The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

An appliance cabinet includes a structural envelope having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines an insulating cavity, wherein the insulating cavity defines an at least partial vacuum. A plurality of silica-based agglomerates are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each agglomerate of the plurality of silica-based agglomerates includes silica-based powder insulation material that is water-densified and is at least substantially free of a material binder. A secondary insulation material is disposed within interstitial spaces defined between the plurality of silica-based agglomerates, wherein the plurality of silica-based agglomerates defines an interior structure that resists inward compressive forces exerted as a result of the at least partial vacuum defined within the insulating cavity.

A refractory composition is formed by preparing a set retarded fresh cementitious composition formed from a class C fly ash, a set retardant such as boric acid, and an alkali activator such as an alkali metal citrate salt, and contacting the set-retarded fresh cementitious composition with a pH regulator, such as an alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal carbonate. The set retarded mixture provides workability and avoids equipment fouling caused by premature setting, while the alkali activator provides rapid setting when desired. The cementitious composition is shaped into a brick, panel, slab, concrete fire log, or the like and allowed to harden. The hardened cementitious composition can be heated to form a dried cementitious composition, and further heated to produce a high strength refractory composition. Fibers and/or aggregates may be included.

Composition for the production of sinks including: fillers obtained from recovered material, resin obtained from recovered material, and virgin additives obtained neither from recovered materials nor from materials of animal or plant origin. The recovered fillers include one or more of the following materials: recovered glass microspheres, recovered quartz, recovered material obtained from the grinding of sinks with a base of quartz or glass fillers and resin and aluminum trihydrate (ATH). The resin is an acrylic syrup obtained from recovered material or polyester obtained from recovered material. The virgin additives include at least one cross-linking agent that favors the cross-linking of the resin and one compatibilizing substance that favors the adhesion of the resin to the fillers, where said virgin additives are in a weight percentage of less than 9% of the total weight of the composition.

The present invention is directed at coatings for oven bake clay that when applied make the surface of the resulting object food safe. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the coating may contain one or more food safe plastics that may be in particle form and may form suspensions or colloids when mixed with water, food safe oil or other food safe liquids to ease application. Among the many potential additional ingredients contemplated, the coating may contain one or more surfactants to improve the formation of a suspension or colloid or one or more food safe dyes so that the oven bake clay can be painted. Among the many methods of making the coating contemplated, the components may be mixed to form a suspension or colloid through one or more of agitation, stirring or sonication. It is further contemplated that the coating may be applied to an unbaked oven bake clay object and then baked or alternatively applied to a baked oven bake clay object and then re-baked.

A concrete mix for use in forming molded concrete end products is disclosed. The concrete mix includes treated porcelain kernels, cement and sand. The treated porcelain kernels are formed from recycled and currently unusable porcelain products. The porcelain products are crushed and processed to create porcelain kernels having a desired size. The porcelain kernels having the desired size are mixed with cement and sand and the concrete mix is packaged for subsequent use. The concrete mix including the porcelain kernels formed from recycled porcelain products allows the porcelain end products to be recycled while providing concrete products that have lighter weight and greater flame resistance.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention relates to a laminated member including: a glass member having a linear transmittance at a wavelength of 850 nm of 80% or more; a bonding layer including a resin and lying on the glass member; and a SiSiC member lying on the bonding member, in which the SiSiC member has an average linear expansion coefficient at from 20 C. to 200 C. of from 2.85 ppm/ C. to 4.00 ppm/ C.

The disclosure relates to an artificial agglomerated stone article comprising a granulated vitreous material, having high whiteness and opacity, with a specific oxide composition and to a method for the manufacture thereof.

A composite member includes an inorganic matrix part made from an inorganic substance including at least one of a metal oxide or a metal oxide hydroxide and an organic fiber that is directly fixed to the inorganic matrix part without interposing an adhesive substance different from the inorganic substance making up the inorganic matrix part and is present in a dispersed state within the inorganic matrix part. The composite member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the inorganic matrix part.