One of the chief purposes of researchers in the field of chemistry is to perform chemical reactions at high rates; a method that can be adopted to achieve such goal is to perform reactions in magnetic solvents. Being passed through the Solvents Magnetizing Apparatus (SMA) magnetizes the solvent, and the magnetic property remains intact for a few days, while most chemical reactions are done in less than one day. It should be taken into consideration that the magnetic solvent is different from the Zeeman effect in chemistry. This technology is widely used in performing chemical processes of most chemical reactions.

One of the chief purposes of researchers in the field of chemistry is to perform chemical reactions at high rates; a method that can be adopted to achieve such goal is to perform reactions in magnetic solvents. Being passed through the Solvents Magnetizing Apparatus (SMA) magnetizes the solvent, and the magnetic property remains intact for a few days, while most chemical reactions are done in less than one day. It should be taken into consideration that the magnetic solvent is different from the Zeeman effect in chemistry. This technology is widely used in performing chemical processes of most chemical reactions.

The present invention discloses a concrete construction method for controlling setting time and special equipment thereof. The technical solution comprises processes of mixing, pumping, extruding, forming, setting and hardening. An electric treatment of applying an external electric field to a concrete mixture is provided between the pumping and the extruding process. The mixture treated by the external electric field is immediately extruded through an extrusion outlet. The special equipment comprises a transporting pump, a transporting pipeline and an extrusion device. The extrusion device comprises an equipment for electrical process and the extrusion outlet. By adopting the construction solution and equipment in the present technical solution, an effect on rapid controlling or adjusting the concrete setting time is achieved and an early strength of concrete is rapidly and rationally enhanced. A requirement of adjusting concrete setting time at will before the forming process is met.

Various embodiments include a system or platform that uses electrochemistry to upcycle waste products and low-value minerals into valuable, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2)-neutral materials. Various embodiments may include systems and/or methods for processing material inputs using an electrochemical reactor. Various embodiments may include systems, methods, and/or devices for capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) while producing valuable co-products.

Concrete can be one of the most durable building materials and structures made of concrete can have a long service life. Consumption is projected to reach approximately 40 billion tons in 2017. Despite this the testing of concrete at all stages of its life cycle is still in its early stages although testing for corrosion is well established. Further many of the tests today are time consuming, expensive, and provide results only after it has been poured and set. Embodiments of the invention provide concrete suppliers, construction companies, regulators, architects, and others with rapid testing and performance data regarding the cure, performance, corrosion of concrete at different points in its life cycle based upon a simple electrical tests that remove subjectivity, allow for rapid assessment, are integrable to the construction process, and provided full life cycle assessment. Wireless sensors can be embedded from initial loading through post-cure into service life.

The present invention is related to a process for manufacturing xerogels optionally containing a fibrous reinforcement material, to an insulating, self-supporting single-layer composite panel of thickness between 30 mm and 70 mm of xerogel comprising a fibrous reinforcement material comprising a nonwoven fibrous batting obtainable by this process and to the use thereof for the manufacture of building materials and thermal insulations.

The present invention is related to a process for manufacturing xerogels optionally containing a fibrous reinforcement material, to an insulating, self-supporting single-layer composite panel of thickness between 30 mm and 70 mm of xerogel comprising a fibrous reinforcement material comprising a nonwoven fibrous batting obtainable by this process and to the use thereof for the manufacture of building materials and thermal insulations.

A process for sintering silicon carbide is provided which includes the steps of providing a silicon carbide powder of silicon carbide granules; purifying the silicon carbide powder; subjecting the purified silicon carbide powder to a gel-casting process; removing the gel-cast part from the mold; drying the gel-cast part; obtaining a dried cast ceramic part (a green body) which is capable of green machining into a final desired shape; firing the green body in an oven at temperatures ranging from about 100 C. to about 1900 C. to remove or burn out any polymer remaining in the ceramic; and sintering the green body at temperatures ranging from about 1600 C. to less than about 2200 C.

Various embodiments include a system or platform that uses electrochemistry to upcycle waste products and low-value minerals into valuable, carbon dioxide (CO2)-neutral materials. Various embodiments may include systems and/or methods for processing material inputs using an electrochemical reactor. Various embodiments may include systems, methods, and/or devices for capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) while producing valuable co-products.

A method of forming a concrete product includes directly capturing CO.sub.2 from a gas source, the capturing comprising contacting the gas source with an absorption solution having a solvent and a solute, wherein the solvent and/or the solute are capable of reacting with CO.sub.2 to form an anionic compound, adjusting the pH of the absorption solution electrochemically to less than about 7 to release the CO.sub.2 as a concentrated vapor containing CO.sub.2, collecting the concentrated vapor containing CO.sub.2, regenerating the solvent and/or the solute, and optionally collecting the regenerated solvent and/or solute; flowing the concentrated vapor containing CO.sub.2 through a gas processing unit to adjust at least one of a temperature, a relative humidity, or a flow rate of the concentrated vapor containing CO.sub.2; and contacting the concentrated vapor containing CO.sub.2 with a concrete component.