A mortar composition, in particular for preparing a viscoelastic structure and/or a fire barrier, including: a) 15-50 wt.-% of a hydraulic binder, b) 5-35 wt.-% of lightweight aggregates, c) 5-25 wt. % of further aggregates which have a particle density that is higher than the particle density of the lightweight aggregates, and d) 10-50 wt.-% of a polymer.

A mortar composition, in particular for preparing a viscoelastic structure and/or a fire barrier, including: a) 15-50 wt.-% of a hydraulic binder, b) 5-35 wt.-% of lightweight aggregates, c) 5-25 wt. % of further aggregates which have a particle density that is higher than the particle density of the lightweight aggregates, and d) 10-50 wt.-% of a polymer.

Disclosed herein are coated gemstones, coatings for gemstones, methods of coating gemstones, and methods of using coatings on gemstones to avoid blemishes on gemstones. In some embodiments, diamonds are functionalized with anchor molecules that bind hydrophilic cyclodextrin molecules to confer hydrophilicity on the diamond. In some embodiments, the diamonds resist dirt and grime build-up.

Disclosed herein are coated gemstones, coatings for gemstones, methods of coating gemstones, and methods of using coatings on gemstones to avoid blemishes on gemstones. In some embodiments, diamonds are functionalized with anchor molecules that bind hydrophilic cyclodextrin molecules to confer hydrophilicity on the diamond. In some embodiments, the diamonds resist dirt and grime build-up.

A method for preparing a graphene-nanosheets based concrete additive is disclosed. The method comprises mixing Polycarboxylate ether A (PCE-A) to a retarder - based salt solution to obtain a retarder-based Polycarboxylate ether A solution. In the next step, a retarder based PCE solution is obtained by adding Polycarboxylate ether B to the retarder based Polycarboxylate ether A solution to which graphene nanosheets are added. Further, an air entrainment agent is added to graphene nanosheets based PCE solution and further mixed to obtain the graphene nanosheets based concrete additive.

A carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid material that includes a blend comprising a catalyst supported on at least one of a metal, metalloid, metal oxide or carbon support, and at least one material selected from the group of materials consisting of: cementitious materials, materials used in the production of cementitious materials, and materials used to enhance cementitious materials, and CNT on the blend.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

This invention provides in one aspect compositions that improve the corrosion-resistance of cementitious materials. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention inhibit the growth of acidophilic bacteria thriving in/on cementitious material.

Methods for making carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites are provided. The methods produce metakaolin-based geopolymer composites in which multiwalled carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers are well dispersed in an metakaolin-based geopolymer matrix. The mixing protocols of the methods used to produce carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites produce composites with reduced porosity, high elastic moduli, high strength, and/or high fracture toughness.

The invention provides a high temperature resistant Portland cement slurry and a production method thereof. The high temperature resistant Portland cement slurry comprises the following components by weight: 100 parts of an oil well Portland cement, 60-85 parts of a high temperature reinforcing material, 68-80 parts of fresh water, 1-200 parts of a density adjuster, 0.1-1.5 parts of a suspension stabilizer, 0.8-1.5 parts of a dispersant, 3-4 parts of a fluid loss agent, 0-3 parts of a retarder and 0.2-0.8 part of a defoamer. The high temperature resistant Portland cement slurry has a good sedimentation stability at normal temperature, and develops strength rapidly at a low temperature. The compressive strength is up to 40 MPa or more at a high temperature of 350° C., and the long-term high-temperature compressive strength develops stably without degradation. Therefore, it can meet the requirements for field application in heavy oil thermal recovery wells, reaching the level of Grade G Portland cement for cementing oil and gas wells.