Methods for repair of cracks and niches in concrete using carbonic anhydrase embedded in a gelatin, hydrogel, or other aqueous matrix are provided. A durable corrosion resistant concrete mix containing carbonic anhydrase is provided, as are methods of making and using the durable corrosion resistant concrete. Corrosion resistance and durability derive from decreased porosity compared to concrete without the enzyme, conferring decreased access of deleterious materials such as chloride ions to interior portions of the concrete.

A method of sealing propagating cracks in a sensor-laden cement sheath comprising the steps of monitoring an electrical resistivity of the sensor-laden cement sheath to produce a measured value, wherein the sensor-laden cement sheath comprises a conductive sensor, an on-demand expanding agent, and a cement, activating a heat source when the measured value of the electrical resistivity is greater than an activation threshold, increasing a temperature of the sensor-laden cement sheath with the heat source to an activation temperature, wherein the activation temperature is operable to initiate a reaction between the on-demand expanding agent and water, wherein the activation temperature is greater than a formation temperature, reacting the on-demand expanding agent with water to produce a swelled agent, wherein the swelled agent occupies a greater volume than the on-demand expanding agent, and sealing the propagating cracks in the sensor-laden cement sheath with the swelled agent.

A free-flowing powder composition includes at least one substrate having pores and an external surface between said pores, said surface functionalized with at least one accelerator for a hydraulic setting composition, said accelerator being liquid, hygroscopic, or deliquescent, and wherein after 15 minutes of immersion of free-flowing powder composition in water at 20° C. at least 80% in weight of said accelerator is solubilized, said free-flowing powder composition being immersed in an amount of water sufficient so that the saturation concentration of said accelerator cannot be reached. There is also a method for preparing said free-flowing powder composition. The use of said free-flowing powder composition as an additive for mortar or concrete composition provides an accelerating effect, an anti-ageing effect and an anti-dusting effect. A dry mortar or concrete composition includes a hydraulic binder, said free-flowing powder composition and a granulate, wet mortar or concrete composition and hardened body obtained therefrom.

The present invention relates to a photoluminescent cementitious composition suitable for use in safety signs in accordance with DIN 67510-1 standard, characterized by including a hydraulic binder, an aggregate and/or a filler and at least a photoluminescent pigment selected from strontium aluminates or silicates doped with rare earths selected from europium and dysprosium. The invention also relates to the use of a photoluminescent pigment in the manufacturing of concrete articles with aesthetic quality given by persistent photoluminescent properties.

A one-component type polyurethane resin composition for preventing detachment of concrete pieces and tiles containing an isocyanate group-containing urethane prepolymer (A) and a thixotropy-imparting agent (B), and a method for forming a reinforcing layer on a surface of a concrete structure or tiled wall containing a resin coated film composed thereof, in order to provide a one-component type polyurethane resin composition for preventing detachment of concrete pieces and tiles, which has improved workability by being able to be applied with a trowel or brush, forms a transparent resin coated film after reactive curing that has improved weather resistance without applying a top coat, facilitates diagnosis of deterioration of concrete by being carried out visually during maintenance of concrete structures, is able to maintain the existing appearance of the tiled exteriors of buildings and other structures and eliminates dispersion to surrounding areas during application.

The present invention refers to a base formulation which serves to form a final product intended for the repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of concrete structures. Primarily, the base formulation contains cement in a percentage of 35% to 45% by weight of the final product. The base formulation also possesses amorphous glass in a proportion of 20% to 30% by weight of the final product, in ground from common glass, recycled glass or soda-lime glass. Finally, the base formulation may further possess solid quartz microspheres in a proportion of 10% to 20% by weight of the final product. This provides the final product with many desirable properties, such as high mechanical strength; high chemical resistance; easier application; easier ability to polish; prevents cold seals, leaving the final product thermally and dimensionally stable, among other desirable properties. The final products may include concrete correctors, waterproofing agents, coatings, among others.

A nano-modified dry-mixed alkali-activated cementitious, or one-part geopolymer cement (OPgC), material with high early strength is provided for rapid repair of cement-based infrastructure components. The OPgC may include an aluminosilicate rich material, an alkali material and a nano-modifier, and optionally include other functional admixtures and fibers. The OPgC can be freshly mixed with water to obtain a repairing material. The OPgC may mix with water and fine or coarse aggregate to form mortar or concrete. The OPgC can be an alternative binding matrix for the development of an environmentally friendly and cost effective rapid repair material.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a mineral substance from a base comprising mineral matter, the method comprising obtaining the base comprising a predetermined quantity of the mineral matter synthesised by a living structure or a portion of the latter, characterised in that obtaining the base comprises providing the living structure and providing at least one lactic acid microorganism suitable for symbiosis with the living structure for the synthesis of the mineral matter of the mineral substance.

The invention also relates to a mineralising composition comprising a living structure, a lactic acid microorganism, a nutritive substance; the mineral substance used in the method; and the use of a combination of a living structure and a lactic acid microorganism in symbiosis with each other as a mineralising agent in a self-regenerating material.

The present specification discloses ceramic matrix compositions, methods of making such ceramic matrix compositions and methods and uses for such ceramic matrix compositions.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.