Embodiments relate to use of graphite nanoplatelets (GnP) to enhance the mechanical and durability characteristics of cement that may be used as cement sheaths in wellbores of oil and gas wells. Generally, undesired permeability of cement is caused by diffusion of trapped oil and/or natural gas through the cementitious matrix of the cement, leading to material degradation of the cement. Methods disclosed involve using modified GnPs (having physically modified surfaces or chemically modified surfaces energies) to generate a cementitious nanocomposite with uniformly dispersed GnPs, which can effectively arrest the undesired diffusion mechanism. Modified GnPs can also increase the strength of interfacial adhesion (e.g., interfacial bonds and interfacial energies) between the GnP and the cement matrix (e.g., hydrations of the cement). Physical modification of GnP can involve non-covalent treatment techniques. Chemical modification of GnP can involve covalent treatment techniques.

A method for creating multifunctional cementitious composites that provide load-bearing and self-sensing properties. The method involves dispersing conductive nanomaterials (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes) into a polymer (e.g., latex) material from which a thin film is created and deposited (e.g., sprayed) onto aggregates, which after drying, can be incorporated with cementitious materials and desired liquids and cast, along with sufficient number of electrodes, into a form for curing. After curing, the resultant structure can be electrically tested through the electrodes, for structural characteristics, including determination of damage severity and location using back-calculation utilizing electrical resistance tomography (ERT), or electrical impedance tomography (EIT), to generate a spatial resistivity map (distribution).

A macro-cement and associated methods useful for preparing pastes, mortars, concretes and other cement-based materials having high workability, high density, and high strength are disclosed. A method of producing a macro-cement includes cement, supplemental cementitious materials (SCM's), including siliceous submicron-sized particles and nano-sized particles, and polymers in the form of liquid or dry chemical admixtures for concrete. The cement mixture may be used for making ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).

A macro-cement and associated methods useful for preparing pastes, mortars, concretes and other cement-based materials having high workability, high density, and high strength are disclosed. A method of producing a macro-cement includes cement, supplemental cementitious materials (SCM's), including siliceous submicron-sized particles and nano-sized particles, and polymers in the form of liquid or dry chemical admixtures for concrete. The cement mixture may be used for making ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).

In a method of producing nanoconcrete according the bottom-up approach of nano technology with the High-Energy Mixing of composition including cement, water, sand, additives and superplasticizers, the mixing is performed with flow of mixture characterized by Reynolds number and Power number in the range of 20-800 and 0.1-4.0 respectively with installation a disk horizontally into mixing assembly on the top layer of activated mixture coaxially with vertical axis of assembly and with the axis of impeller rotation on the adjustable level to avoid destroying created gel as a result of interruptions of process, to increase laminarity of the mixture flow, energy absorption by the mixture, and shear stress for creation additional quantity of the nanostructured Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) gel necessary for making nanoconcrete.

Disclosed is a method to produce composite materials, which contain customized mixes of nano- and/or micro-particles with tailored electromagnetic spectral properties, structural elements based thereon, in particular layers, but also bulk materials including inhomogeneous bulk materials. In some embodiments the IR-reflectivity is enhanced predominantly independently of reflectivity for visible wavelength. The enhanced IR-reflectivity is achieved by combining spectral properties from a plurality of nano- and/or micro-particles of distinct size distribution, shape distribution, chemical composition, crystal structure, and crystallinity distribution. This enables to approximate desired target spectra better than know solutions, which comprise only a single type of particles and/or an uncontrolled natural size distribution. Furthermore disclosed are methods of manufacturing such materials, including ceramics, clay, and concrete, as well as applications related to design and construction of buildings or other confined spaces.

A method and sealant to seal microcracks as small as 30 m by causing methyl methacrylate combined with one or more nanoparticles to flow into the microcrack to be sealed.

A jointless concrete slab set by pouring a concrete slurry includes a) a concrete mixture; b) a colloidal silica admixture; and c) at least one reinforcing fiber selected from the group of fibers. As the poured concrete slurry cures, the poured slurry hardens into a composite material slab, and the jointless concrete slab defines capillary structures that at least in part fill with silica particles and lime, to produce a gel structure of calcium silicate hydrate. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for placing a jointless fiberless slab. The process comprises the steps of a) preparing a concrete slurry; b) pouring the concrete slurry onto the substrate; and c) allowing the concrete slurry to cure. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to the product itself; namely, a jointless and/or fiberless concrete slab.

A macro-cement and associated methods useful for preparing pastes, mortars, concretes and other cement-based materials having high workability, high density, and high strength are disclosed. A method of producing a macro-cement includes cement, supplemental cementitious materials (SCM's), including siliceous submicron-sized particles and nano-sized particles, and polymers in the form of liquid or dry chemical admixtures for concrete. The cement mixture may be used for making ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).

A method of cementing a subterranean formation includes forming a cement composition comprising cementitious material, an aqueous base fluid, a nano-reinforcement particle suspension comprising a surfactant and nano-reinforcement particles such as single-wall carbon nanotubes or multi-wall carbon nanotubes; and pozzolanic material; introducing the cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. A method of making a cement composition includes combining cementitious material, an aqueous base fluid, a nano-reinforcement particle suspension comprising a surfactant, and a pozzolanic material, where the rate of hydration of the surfaces of the cementitious material is less retarded by the surfactant than an equivalent cement composition without pozzolanic material.