Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture; allowing gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture; and cooling the formed gel with a cooling system to control reaction rate.

An apparatus for curing concrete includes a multiple layer polyolefin film and an absorbent layer. The polyolefin film layer can include pH modifying components and antiskid components. The absorbent layer can also include pH modifying components. The absorbent layer can include nonwoven fabric. The apparatus can be applied to curing concrete after hydration water is applied to the curing concrete. The apparatus can also be used to enclose poured concrete members during transport of the members so as to continue the curing process during transport. The film can also be used as a barrier layer between the ground and poured concrete.

An apparatus for curing concrete includes a multiple layer polyolefin film and an absorbent layer. The polyolefin film layer can include pH modifying components and antiskid components. The absorbent layer can also include pH modifying components. The absorbent layer can include nonwoven fabric. The apparatus can be applied to curing concrete after hydration water is applied to the curing concrete. The apparatus can also be used to enclose poured concrete members during transport of the members so as to continue the curing process during transport. The film can also be used as a barrier layer between the ground and poured concrete.

A concrete curing blanket that includes a vapor barrier layer, a wicking layer, and pH-indicator, such as turmeric or Phenol Red incorporated into the concrete curing blanket. The pH-indicator may be a power or prills attached to the vapor barrier, the wicking layer, or another layer of the concrete curing blanket. Alternatively, the pH-indicator may be a series of ribbons or strips attached to the vapor barrier, the wicking layer, or another layer of the concrete curing blanket. As another alternative, the pH-indicator may be a matrix of discontinuous patches attached to the vapor barrier, the wicking layer, or another layer of the concrete curing blanket. As another alternative, the vapor barrier may include perforations.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for continuous manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture onto a moving element; allowing gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture; and cooling the formed gel with a cooling system, thereby reducing the rate of solvent evaporation therefrom.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for continuous manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture onto a moving element; allowing gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture; and cooling the formed gel with a cooling system, thereby reducing the rate of solvent evaporation therefrom.

To provide a sheet and a system for curing concrete, in which the moisture amount to be used is small and which are able to reduce temporal and local variations in the moisture amount supplied to the concrete surface, a concrete curing method, and a method for producing a concrete structure. There is provided a concrete curing sheet of some embodiments of the present disclosure having a solid structure group on at least a first surface, the solid structure group having grooves defined between adjacent solid structures, and the grooves transporting water using the capillary phenomenon.

To provide a sheet and a system for curing concrete, in which the moisture amount to be used is small and which are able to reduce temporal and local variations in the moisture amount supplied to the concrete surface, a concrete curing method, and a method for producing a concrete structure. There is provided a concrete curing sheet of some embodiments of the present disclosure having a solid structure group on at least a first surface, the solid structure group having grooves defined between adjacent solid structures, and the grooves transporting water using the capillary phenomenon.

A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.), facilitating its removal from the surface of the concrete once the concrete has cured and enabling further treatment of the surface without undue delay.

A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.), facilitating its removal from the surface of the concrete once the concrete has cured and enabling further treatment of the surface without undue delay.