A method of designing a cement slurry may include: (a) selecting at least a cement and concentration thereof, water and concentration thereof, and, optionally, at least one supplementary cementitious material and a concentration thereof, such that a cement slurry comprising the cement, the water, and, if present, the at least one supplementary cementitious material, meet a density requirement; (b) calculating a thickening time of the cement slurry using a thickening time model; (c) comparing the thickening time of the cement slurry to a thickening time requirement, wherein steps (a)-(c) are repeated if the thickening time of the cement slurry does not meet or exceed the thickening time requirement, wherein the selecting comprises selecting different concentrations and/or different chemical identities for the cement and/or the supplementary cementitious material than previously selected, or step (d) is performed if the thickening time of the cement slurry meets or exceeds the thickening time requirement; and preparing the cement slurry.

A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

The corrosion-preventing additive for reinforced concrete is a concrete additive for preventing corrosion of steel rebars in steel-reinforced concrete. The corrosion-preventing additive is a solution with an organic solvent, the solute being either gallic acid (3,4.5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), at least one ester of gallic acid, or combinations thereof. The weight-to-volume concentration of the solute to the organic solvent may be between 1% and 10% w/v. Reinforced concrete may be made using the corrosion-preventing additive by mixing the corrosion-preventing additive with a conventional concrete mixture (i.e., a mixture of an aggregate, water, and cement), with at least one steel rebar being embedded in the mixture, similar to conventional steel rebar reinforced concrete. The concentration of the corrosion-preventing additive with respect to the cement of the mixture may be between 0.0125 wt% and 1.0 wt%.

The corrosion-preventing additive for reinforced concrete is a concrete additive for preventing corrosion of steel rebars in steel-reinforced concrete. The corrosion-preventing additive is a solution with an organic solvent, the solute being either gallic acid (3,4.5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), at least one ester of gallic acid, or combinations thereof. The weight-to-volume concentration of the solute to the organic solvent may be between 1% and 10% w/v. Reinforced concrete may be made using the corrosion-preventing additive by mixing the corrosion-preventing additive with a conventional concrete mixture (i.e., a mixture of an aggregate, water, and cement), with at least one steel rebar being embedded in the mixture, similar to conventional steel rebar reinforced concrete. The concentration of the corrosion-preventing additive with respect to the cement of the mixture may be between 0.0125 wt% and 1.0 wt%.

The corrosion-preventing additive for reinforced concrete is a concrete additive for preventing corrosion of steel rebars in steel-reinforced concrete. The corrosion-preventing additive is a solution with an organic solvent, the solute being either gallic acid (3,4.5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), at least one ester of gallic acid, or combinations thereof. The weight-to-volume concentration of the solute to the organic solvent may be between 1% and 10% w/v. Reinforced concrete may be made using the corrosion-preventing additive by mixing the corrosion-preventing additive with a conventional concrete mixture (i.e., a mixture of an aggregate, water, and cement), with at least one steel rebar being embedded in the mixture, similar to conventional steel rebar reinforced concrete. The concentration of the corrosion-preventing additive with respect to the cement of the mixture may be between 0.0125 wt% and 1.0 wt%.

A method for precious metal extraction comprises contacting a precious metal-containing ore with an improved cyanide extraction agent under conditions suitable for the formation of a coated precious metal-containing ore where the extraction agent comprises (i) a cement and (ii) a cement retarder; and contacting the coated precious metal-containing ore with a cyanide solution to form soluble precious metal complexes. A composition for gold extraction comprising: (i) a cement (ii) a cement retarder and (iii) an inorganic cyanide salt.

A method for precious metal extraction comprises contacting a precious metal-containing ore with an improved cyanide extraction agent under conditions suitable for the formation of a coated precious metal-containing ore where the extraction agent comprises (i) a cement and (ii) a cement retarder; and contacting the coated precious metal-containing ore with a cyanide solution to form soluble precious metal complexes. A composition for gold extraction comprising: (i) a cement (ii) a cement retarder and (iii) an inorganic cyanide salt.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.