A composition comprising at least one binder coated with at least one metallate additive according to formula 1: (RO).sub.m-M-(O.sub.a˜X.sub.b˜R′.sub.c˜Y.sub.d).sub.n (formula 1), wherein M is one of titanium and zirconium. The composition is particularly useful in producing treated binders and construction materials, wherein the resulting treated binders and construction materials have advantageous properties, such as increased strength. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the inventive composition, treated binders and construction materials.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). One of the methods includes obtaining first optical measurements of RCA particles as the RCA particles are conveyed past the first optical sensors; determining, based on the first measurements, an initial characterization of the RCA particles; iteratively performing a carbonation process on the RCA particles, obtaining second optical measurements of the RCA particles, and determining, from the second measurements, a second characterization of the RCA particles, wherein conditions of the carbonation process are initially set based on the initial characterization, and the conditions of the carbonation process are adjusted based on the second characterization; ceasing the iterative performance of the carbonation process in response to the second characterization meeting target carbonation characteristics; iteratively performing a densification process on the RCA particles, obtaining third optical measurements of the RCA particles, and determining, from the third measurements, a third characterization of the RCA particles, wherein conditions of the densification process are initially set based on the initial characterization or the second characterization, and the conditions of the densification process are adjusted based on the third characterization; and ceasing the iterative performance of the densification process in response to the third characterization meeting target densification characteristics.

The present invention relates in part to an alkali-silica reaction mitigation admixture comprising an organic or inorganic salt that provides an aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or iron cation. The present invention also relates to a method of mitigating the alkali-silica reaction in a concrete product. The invention is further related to kits comprising the alkali-silica mitigation admixture and an instruction booklet.

The present invention relates in part to an alkali-silica reaction mitigation admixture comprising an organic or inorganic salt that provides an aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or iron cation. The present invention also relates to a method of mitigating the alkali-silica reaction in a concrete product. The invention is further related to kits comprising the alkali-silica mitigation admixture and an instruction booklet.

The present invention relates in part to an alkali-silica reaction mitigation admixture comprising an organic or inorganic salt that provides an aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or iron cation. The present invention also relates to a method of mitigating the alkali-silica reaction in a concrete product. The invention is further related to kits comprising the alkali-silica mitigation admixture and an instruction booklet.

Granules for a roof coating, wherein said granules comprise particles that have a coating, wherein said coating comprises at least one layer of an inorganic powder in a binder, wherein said inorganic powder has a d50 grain size of from 0.5 to 25 μm, and wherein a hydrophobizing and/or oleophobizing agent is present on said coating.

A light weight geopolymer concrete, having a specific gravity less than 2.0, more typically between 1 and 1.3, is provided that has compressive strength comparable to or greater than ordinary Portland concrete. The light weight geopolymer concrete has low shrinkage, expansion, and cracking, and substantially no loss of compressive strength when exposed to high temperatures of 800° C. or greater, as would occur in a fire. To be useful as a load bearing member for general applications, such as residential housing, the compressive strength of the light-weight geopolymer concrete should be at least 10 MPa, preferably greater than 12 MPa, for example greater than 15 MPa. For more demanding uses, the compressive strength should be near or at the compressive strength of concrete, that is, greater than 20 MPa, preferably greater than 30 MPa, and optimally greater than 35 MPa. To be useful during and after a fire, the strength must not be reduced by more than 20%, preferably not less than 10%, optimally not reduced at all when exposed to heat up to 800° C. Embodiments of the invention include low-density high-temperature-resistant geopolymer concrete which increases load bearing strength when exposed to temperatures above 400° C., preferably at 800° C. Key constituents for forming most embodiments include a geopolymer source such as fly ash, a cement-coated expanded vermiculite, a fiber such as wollastonite, and soluble silicates such as alkali silicates.

Described herein is a polyion complex, including x mol of polycations and y mol of polyanions, x and y being integers from the range of 1 to 100 and x being ≤y or x being ≥y. Also described herein is a method for producing a polyion complex, an aqueous solution of a polyion complex obtained using the method, and the aqueous solution of a polyion complex itself. Also described herein is a method of using a polyion complex to modify the surface of polymer fibers and/or carbon fibers and a method for modifying the surface of polymer fibers and/or carbon fibers using an aqueous solution of the polyion complex. Also described herein are surface-modified polymer fibers and/or carbon fibers obtained using the method, the surface-modified polymer fibers and/or carbon fibers themselves, methods of use thereof to produce fiber-modified construction materials, and a fiber-modified construction material including same.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

Provided is a three-dimensional object formation method for forming a three-dimensional object by at least repeating: forming a powder material layer using a powder material for three-dimensional object formation containing a base material coated with an organic material; and hardening a predetermined region of the powder material layer by delivering a hardening liquid to the powder material layer formed in the formation of a powder material layer, where the hardening liquid contains a cross-linking agent cross-linkable with the organic material.