The present disclosure includes a system and method for monitoring degradation of a high temperature composite component (HTC). The HTC is defined by a volume that includes a matrix material and a fiber formed from at least one of ceramic and carbon material. One or more electrical conductors are disposed within the volume and connected directly or indirectly to a monitoring system.

The current invention is a novel addition to the field and comprises a self-sensing high performance fiber reinforced Geopolymer composite (HPFR-GPC) with self-sensing ability. In one or more embodiment, the self-sensing abilities are created by the addition of high performance fibers into a Geopolymer composites. The HPFR-GPC exhibits smart, high performance, energy efficient, and sustainability characteristics including: enhanced tensile ductility, toughness, and strain hardening (including crack width control); improved piezoresistive effects; utilization of industrial by-product; high resistance to acid attacks; and lightweight, low density. When compared to current available embedded or attachable sensors, the current invention offers lower cost, higher durability, and a larger sensing volume.

Electrically conductive binder comprising a cement, a sterically stabilizing superplasticizer, a rheology modifier, graphite particles with carbon content higher than 60%, and graphene; cementitious mixture comprising the binder, and heatable building elements, preferably underfloor heating layers and/or heating panels and/or heating layers close to a wall, as well as floors with underfloor heating systems comprising a layer from the binder.

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 curable binder composition comprising: a) at least one organic binder comprising a polyisocyanate and a polyol, and b) at least 50% by weight of a filler in the form of quartz and/or slag, based on 100% by weight of binder composition.

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.

Methods including preparing a mixture including a binder composition containing at least one binder and at least one mineral filler, and curing the mixture to produce a material having improved electrical conductivity at 20° C., where at least 20% by weight of the at least one mineral filler is iron-containing slag.

An electrical grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive metal grounding substrate that is electrically connectable to a structure to be electrically grounded. A corrosion-protective jacket is on the grounding substrate. The jacket is electrically conductive and water impermeable, and includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate carbonaceous material dispersed in the polymeric matrix.

A method for producing a conductive honeycomb structure includes: a forming step of extruding a forming raw material to obtain a honeycomb formed body; a drying step of drying the honeycomb formed body to obtain a honeycomb dried body; and a firing step of firing the honeycomb dried body to obtain a honeycomb fired body. The forming step includes controlling a volume fraction of a portion that can form pores of the honeycomb formed body so that an absolute value of a difference in the volume fraction of the portion that can form the pores in predetermined regions of the honeycomb formed body relative to a previously set, predetermined porosity of the honeycomb fired body is within 0.5%. The predetermined porosity is a porosity preset for each of the predetermined regions of the honeycomb fired body.

Cured cements, cement slurries, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cured cement comprises cement, carbon nanotube sponges disposed within the cement, and conductive fibers disposed within the cement, in which the conductive fibers interconnect the carbon nanotube sponges and form a conductive web within the cured cement.