A modified bitumen composition includes bitumen and a multiplicity of silica particles. Each silica particle is coupled to an acid component. Treating a modified bitumen includes contacting the modified bitumen with a flow of air and removing the flow of air after a length of time when a penetration grade of the bitumen decreases to a specified value.

A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.

A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.

The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable extruded board product for use in surface coverings. The board product may be a basalt casting powder-based product for use as a substrate for wall or other surface coverings or may be used as a core layer in a modular floor covering unit. The modular floor covering unit comprises multiple layers. The layers are a thin cut stone veneer layer, a core layer with a density similar to that of the thin cut stone veneer layer, and an optional magnetically receptive underlayment layer. Other layers or combinations of layers may also be used.

The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable extruded board product for use in surface coverings. The board product may be a basalt casting powder-based product for use as a substrate for wall or other surface coverings or may be used as a core layer in a modular floor covering unit. The modular floor covering unit comprises multiple layers. The layers are a thin cut stone veneer layer, a core layer with a density similar to that of the thin cut stone veneer layer, and an optional magnetically receptive underlayment layer. Other layers or combinations of layers may also be used.

This present invention relates to compositions to improve concrete using biochemical-producing microbes and/or byproducts synthesized by the microbes. The invention also relates to methods for enhancing the performance of the concrete with said microbial strains and/or their byproducts.

This present invention relates to compositions to improve concrete using biochemical-producing microbes and/or byproducts synthesized by the microbes. The invention also relates to methods for enhancing the performance of the concrete with said microbial strains and/or their byproducts.

A gypsum board is provided, including, a set gypsum core disposed between two cover sheets, the set gypsum core including a gypsum crystal matrix formed from at least water, stucco, and a foam, and the foam is formed from a blend of a first surfactant, a second surfactant and a third surfactant and water. Each surfactant is a distinct composition from the other surfactants.

A gypsum board is provided, including, a set gypsum core disposed between two cover sheets, the set gypsum core including a gypsum crystal matrix formed from at least water, stucco, and a foam, and the foam is formed from a blend of a first surfactant, a second surfactant and a third surfactant and water. Each surfactant is a distinct composition from the other surfactants.

A soundproofing material including a porous body having a cell structure and including inorganic fibers other than asbestos, wherein an average cell diameter is more than 300 μm and 1000 μm or less, a bulk density is 0.007 to 0.024 g/cm.sup.3, and a flow resistivity is 170,000 to 2,000,000 Ns/m.sup.4.