Disclosed are methods for incorporating core materials such as phase change materials or admixtures into building materials like concrete. The methods use cenospheres, which are then etched and loaded with the core material. The composition can also be coated with a thin film. Compositions containing cenospheres loaded with the various core materials are disclosed, as are building materials containing such compositions.

Method of making foamed gypsum slurry having 15 to 90 volume percent gas bubbles including: passing first slurry including water and on dry basis 50 to 98 wt. % calcium sulfate hemihydrate, 1 to 50 wt. % calcium carbonate, and 0.1 to 10 wt. % cellulose thickener via a first hose to a Wye connector conduit first inlet opening at Rate C and passing alum solution via a second hose to a second inlet opening of the conduit at Rate D to create combined mixed stream passing from the conduit to a static mixer for mixing for Time 3 to activate at least a portion of the calcium carbonate and alum to generate CO.sub.2 and create the foamed gypsum slurry; transferring the slurry from the mixer to a cavity between two wall boards via a third hose. Allowing the slurry in the cavity to expand, harden and dry.

Method of making foamed gypsum slurry having 15 to 90 volume percent gas bubbles including: passing first slurry including water and on dry basis 50 to 98 wt. % calcium sulfate hemihydrate, 1 to 50 wt. % calcium carbonate, and 0.1 to 10 wt. % cellulose thickener via a first hose to a Wye connector conduit first inlet opening at Rate C and passing alum solution via a second hose to a second inlet opening of the conduit at Rate D to create combined mixed stream passing from the conduit to a static mixer for mixing for Time 3 to activate at least a portion of the calcium carbonate and alum to generate CO.sub.2 and create the foamed gypsum slurry; transferring the slurry from the mixer to a cavity between two wall boards via a third hose. Allowing the slurry in the cavity to expand, harden and dry.

A method of monitoring conditions in a wellbore by disposing capsules with a signaling agent downhole, and monitoring the presence of the signaling agent released from the capsules that escape the wellbore. The capsules are formed by combining immiscible liquids, where one of the liquids contains the signaling substance, and each of the liquids contains a reagent. When combined, the liquids segregate into a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, with the dispersed phase having the signaling agent. The reagents react at the interfaces between dispersed and continuous phases and form polymer layers encapsulating the signaling agent to form the capsules. When disposed downhole, such as in casing cement, the capsule membranes can burst under pressure or temperature to release the signaling agent. Adjusting relative concentrations of the reagents varies membrane strength and permeability.

A method of monitoring conditions in a wellbore by disposing capsules with a signaling agent downhole, and monitoring the presence of the signaling agent released from the capsules that escape the wellbore. The capsules are formed by combining immiscible liquids, where one of the liquids contains the signaling substance, and each of the liquids contains a reagent. When combined, the liquids segregate into a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, with the dispersed phase having the signaling agent. The reagents react at the interfaces between dispersed and continuous phases and form polymer layers encapsulating the signaling agent to form the capsules. When disposed downhole, such as in casing cement, the capsule membranes can burst under pressure or temperature to release the signaling agent. Adjusting relative concentrations of the reagents varies membrane strength and permeability.

Electromagnetically-induced cement concrete crack self-healing diisocyanate microcapsules include raw materials, in parts by weight, comprising 15-55 parts of petroleum resin, 5-10 parts of paraffin, 5-10 parts of polyethylene wax, 3-10 parts of magnetic iron powder and 20-67 parts of diisocyanate. The diisocyanate microcapsules use the diisocyanate as a core material, and the petroleum resin/paraffin/polyethylene wax/magnetic iron powder mixture as the shell of the capsule. When micro cracks occur in the concrete, the crack propagation can break partial of the microcapsule inside, the diisocyanate inside the microcapsules flows out and diffuses into the crack and is subjected to a solidifying reaction with water in the concrete, so that the crack is repaired in time; and for the microcapsules that are not broken by cracks, external electromagnetic field can be applied to melt the shell to release the diisocyanate inside, thereby diffusing into cracks and solidify with water to repair them.

Electromagnetically-induced cement concrete crack self-healing diisocyanate microcapsules include raw materials, in parts by weight, comprising 15-55 parts of petroleum resin, 5-10 parts of paraffin, 5-10 parts of polyethylene wax, 3-10 parts of magnetic iron powder and 20-67 parts of diisocyanate. The diisocyanate microcapsules use the diisocyanate as a core material, and the petroleum resin/paraffin/polyethylene wax/magnetic iron powder mixture as the shell of the capsule. When micro cracks occur in the concrete, the crack propagation can break partial of the microcapsule inside, the diisocyanate inside the microcapsules flows out and diffuses into the crack and is subjected to a solidifying reaction with water in the concrete, so that the crack is repaired in time; and for the microcapsules that are not broken by cracks, external electromagnetic field can be applied to melt the shell to release the diisocyanate inside, thereby diffusing into cracks and solidify with water to repair them.

Perlite-free, lightweight setting-type joint compounds which comprise calcium sulfate hemihydrate with a dry density of less than 50 lb/ft.sup.3, a foaming agent having a HLB value of at least 10 and preferably comprising an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid having a linear alkyl chain containing 8 to 14 carbons and/or a salt thereof, and a combination of rheology modifiers. Methods for building wallboard assemblies and methods for wall patch and repair projects that include applying the perlite-free, lightweight setting-type joint compounds to a substrate.

Disclosed are methods for the preparation of alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers, and the use of such alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers in the preparation and use of mortars and other cement-based systems; also disclosed is a hydraulic composition containing at least one retarder, at least one accelerator and a cellulose ether having a prolonged open time without deterioration of the other cement tile adhesive properties such as workability, setting time, strength development and sag resistance; and further disclosed are dry mortars containing encapsulated calcium chloride used in preparing mortar materials for use in construction, and the preparation and use of such mortars in cold weather environments is also disclosed.

Disclosed are methods for the preparation of alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers, and the use of such alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers in the preparation and use of mortars and other cement-based systems; also disclosed is a hydraulic composition containing at least one retarder, at least one accelerator and a cellulose ether having a prolonged open time without deterioration of the other cement tile adhesive properties such as workability, setting time, strength development and sag resistance; and further disclosed are dry mortars containing encapsulated calcium chloride used in preparing mortar materials for use in construction, and the preparation and use of such mortars in cold weather environments is also disclosed.