The invention relates to a sleeper for the track superstructure, which is manufactured in one piece from a plastic material, with the sleeper having an elongated base shape with two end sections, which are connected by a middle section of the sleeper and held at a distance and on their upper side in each case one contact surface is provided for in each case one rail to be supported on the respective end section with a reinforcement extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeper being embedded into the middle section. In order to design such a plastic sleeper such that it has optimised strength and can be reliably manufactured even using cost-effective plastic/sand mixtures having a high proportion of sand, the invention proposes that the reinforcement extends over the length of the middle section, that the reinforcement is in each case anchored in the respective end section in an edge region of the end sections assigned to the middle section and in that the reinforcement is wholly or partially arranged in the upper quarter of the height of the sleeper.

Disclosed is a draining composition for a light-traffic road pavement, including: (a) a first granular layer having a percentage of communicating voids ranging 25-50%, including a binder and a granular mixture of which at least 80% by weight, relative to the total weight of the granular mixture, has a granular size distribution range 4-20 mm, the layer having a thickness suitable for the pavement's mechanical strength; (b) a second granular layer having main lower and upper surfaces, the main lower surface resting directly on the first granular matrix and the main upper surface in direct contact with the air, the second granular layer being a granular mixture not bound by a binder and of which at least 80% by weight, relative to the total weight of the granular mixture, has a granular size distribution range 2-14 mm, the second granular layer having a thickness appropriate for water accumulation.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials are provided. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4, 4′-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials are provided. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4, 4′-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and methods for molecular scale healing are provided. The composition can resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer can provide molecular scale healing in a structural defect. The methods for molecular scale healing can include heating a composition including a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The compositions have the ability to close macroscopic defects repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and methods for molecular scale healing are provided. The composition can resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer can provide molecular scale healing in a structural defect. The methods for molecular scale healing can include heating a composition including a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The compositions have the ability to close macroscopic defects repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A wall compound for use in all applications and particularly well-suited for joining adjacent wallboards. The compound includes a latex resin, a thickener, fibers, and a filler material. In some embodiments, the repair compound is configured to exhibit at least one of yield stress and pseudoplastic-type behavior. In some embodiments, the compound includes hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers of different morphologies. In some embodiments, the wall compound includes one or more associative thickeners.

An electrical grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive metal grounding plate, and a corrosion-protective jacket enclosing the grounding plate. The jacket is electrically conductive and water impermeable. The electrical grounding assembly further includes an electrically conductive line having a first end in electrical contact with the grounding plate and enclosed in the jacket, and an opposed second end outside of the jacket for connection to a structure to be electrically grounded.

An electrical grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive metal grounding plate, and a corrosion-protective jacket enclosing the grounding plate. The jacket is electrically conductive and water impermeable. The electrical grounding assembly further includes an electrically conductive line having a first end in electrical contact with the grounding plate and enclosed in the jacket, and an opposed second end outside of the jacket for connection to a structure to be electrically grounded.

An electrical grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive metal grounding plate, and a corrosion-protective jacket enclosing the grounding plate. The jacket is electrically conductive and water impermeable. The electrical grounding assembly further includes an electrically conductive line having a first end in electrical contact with the grounding plate and enclosed in the jacket, and an opposed second end outside of the jacket for connection to a structure to be electrically grounded.