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.

The use of bacteria-based binders to bind and strengthen 3D printed compositions; bio-plastic 3D printing materials comprised of combinations of particles of organic substrates such as coffee, pistachio shells and coconut shells, as well as sand (and combinations of one or more of the foregoing); processes for creating scent-free bio-plastic 3D printing material and products from such particles; the application of a copper finish, chrome finish and powder finish to bio-plastics made from such particles; and products and fixtures, such as sinks, toilets, faucets, coffee mug molds, lighting fixtures, and coffee cups, comprising non-flammable bio-plastic created by a process of 3D printing from such particles. Processes for imparting color or structure or surface texture to these and binding and strengthening them using enzyme-secreting bacteria.

The use of bacteria-based binders to bind and strengthen 3D printed compositions; bio-plastic 3D printing materials comprised of combinations of particles of organic substrates such as coffee, pistachio shells and coconut shells, as well as sand (and combinations of one or more of the foregoing); processes for creating scent-free bio-plastic 3D printing material and products from such particles; the application of a copper finish, chrome finish and powder finish to bio-plastics made from such particles; and products and fixtures, such as sinks, toilets, faucets, coffee mug molds, lighting fixtures, and coffee cups, comprising non-flammable bio-plastic created by a process of 3D printing from such particles. Processes for imparting color or structure or surface texture to these and binding and strengthening them using enzyme-secreting bacteria.

A cement composition can include water; cement, wherein less than 75 w/w % of the total amount of the cement is Portland cement; and a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a polymer network having at least one branching point formed with a monomer and a cross-linking agent that comprises at least three active functional groups. The cement can also be a non-Portland cement. The monomer can be a vinyl ester-based monomer that is polymerized with the cross-linking agent to form the polymer network. The cement composition can be used in an oil and gas operation.

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.

The invention is directed to kits, compositions, tools and methods comprising a cyclic industrial process to form biocement. In particular, the invention is directed to materials and methods for decomposing calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature, reacting calcium oxide with ammonium chloride to form calcium chloride, water, and ammonia gas; and reacting ammonia gas and carbon dioxide at high pressure to form urea and water, which are then utilized to form biocement. This cyclic process can be achieved by combining industrial processes with the resulting product as biocement. The process may involve retention of calcium carbonate currently utilized in the manufacture of Portland Cement.

The invention is directed to kits, compositions, tools and methods comprising a cyclic industrial process to form biocement. In particular, the invention is directed to materials and methods for decomposing calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature, reacting calcium oxide with ammonium chloride to form calcium chloride, water, and ammonia gas; and reacting ammonia gas and carbon dioxide at high pressure to form urea and water, which are then utilized to form biocement. This cyclic process can be achieved by combining industrial processes with the resulting product as biocement. The process may involve retention of calcium carbonate currently utilized in the manufacture of Portland Cement.

The invention is directed to kits, compositions, tools and methods comprising a cyclic industrial process to form biocement. In particular, the invention is directed to materials and methods for decomposing calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature, reacting calcium oxide with ammonium chloride to form calcium chloride, water, and ammonia gas; and reacting ammonia gas and carbon dioxide at high pressure to form urea and water, which are then utilized to form biocement. This cyclic process can be achieved by combining industrial processes with the resulting product as biocement. The process may involve retention of calcium carbonate currently utilized in the manufacture of Portland Cement.

A method for producing a carbonate-containing species-rich, nitrogen-containing species-free solution from a urea-rich solution is proposed. The method comprising the steps of: providing a first reservoir comprising a first mixture including urea and a catalyser comprising an enzymatic catalyser and/or a microorganism; allowing an enzymatic reaction catalysed by the catalyser to decompose urea, thereby obtaining a second mixture comprising nitrogen-containing species and carbonate-containing species; converting at least some of the nitrogen-containing species into gaseous nitrogen-containing species to obtain a third mixture comprising the gaseous nitrogen-containing species and the carbonate-containing species; filtering the third mixture by a gas- permeable filter, thereby separating at least some of the gaseous nitrogen-containing species from the carbonate-containing species while keeping the catalyser away from the gas-permeable filter; and collecting the so-obtained carbonate-containing species-rich, nitrogen-containing species-free solution.