The invention relates to modifying synthetic fiber sponge, such as polyester or polyurethane foam, with an epoxy-, polyester, or acrylic-resin to induce an engineered rock product for use as stone replacement in a variety of applications. The method for manufacturing comprises: producing a foam block; shaping the foam block into any regular or irregular shape; weathering the shaped foam block; infusing the weathered foam block with a resin; curing the infused foam block; and finishing the cured foam block. The artificial rock comprises a foam block shaped to resemble a rock, an exterior of the foam block infused with a resin.

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.

A superhydrophobic asphalt and a method of its preparation. The superhydrophobic asphalt contains an asphalt layer containing a polymer modified asphalt, preferably a radial SBS modified asphalt, and a polypropylene layer. The polypropylene layer comprises granules of polypropylene thermally fused to the asphalt layer. The superhydrophobic asphalt has a water contact angle of 145 to 170?, above the classification threshold for superhydrophobicity. The method of preparing the superhydrophobic asphalt involves distributing polypropylene granules over the surface of a polymer modified asphalt and curing below the melting temperature of the polypropylene. The asphalt may find use in waterproofing applications such as roofing.

The invention relates to the use of a reactive liquid applied material for producing a roofing membrane, wherein the reactive liquid applied material has a liquid component and a powder component, wherein the powder component comprises a mineral binder system consisting of a plurality of mineral binders capable of forming an ettringite phase when combined, and wherein the liquid component comprises one or more aqueous polymer dispersions. According to the invention, the reactive material contains at least twice, preferably at least 2.5 times, in particular at least three times as much wt. % solids content of polymers as it does wt. % mineral binders, a proportion of a PU polymer is at most 30% of the solids content of polymers, relative to the total mass of the polymers, and at least one of the polymers used in the reactive roof waterproofing product has a Tg determined by DSC of less than ?20? C., preferably less than ?30? C.

A well cement composite and a method for making a well cement composite includes a mixture of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and fly ash cenospheres (CS) in a weight ratio of from 30:70 to 80:20 CAC to CS; sodium metasilicate (SMS) in an amount of from 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture of CAC and CS; polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) in an amount of from 0.5 to 6.0% of the total weight of the mixture of CAC and CS; and water in a weight ratio of from 0.5:1.0 to 1.2:1.0 of water to CAC and CS.

Water-resistant gypsum products may be produced using a novel catalyst that includes calcium aluminate cement and/or calcium sulfoaluminate cement. For example, a water-resistant gypsum panel may have a core comprising: interwoven matrices of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and a silicone resin, wherein the interwoven matrices have dispersed throughout them a siloxane polymerization catalyst comprising (a) 55 wt % to 100 wt % calcium aluminate cement and/or calcium aluminate cement and (b) 0 wt % to 45 wt % and magnesium oxide, wherein the weight ratio of the siloxane polymerization catalyst to the calcium sulfate dihydrate is 0.01-5:100. The water-resistant gypsum panel may have an absence of one or more of: Portland cement, limestone, aragonite, calcite, dolomite, and slaked lime.

A water-repellent member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance including at least one of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, and a water-repellent resin present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The water-repellent member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A building member and a wet room member each include the water-repellent member.

Methods for limiting bleed-through of aqueous catalyst solutions in ceramic articles are described herein. The methods include applying a hydrophobic cellulose derivative, such as ethylcellulose, to an exterior surface of a fired porous ceramic article. The aqueous catalyst solution is applied to the fired porous ceramic article, such that the hydrophobic cellulose derivative limits bleed-through of the aqueous catalyst solution through at least a portion of the ceramic article. Ceramic articles with skins that limit bleed-through of aqueous catalyst solutions are also described herein.

A building with ultra-stable cementitious material with nano-molecular veneer has 29 wt % to 40 wt % of a magnesium oxide dry powder containing 80 wt % to 98 wt % of magnesium oxide based on a final total weight of the cementitious material, 14 wt % to 18 wt % of a magnesium chloride dissolved in water and reacting to form a liquid suspension, a phosphorus-containing material, and wherein the mixture forms a liquid suspension that reacts into an amorphous phase cementitious material, wherein a portion of the amorphous phase cementitious material grows a plurality of crystals. The plurality of crystals are encapsulated by the amorphous phase cementitious material forming a nano-molecular veneer and a wall material that is affixed to a frame of a building.

A photovoltaic power source includes a receptacle to receive a photofuel including a liquid, and one or more photovoltaic cells positioned within the receptacle to receive light emitted from the photofuel when the photofuel is in the receptacle. The photovoltaic power source also includes power circuitry coupled to the one or more photovoltaic cells to receive a photocurrent generated by the one or more photovoltaic cells when the one or more photovoltaic cells receive the light emitted from the photofuel. In response to the photocurrent, the power circuitry is coupled to output electricity.