A method for making a carbonated precast concrete product, includes: obtaining a mixture including at least one binder material, an aggregate, and water; molding the mixture into a molded intermediate; demolding the molded intermediate to obtain a demolded intermediate, the demolded intermediate having a first water-to-binder ratio; conditioning the demolded intermediate to provide a conditioned article having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio of the demolded intermediate; and curing the conditioned article using carbon dioxide at a pressure ranging from an atmospheric pressure to a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure by at most 10% of the atmospheric pressure. Curing the conditioned article may be done within an expandable enclosure.

A method for making a carbonated precast concrete product, includes: obtaining a mixture including at least one binder material, an aggregate, and water; molding the mixture into a molded intermediate; demolding the molded intermediate to obtain a demolded intermediate, the demolded intermediate having a first water-to-binder ratio; conditioning the demolded intermediate to provide a conditioned article having a second water-to-binder ratio less than the first water-to-binder ratio of the demolded intermediate; and curing the conditioned article using carbon dioxide at a pressure ranging from an atmospheric pressure to a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure by at most 10% of the atmospheric pressure. Curing the conditioned article may be done within an expandable enclosure.

Embodiments of the disclosure include swellable smart gel sealants and methods of using smart gel sealants. In certain embodiments, the smart gel sealants reversibly swell when exposed to a certain trigger, such as carbonic acid and/or sulfuric acid. In specific embodiments, the smart gel is comprised within a cement composition.

Embodiments of the disclosure include swellable smart gel sealants and methods of using smart gel sealants. In certain embodiments, the smart gel sealants reversibly swell when exposed to a certain trigger, such as carbonic acid and/or sulfuric acid. In specific embodiments, the smart gel is comprised within a cement composition.

Calcium silicate-based cements and concretes are disclosed, which result in concrete compositions that have an increased durability. A cement product includes a plurality of particles of a carbonatable calcium silicate cement and a hydrophobic organic acid, or a salt thereof, or a silane, or a polysiloxane.

Calcium silicate-based cements and concretes are disclosed, which result in concrete compositions that have an increased durability. A cement product includes a plurality of particles of a carbonatable calcium silicate cement and a hydrophobic organic acid, or a salt thereof, or a silane, or a polysiloxane.

Article made of conglomerate material in the form of a slab comprising an aggregate which includes granules of expanded material having a selected particle size range and defining between them inter-granular cavities containing only air and no filling material. The aggregate also includes a binder present in a controlled minimum quantity sufficient for lining the granules of expanded material. The article also comprises a lining layer integral with the aggregate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of an article made of conglomerate material.

Article made of conglomerate material in the form of a slab comprising an aggregate which includes granules of expanded material having a selected particle size range and defining between them inter-granular cavities containing only air and no filling material. The aggregate also includes a binder present in a controlled minimum quantity sufficient for lining the granules of expanded material. The article also comprises a lining layer integral with the aggregate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of an article made of conglomerate material.

An apparatus for delivering a wet concrete mix to a product mold, where the apparatus comprises a hopper configured to retain a fresh concrete mix, a source of treated water having a concentration of nanobubbles of a gas at least double a natural concentration of nanobubbles of the gas within a natural state of the water, a water transport coupling the source of treated water with the hopper, a valve interposed within the water transport for selectively releasing the treated water into the hopper, and a mixer in communication with the hopper for mixing the treated water with the fresh concrete mix to yield an infused wet concrete.

The present invention primarily relates to the use of a mixture capable of biocementation as a means of preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth, on/in a substrate.