Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

Alumina-modified colloidal silica nanoparticles mitigate Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in cementitious compositions. Additives containing the nanoparticles are used in methods of reducing ASR in concrete and to form cementitious compositions. Cementitious products, such as concrete, made by these methods are described herein.

Alumina-modified colloidal silica nanoparticles mitigate Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in cementitious compositions. Additives containing the nanoparticles are used in methods of reducing ASR in concrete and to form cementitious compositions. Cementitious products, such as concrete, made by these methods are described herein.

Disclosed are: damage-resistant ECMCs that need to work and remain elastic between minus 120° C. and positive 300° C.; ECMCs that need to be able to contain a flame of 1900° C. for more than 90 minutes; and composite structures, especially highly stressed structures. One of the characteristic problems of ceramic matrices is their fragility. Indeed, when a fracture starts, it propagates easily in the matrix. Disclosed are elastic ceramic matrix composites (ECMCs), for which: the ceramic matrix is split into solid “ceramic microdomains” (CMDs); the CMDs are connected to one another by a dense network of “elastic microelements” (EMEs); and the bonds between the EMEs and the CMDs are strong chemical bonds, preferably covalent.

Disclosed are: damage-resistant ECMCs that need to work and remain elastic between minus 120° C. and positive 300° C.; ECMCs that need to be able to contain a flame of 1900° C. for more than 90 minutes; and composite structures, especially highly stressed structures. One of the characteristic problems of ceramic matrices is their fragility. Indeed, when a fracture starts, it propagates easily in the matrix. Disclosed are elastic ceramic matrix composites (ECMCs), for which: the ceramic matrix is split into solid “ceramic microdomains” (CMDs); the CMDs are connected to one another by a dense network of “elastic microelements” (EMEs); and the bonds between the EMEs and the CMDs are strong chemical bonds, preferably covalent.

A method for forming a refractory material is described comprising the steps of placing a core material 12 into a granulator device 16, operating the granulator device 16 to form the core material into granules 16, adding a coating material 18 to the granulator device 16, operating the granulator device 16 to result in the formation of a layer 20 of the coating material 18 encapsulating the granules 16, and then heating the coated granules 22. Materials manufactured using the method are also described.

A method for forming a refractory material is described comprising the steps of placing a core material 12 into a granulator device 16, operating the granulator device 16 to form the core material into granules 16, adding a coating material 18 to the granulator device 16, operating the granulator device 16 to result in the formation of a layer 20 of the coating material 18 encapsulating the granules 16, and then heating the coated granules 22. Materials manufactured using the method are also described.

Expansive cement compositions for use in subterranean wellbores that include a monophase amorphous hydraulic binder material (MAHBM). The MAHBM may include a plurality of particles having a silica core and an amorphous coating substantially surrounding the silica core. The coating may comprise, for example, a plurality of amorphous α-dicalcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles or microparticles. The MAHBM may be used as an expansion agent in a cement composition or used as an expansive cement by itself.

Expansive cement compositions for use in subterranean wellbores that include a monophase amorphous hydraulic binder material (MAHBM). The MAHBM may include a plurality of particles having a silica core and an amorphous coating substantially surrounding the silica core. The coating may comprise, for example, a plurality of amorphous α-dicalcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles or microparticles. The MAHBM may be used as an expansion agent in a cement composition or used as an expansive cement by itself.

Disclosed are: damage-resistant ECMCs that need to work and remain elastic between minus 120° C. and positive 300° C.; ECMCs that need to be able to contain a flame of 1900° C. for more than 90 minutes; and composite structures, especially highly stressed structures. One of the characteristic problems of ceramic matrices is their fragility. Indeed, when a fracture starts, it propagates easily in the matrix. Disclosed are elastic ceramic matrix composites (ECMCs), for which: the ceramic matrix is split into solid “ceramic microdomains” (CMDs); the CMDs are connected to one another by a dense network of “elastic microelements” (EMEs); and the bonds between the EMEs and the CMDs are strong chemical bonds, preferably covalent.