In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO.sub.2, H.sub.2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al.sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO.sub.2, H.sub.2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al.sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.5(OH).sub.4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

The disclosure relates to embodiments of a thixotropic, non-cementitious, thermal grout and applications or methods of use of the grout related to horizontal directional drilling, trenchless technology, trenching, and installation of pipe, conduits, ducts, utility lines, and other product lines which may, e.g., be in trenches, underground, or under obstacles, such as a body of water or roadways.

The disclosure relates to embodiments of a thixotropic, non-cementitious, thermal grout and applications or methods of use of the grout related to horizontal directional drilling, trenchless technology, trenching, and installation of pipe, conduits, ducts, utility lines, and other product lines which may, e.g., be in trenches, underground, or under obstacles, such as a body of water or roadways.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.

A method of making a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete is described. The concrete has a coarse aggregate partly replaced by recycled plastic pieces. This enables the concrete to maintain a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, and low weight, while providing a use for waste plastic. The waste plastic pieces may comprise polyethylene in the form of flakes, fibers, or granules. Due to its low unit weight, adequate compressive strength and high thermal resistance the developed concrete can be used as a structural lightweight and thermal insulating concrete. The use of this concrete leads to economic and environmental benefits.