about 92 wt % of a silica-containing compound (B) and about 2 parts by weight to about 10 parts by weight of a phosphorescent pigment (D) based on about 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin (A).

A method for creating multifunctional cementitious composites that provide load-bearing and self-sensing properties. The method involves dispersing conductive nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes) into a polymer (e.g., latex) material from which a thin film is created and deposited (e.g., sprayed) onto aggregates, which after drying, can be incorporated with cementitious materials and desired liquids and cast, along with sufficient number of electrodes, into a form for curing. After curing, the resultant structure can be electrically tested through the electrodes, for structural characteristics, including determination of damage severity and location using back-calculation utilizing electrical resistance tomography (ERT), or electrical impedance tomography (EIT), to generate a spatial resistivity map (distribution).

A method for manufacturing unitized formed mineral-based construction materials includes providing starting materials of an aggregate, a cementing agent, a sublimation agent and water. The sublimation agent (between 25% and 50% by weight of the cementing agent) is selected from molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, vanadium disulfide, copper sulfate, and combinations thereof. The method includes mixing the starting materials to achieve a mixture, placing the mixture into a form, and curing the mixture in the form for a time to allow the mixture to become a solidified unit defined by a minimum dimension of thickness, length, width or diameter. The method further includes placing the solidified unit into a kiln, heating the kiln to a temperature of 11151350 C., maintaining the kiln at the temperature for between 10-60 minutes per centimeter of the minimum dimension, and removing the solidified unit from the kiln.

Cementitious compositions comprising a hydraulic cementitious material, a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxy aromatic compound, a polycarboxylic acid-containing compound or a salt thereof, ascorbic acid or a salt thereof, or a combination thereof, and a particulate material or a water soluble silicate-containing material that interacts with the compound are described herein. The polyhydroxy aromatic compound can be a water soluble compound having from two to thirty hydroxyl groups. The particulate material can exhibit a particle size distribution, wherein at least about 90% by weight of the particles have a diameter of less than 2 mm. Suitable particulate materials include nanoparticles and microparticles. The cementitious compositions can be used to form building materials. The cementitious compositions are especially suited for inhibiting corrosion of reinforcing steel bars embedded in concrete mixtures. Methods of making and using the cementitious composition are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a powder adhesive composition comprising: (a) cement; (b) a dispersible polymer powder; and (c) at least 10% volume of the powder adhesive is an expanded perlite; wherein said cement is at a ratio of between 600-1000% of the mass of the expanded perlite; and wherein the powder adhesive composition is an adhesive, and the adhesion strength of the adhesive, is over 0.4 MPa, after 28 days, and after water immersion for at least 20 days.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a non-oxide silicon containing component, a water soluble phosphate component, a metal oxide ceramic component, a polysaccharide component and water to 100% w/w. This composition can be transformed into a cement that holds individual honey comb filter segments of a honey comb filter together.

A powder adhesive composition having cement, a dispersible polymer powder; and at least 10% volume of the powder adhesive is an expanded perlite. The cement is at a ratio of between 600-1000% of the mass of the expanded perlite. The powder adhesive composition is an adhesive, and the adhesion strength of the adhesive, is over 0.4 MPa, after 28 days, and after water immersion for at least 20 days.

The present disclosure relates generally to building materials, such as building boards, having improved strength and reduced shrinkage. More particularly, the present disclosure provides building compositions comprising Struvite-K (KMgPO.sub.46 H.sub.2O), Syngenite (K.sub.2Ca(SO.sub.4).sub.2H.sub.2O), and one or more silicate additives suitable for use in building materials.