The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

A coated granule that is suitable for use in a bituminous roofing membrane. The coated granule comprises: i) a granule, the granule comprising cristobalite, ii) a first coating on the surface of the granule, the coating comprising TiO2 in its anatase form and a binder, and iii) an oil barrier coating on the first coating, the oil barrier coating being a compound which will form a bond with a bituminous material, the oil barrier degrading upon exposure to the ultra violet radiation in sunlight and/or the action of rainwater to thereby expose the first coating.

A coated granule that is suitable for use in a bituminous roofing membrane. The coated granule comprises: i) a granule, the granule comprising cristobalite, ii) a first coating on the surface of the granule, the coating comprising TiO2 in its anatase form and a binder, and iii) an oil barrier coating on the first coating, the oil barrier coating being a compound which will form a bond with a bituminous material, the oil barrier degrading upon exposure to the ultra violet radiation in sunlight and/or the action of rainwater to thereby expose the first coating.

Disclosed herein are concrete and asphalt crack filler compounds and methods for utilizing them. According to some embodiments, a method of utilizing one of the compounds can include the steps of (1) obtaining a surface crack filler compound, (2) depositing the surface crack filler compound into a surface crack (e.g., concrete, asphalt, etc.), and (3) depositing water onto the surface crack filler compound to cause the surface crack filler compound to solidify and fill the surface crack. Additionally, and according to some embodiments, the method can further include, prior to depositing the surface crack filler compound into the surface crack: removing debris from the surface crack using at least one of a brush, pressurized air, or pressurized water.

A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

Compositions, tools and methods for the manufacture of construction materials, masonry, solid structures and compositions to facilitate dust control are described. Compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration are also described. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. Compositions containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials are also described.

There is provided a method for producing construction material utilizing loose pieces of aggregate, enzyme producing bacteria, an amount of urea and an amount of calcium ions. A first solution is prepared which includes urease which is formed by enzyme producing bacteria. A second solution is prepared which includes urea and calcium ions. The first and second solutions are added to the loose aggregate. The calcium ions contribute to the formation of calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate fills and bonds between at least some of the gaps between the loose pieces of aggregate forming a solid construction material.

A fire-proof insulation material, in particular a fire-proof insulation material, which is composed of a harden-able compound which contains 19 to 40 wt % of porous glass balls, 60 to 81 wt % of an aqueous solution of sodium silicate having a density in the range of 1370 to 1400 kg/m.sup.3 and a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2O in the range of 3.2 to 3.4, and 0.1 to 1 wt % water glass binder stabiliser, while further containing 2 to 10 wt % of chopped basalt fibre, and the surface of the porous glass balls having a diameter of 0.3 to 1 mm is provided with carbon black, the carbon black constituting 0.1 to 0.9 wt % of total weight. A method for producing a fire-proof insulating material, in particular a method for producing a fire-proof insulation material, according to which firstly the porous glass balls are mixed with an aqueous carbon black solution so that their entire surface is coated with carbon black, then the porous balls with carbon black are mixed with chopped basalt fibre and mixed to form an insulation compound, and a water glass stabiliser is added to the aqueous sodium silicate solution and then a hardener is added to this solution, then the solution is stirred for 1 to 10 minutes to form a binder solution, and then the thermal insulation compound is poured into the binder solution while constantly stirring, and the whole is mixed, and then the resulting mixture is poured into the application site.