A fiber reinforced concrete composition which cures to a cured fiber reinforced concrete composite following addition of water, the cured fiber reinforced concrete composite having a density from about 700 to 1000 kg/m.sup.3 and a compressive strength from about 5 to 15 MPa. A fiber reinforced concrete composition includes a brittle inorganic matrix precursor, a plurality of reinforcing fibers present in a range from 0.5 volume percent to less than 4 volume percent based on the total volume of the cured fiber reinforced concrete composite, and lightweight aggregate having a mean particle size in the range of 10 m to 1000 m, in an amount effective to achieve a target density in the cured composite not more than 1000 kg/m.sup.3. The reinforcing fibers include polypropylene fibers. The lightweight aggregate can include hollow fly ash spheres and glass microspheres. An acrylic admixture can be added to the composition.

An arrangement for producing a bulk material consisting substantially of foamed or blown mineral or oxide particles by thermal treatment of a bulk material of basic particles. The arrangement includes NIR halogen radiators for generating a NIR radiation field of radiation with an active component in a near infrared, NIR, range having a wavelength in a range between 0.8 ?m and 1.5 ?m and which has a power density of at least 50 kW/m.sup.2 for thermally treating the basic particles, a conveying device for transporting a layer or stream of the bed of basic particles through the radiation field, and a controller that controls heating of the bed of basic particles such that a maximum temperature in the layer or stream is in a temperature range between 600 and 1500? C.

The present disclosure concerns expandable silica particles having a coating comprising talc powder and kaolin powder provided on the outer surface of the expandable silica particle and expandable and expanded silica particles comprising silica fume and/or ultrafine quartz silica sand beneath the surface of the particles. Methods for producing expandable and expanded silica particles are disclosed, including a method using a vibration plate and a furnace having a vibration plate for carrying out that method. The expanded silica particles have high compressive strength, substantially uniform cell size and distribution, low water absorption, and low porosity on the outer surface. They are useful as a filler in matrix materials, like concrete or epoxy, as insulation material with various binder materials, and as water filtration medium.

A fluid storage media includes a plurality of microspheres. Each microsphere includes a porous core with a porous core material and having an exterior surface. A stored fluid is within the porous core. A coating layer covers all of the exterior surface of the porous core. The coating layer includes a coating material which transitions from a first state to a second state, wherein in the first state the coating material is permeable to the stored fluid, and in the second state the material is impermeable to the stored fluid. The coating material in the second state is configured to encapsulate and maintain the stored fluid inside the porous core. A method of making a fluid storage media, a method of delivering a fluid and a method of delivering a biologically active fluid medication to a patient are also disclosed.

A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, hydraulic cement, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, calcium hydroxide (lime), and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising: RFA, hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, natural pozzolan and water; and allowing the composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising RFA and any combination of hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, slag, fly ash, and natural or other pozzolan.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, hydraulic cement, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising RFA, calcium hydroxide (lime), and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising: RFA, hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, natural pozzolan and water; and allowing the composition to set. Other embodiments comprise a settable composition comprising RFA and any combination of hydraulic cement, calcium hydroxide, slag, fly ash, and natural or other pozzolan.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to compatibilized resin-cement composite compositions and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that includes placing in the subterranean formation a resin-cement composite composition. The resin-cement composite composition includes a resin, a cement, and a substituted or unsubstituted poly(alkylamine) compatibilizer.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to compatibilized resin-cement composite compositions and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that includes placing in the subterranean formation a resin-cement composite composition. The resin-cement composite composition includes a resin, a cement, and a substituted or unsubstituted poly(alkylamine) compatibilizer.

Polyurethane composites and methods of preparation are described herein. The polyurethane composites can comprise (a) a polyurethane formed by the reaction of (i) one or more isocyanates selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) one or more polyols, (b) a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, (c) optionally a fiber material, and (d) a lightweight filler having a bulk density from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 1 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples, the lightweight filler can be selected from expanded perlite, expanded clay, foamed glass, and combinations thereof. Articles such as building materials comprising the polyurethane composites are also disclosed.