The invention relates to an architectural assembly consisting of wall elements made of concrete containing conductive particles with a conductive mesh forming an electromagnetic radiation shielding. Said wall elements consist of a panel 1 made of concrete containing conductive particles without a conductive mesh, at least one face of which is provided with a skin 2, 3 comprising a conductive mesh, with meshes being less than 30?30 mm in dimensions.

A composition of matter for use as an electrode in batteries, fuel cells and other applications, that may or may not be primarily composed of graphite, Portland Cement, pozzolans and water. Organic polymers, additives, reinforcements, fillers, catalysts, current collectors, and other materials may be included in vast ranges and proportions. Large graphite electrodes and other useful products are fabricated integrating concrete with chemical and electrical sciences. Batteries, fuel cells, thermal energy systems, conductive paints, fireproof coatings, metal casting forms, crucibles, fire bricks, graphite electrodes for electroplating, electric arc furnaces, and other applications may make use of the composition. For example, an air battery cathode composed of 50 grams white portland cement, 7 grams metakaolin pozzolan, and 700 grams of properly mixed graphite particle sizes. Dry components mixed with a water based liquid component start the cementing reactions. Mixing, forming and curing play important roles in the final composition properties.

A parallel passage fluid contactor structure for chemical reaction processes has one or more segments, where each segment has a plurality of substantially parallel fluid flow passages oriented in an axial direction; cell walls between each adjacent fluid flow passages and each cell wall has at least two opposite cell wall surfaces. The structure also includes at least one active compound in the cell walls and multiple axially continuous conductive filaments either embedded within the cell walls or situated between the cell wall surfaces. The conductive filaments are at least one of thermally and electrically conductive, are oriented in axially, and are in direct contact with the active compound, and are operable to transfer thermal energy between the active material and the conductive filaments. Heating of the conductive filaments may be used to transfer heat to the active material in the cell walls. Methods of manufacturing the structure are discussed.

A conductive honeycomb structure, comprising: a columnar ceramic honeycomb structure portion comprising an outer peripheral side wall and partition walls each disposed inside the outer peripheral side wall and defining a plurality of cells penetrating from one bottom surface to another bottom surface to form flow paths; a pair of electrode layers disposed on an outer surface of the outer peripheral side wall across a central axis of the honeycomb structure portion; and a pair of metal terminals joined to the respective electrode layers via one or more welded portions, wherein each of the one or more welded portions comprises a welded area of from 2 to 50 mm.sup.2.

A curable binder composition includes: a) at least one organic binder selected from the group made of a1) epoxy resins and curing agents for epoxy resins and a2) polyisocyanates and polyols, and b) at least 50% by weight of slag based on 100% by weight of the binder composition.

Electrically conductive thermoplastic polymer composites of particulate thermoplastic polyester polymers, electrically conductive components (carbon nanofibers, graphene nanoplatelets, and/or conductive metal nanoparticulates), processing aids such as plasticizers, thermal stabilizers, etc., as well as nanoscopic particulate fillers such as nanoscopic titanium dioxide, etc., the electrically conductive components being distributed substantially uniformly in the composite to form an electrically conductive network. Also, methods for preparing thermoplastic polymer composites, a system for collecting extruded filaments prepared from thermoplastic polymer composites as a coil of filament, as well as method for tempering articles formed from thermoplastic polymer composites to increase the degree of crystallinity of the thermoplastic polymers and thus their mechanical strength properties.

Conductive concrete mixtures for shotcrete applications are described that are configured to provide varied EM shielding and reflect and/or absorb, for instance, EM waves propagating through the conductive concrete mixture, while providing flowability (e.g., fluidity) for shotcrete applications. The conductive concrete mixtures include cement, aggregate, water, metallic conductive material, and conductive carbon particles and magnetic material. The metallic conductive material may include steel fibers and/or shavings having sizes suitable for application through shotcrete nozzles/applicators, and the magnetic material may include a taconite aggregate, such as taconite sand.

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 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.

At least partial substitution of zirconium by hafnium in ion-conducting zirconium-based ceramics provides enhanced chemical stability in alkaline and acid environments.