The invention relates to a mineral binder suitable for use in binding aggregate in a mineral mortar or concrete mixture, said binder comprising the following components:

a) at least 40 wt % of calcined kaolinitic clay and ultrafine crushed CDW,
wherein the ratio between calcined clay and ultrafine crushed CDW is between 3:7 and 1:1 (w/w),
b) optionally 2-50 wt. % of a chemical activator; and
wherein the calcined kaolinitic clay, the ultrafine crushed CDW and the optionally present chemical activator are present in a combined amount of at least 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the binder. The invention further relates to mineral mortar or concrete mixtures based on this mineral binder, as well as building units made from these mixtures.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cable comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive element, at least one composite layer surrounding the elongate electrically conductive element, the composite layer comprising a non-woven fibrous material impregnated by a geopolymer material, and at least one polymer sleeve surrounding the composite layer, the method using a tube of plastic material to facilitate the extrusion of the polymer sleeve around the composite layer.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cable comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive element, at least one composite layer surrounding the elongate electrically conductive element, the composite layer comprising a non-woven fibrous material impregnated by a geopolymer material, and at least one polymer sleeve surrounding the composite layer, the method using a tube of plastic material to facilitate the extrusion of the polymer sleeve around the composite layer.

The present invention relates to a geopolymer produced from a synthetic aluminosilicate. The synthetic aluminosilicate was produced by sol gel technology, heat treated and, later, activated using sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide in solution, having as a final product a synthetic geopolymer. The final product was submitted to CO.sub.2 adsorption analysis using thermogravimetry for adsorbed quantification. In addition to the pure geopolymer, it is also possible to produce the synthetic geopolymer with the addition of surfactant, or in the composite form with the addition of zeolite, or heat treated to form a zeolite or functionalized with amine, for example, to increase the adsorption capacity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A process for fireproofing materials, using the following steps: a) placing a material in contact with a viscoelastic suspension obtained by mixing a pozzolanic material with an alkaline activation solution having at least one soluble metal hydroxide; b) geopolymerizing the viscoelastic suspension; c) obtaining a fireproof material with a geopolymer.

A process for fireproofing materials, using the following steps: a) placing a material in contact with a viscoelastic suspension obtained by mixing a pozzolanic material with an alkaline activation solution having at least one soluble metal hydroxide; b) geopolymerizing the viscoelastic suspension; c) obtaining a fireproof material with a geopolymer.