Porous aluminum nitride (AlN) provides a greater surface area and higher permeability, which is especially desirable for advanced functional application. Porous or bulk aluminum nitride is very difficult to manufacture due mainly to its high melting point (e.g., 2200 degrees Celsius). A new processing method synthesizes porous aluminum nitride through a complete transformation from porous aluminum using a remarkably low nitriding or sintering temperature. The manufactured porous aluminum nitride foam can be used for such applications as filters, separators, heat sinks, ballistic armor, electronic packaging, light- and field-emission devices, and highly wear-resistant composites when infiltrated with metal such as aluminum, titanium, or copper.

A repaired reinforced concrete structure is provided which includes one or more reinforcing steel bars of cross-sectional area A.sub.x, the one or more reinforcing steel bars having one or more corroded sections of cross-sectional area A.sub.y, wherein A.sub.y is greater than or equal to approximately 0.6 A.sub.x. A reinforced ordinary Portland cement-based repair mortar is positioned directly on the one or more corroded sections of the one or more reinforcing steel bars without the addition of a lapped reinforcing steel bar. The reinforced repair mortar includes at least approximately 1 percent by volume of reinforcing steel fibers such that the reinforced repair mortar restores a strength of a repaired region to greater than approximately 100% of an original strength of the concrete structure in an uncorroded state. The repaired reinforced concrete structure is highly durable, as the repair mortar exhibits an air permeability resistance of greater than 1000 seconds.

Disclosed is a cement or a refractory concrete composition, including, by weight, as compared to its total weight at least: (a) from 20% to 70% of at least one aluminum organic acid, (b) from 3% to 20% of at least one deflocculant chosen from a carboxylic acid polymer, a carboxylic acid, a salt thereof, or one of their combinations, and, (c) from 7% to 44% of at least one mineral oxide. Also disclosed is the use of such an adjuvant to improve the drying time of a refractory concrete composition or to improve the permeability of a refractory concrete composition, as well as a cement composition and to a refractory concrete composition, each including such an adjuvant.

A method of designing a cement slurry may include: (a) selecting a target permeability and a density requirement; (b) inputting the target permeability into a permeability model and generating a proposed cement composition using the permeability model, wherein the proposed cement composition comprises at least a cement and concentration thereof, and a water and concentration thereof such that a cement slurry formed from the proposed cement composition water meet the density requirement; (c) preparing the cement slurry based on the proposed cement composition; and (d) introducing the cement slurry into a wellbore and allowing the cement slurry to set to form a hardened cement.

A building assembly can include a substrate and a water barrier coating film. The water barrier coating film can include a thermoplastic polymer and microporous particles, such as microporous glass beads. The water barrier coating film can provide a good protection towards liquid water but may allow water vapor flow from the substrate through the coating film. The water vapor permeability of the water barrier coating film can be at least 2 US perms as tested according to ASTM E96 (2014) at 21 C. and 50% average relative humidity.

A method for improving the air and/or water barrier performance of a building panel is disclosed. The building panel may be a gypsum board or cement board. In particular, the board may have improved resistance to bulk water penetration or permeation while maintaining breathability with respect to water vapor.

An acoustical ceiling panel including a first layer having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a side surface extending therebetween, a second layer having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a side surface extending therebetween, and a sealing layer having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a side surface extending therebetween. The sealing layer may be positioned between the first major surface of the first layer and the second major surface of the second layer. The side surface of the sealing layer may extend beyond the side surface of the first layer and the side surface of the second layer.

Disclosed is a cement or a refractory concrete composition, including, by weight, as compared to its total weight at least: (a) from 20% to 70% of at least one aluminum organic acid, (b) from 3% to 20% of at least one deflocculant chosen from a carboxylic acid polymer, a carboxylic acid, a salt thereof, or one of their combinations, and, (c) from 7% to 44% of at least one mineral oxide. Also disclosed is the use of such an adjuvant to improve the drying time of a refractory concrete composition or to improve the permeability of a refractory concrete composition, as well as a cement composition and to a refractory concrete composition, each including such an adjuvant.

A catalytic refractory heating appliance includes a body formed from a silicon carbide refractory material having a porosity that permits ionic oxygen to pass through the refractory material. The body defines a gas flow channel. A catalyst coating is on a surface of the refractory material of the body, whereby the refractory material becomes an active component with catalytic capability. For example, when the catalytic refractory heating appliance is a fire tube carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds can be directly absorbed, or carbon monoxide is reduced to methane.

The present invention is directed to a method for providing a surface, in particular a floor surface, with a layer of a magnetic and/or magnetizable cover composition, the surface having at least one layer of cementitious material, wherein the method comprises the step of spreading the layer of the cover composition onto the surface, the cover composition comprising a polymeric binder and magnetic and/or magnetizable particles, characterized in that the layer of the cover composition has a water vapor transmission rate of at least 0.25 g h.sup.1 m.sup.2 according to ASTM D1653, and the surface and/or the layer of cementitious material has a relative humidity of more than 75% according to ASTM F 2170-11.