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.

Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.

Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded and also exhibits improved adhesive properties. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. The dust reduction additive comprises micro-crystalline wax or micro-crystalline wax emulsion.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded and also exhibits improved adhesive properties. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. The dust reduction additive comprises micro-crystalline wax or micro-crystalline wax emulsion.

A foam formulation for preparing polymer-grafted nanoparticles stabilized foam, including nanoparticles, monomers of a polymer to be grafted on the nanoparticle surface, polymerization initiator, surfactant and water. The polymer-grafted nanoparticles may act together with the surfactant to form single-layer assembling at the boundary of bubbles, which in turn stabilizes the foam. The generated foam shows much better stability in long-term storage, high-temperature drying process and alkaline environments than conventional wet foams. A method of preparing solid porous materials with the foam is also provided.

The invention concerns an article (20) formed of a ceramic matrix composite structure having a plurality of ceramic fiber layers (22) and a binder material (24) interspersed throughout said layers. The ceramic matrix composite material may be sintered. The ceramic fiber layers undulate relative to one or more outer surfaces (38;40) of the article. Thus support features (48) within the article are able to share a load in use between a plurality of layers. The invention may be suited to engine components such as turbine seal segments in a gas turbine engine.

The invention concerns an article (20) formed of a ceramic matrix composite structure having a plurality of ceramic fiber layers (22) and a binder material (24) interspersed throughout said layers. The ceramic matrix composite material may be sintered. The ceramic fiber layers undulate relative to one or more outer surfaces (38;40) of the article. Thus support features (48) within the article are able to share a load in use between a plurality of layers. The invention may be suited to engine components such as turbine seal segments in a gas turbine engine.

The invention concerns an article (20) formed of a ceramic matrix composite structure having a plurality of ceramic fiber layers (22) and a binder material (24) interspersed throughout said layers. The ceramic matrix composite material may be sintered. The ceramic fiber layers undulate relative to one or more outer surfaces (38;40) of the article. Thus support features (48) within the article are able to share a load in use between a plurality of layers. The invention may be suited to engine components such as turbine seal segments in a gas turbine engine.

The invention relates to a composition for a pasty fill and finishing material, a pasty fill and finishing material, and a method for producing a pasty fill and finishing material. The composition comprises at least one filler, at least one binding agent, and additives, wherein the at least one filler has a density dependent flowability (ff.sub.ρ) value of from 3 to 20.