Described herein is a composition for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, the composition comprising particles, at least some of which are discrete particles and each comprise: a compacted swelling clay, the clay having been compacted such that it at least partially surrounds a fluid-loss preventing polymer. Also described herein is a clay liner formed from the composition, a method for producing particles for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, and a method of forming a clay liner.

Environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks and structures constructed primarily of recycled materials are disclosed. The environmentally friendly construction blocks and structures comprise shredded rubber tire pieces coated with silica fume, slag cement and cement, which are then mixed with water and formed in a mold. A layer of grout or a fireproof material may be disposed on one side of the environmentally responsible insulating construction block. The environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks can be used in place of wood blocking for roof assembly applications such as installation of a drip edge or wall coping; or in expansion joints. The environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks provide high insulation as well as strength for applications such as green roofing, wall construction and green roofing decks. Environmentally friendly structures can be built by pouring the coated shredded rubber tire pieces into molds to form walls, and then to pour a layer of the coated shredded rubber tire pieces as a roof deck, thereby creating a self-supporting structure in a monolithic pour.

Disclosed is a construction material composition including a matrix predominantly containing an aluminum silicate compound, such as a metakaolin, and an alkaline activation solution. The composition is contains less than 10 wt. % cement or clinker and in that the metakaolin is a metakaolin obtained via flash calcination. The reaction between the components is carried out at a temperature less than 30 C. The method for manufacturing the construction material includes mixing the composition with various elements such as granulates, plant fibers, unfired clay, and expanding agents. It is particularly of use in producing floor, wall, or roof coating elements, prefabricated construction elements, or insulation, adhesive, or inorganic sealant modules.

A composite wall panel comprising a panel frame and an insulating layer disposed therein, and a wall assembly comprising a plurality of the composite wall panels that are vertically jointed to one another. Various embodiments and combinations of embodiments are provided.

A sound insulating material, a sound insulating plate, and a partition structure of a train carriage are provided. The sound insulating material comprises the following components in weight ratio: 2-8 parts of tricalcium silicate; 4-10 parts of calcium hydroxide; 10-30 parts of aluminosilicate; 4-10 parts of alumina; 5-15 parts of iron oxide; 10-30 parts of a binder; and 5-10 parts of a curing agent, wherein the binder is at least two of lithium silicate, sodium silicate and calcium silicate; the curing agent is at least one of lithium oxide, magnesium oxide and silica; and the mixture of the aluminosilicate, alumina and iron oxide expands at 1000 C.-1350 C. to form particles. The sound insulating plate made of this material is lightweight and has a sound insulation capacity of 35-42 dB.

Non-oxidative direct methane conversion (NDMC) to value-added products, such as H.sub.2, C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, and aromatics, occurs within a reactor heated to an elevated temperature. The reactor can have a first volume, where a feed gas including methane is provided, separated from a second volume, where a sweep gas is provided, by a dense thin film membrane supported on a porous wall. The thin film membrane is a mixed ionic-electronic permeable membrane that allows H2 generated in the first volume to be transported to the second volume for removal by (or reaction with) the sweep gas. A catalyst can be provided in or adjacent to the first volume. For example, the catalyst can be a metal doped quartz material (e.g., Fe(c)SiO.sub.2) or a metal/zeolite material (e.g., Mo/ZSM5). Methane conversion and/or product selectivity in the reactor can be manipulated by control of gas flow rates, reaction temperatures, and/or feed and sweep gas compositions.

An object of the present invention is to propose heat insulating structure which is excellent in thermal insulating properties and higher in strength. The heat insulating structure includes: an aerogel layer including aerogel particles, adhesive, and fibers; and a retainer which is provided to at least one face of the aerogel layer and includes fiber materials and binder resin. Each of the fibers is part of one of the fiber materials included in the retainer.

Embodiments may include a coated granule for roofing systems. The coated granule may include an aluminum silicate granule and a coating disposed on the aluminum silicate granule. The coating may include a copolymer and a siloxane-based or a silane-based compound. The copolymer may be a cationic fluorinated (meth)acrylic copolymer. The aluminum silicate granule may have a particle size in a range from 0.2 mm to 2.4 mm. The aluminum silicate granule may have a 65% or greater reflectivity. The coated granule may repel oil and maintain its reflectivity better than with other techniques.

The invention is a system and method for building a polar zonohedron structure from precast cement panels. The building system may include a plurality of panels configured to register with each other. Each panel includes a precast cement base with side walls enclosing a cavity within the precast cement base. The panels include at least one ridge protruding from at least one surface of a side wall of the panel and at least one aperture on at least one surface of a side wall of the panel. Each ridge is preferable configured to interlock with each aperture; in his way, the panels interlock with each other to form the polar zonohedron structure.

A paving block with improved illumination (luminescent paving block) preferably includes a concrete base layer and a photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer is formed on top of the concrete base layer. The concrete base layer is preferably created by combining sand, aggregate, water, pigment and cement to form an uncured concrete mixture. The photoluminescent layer preferably includes very fine aggreagate, cement, water, pigment, photoluminescent sand and a polyester resin infused with a photoluminescent pigment or a silica-based glass material infused with photoluminescent pigment. Further, a light transmitting sealant may be placed over the photoluminescent material.