A method for producing photocatalytic mortar includes providing a mortar-producing material including a fine aggregate and cement, a reactant mixture including a zinc source and urea, and a microorganism-containing mixture including water and a urease-producing microorganism, subjecting the microorganism-containing mixture and the reactant mixture to microbial induced precipitation in the mortar-producing material, subjecting zinc carbonate crystal-containing mortar produced to curing for the same to undergo hydration, and subjecting cured mortar to hydrothermal synthesis, so that zinc carbonate crystals therein are converted to nano zinc oxide crystals.

The present invention primarily relates to the use of a mixture capable of biocementation as a means of preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth, on/in a substrate.

Class C fly ash-based cementitious materials, concretes, and related techniques are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, an activated class C fly ash-based cementitious material may be produced by intergrinding class C fly ash (e.g., classified to remove quartz and/or other contaminants and, thus, increase the reactive materials present), an activator, sodium citrate, borax, and a polycarboxylate material. The class C fly ash may have an amorphous glass content of about 60 wt % or more, a calcium oxide (CaO.sub.2) content of about 20 wt % or more, and a quartz content of about 10 wt % or less. The activator may be a chemical which reacts with class C fly ash to form strätlingite structures therein when introduced with water. In some cases, the cementitious material may be provided as an all-in-one powder blend. In some case, techniques disclosed herein may be utilized in providing a fast-setting flowable fill material.

The present invention primarily relates to the use of a mixture capable of biocementation as a means of preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth, on/in a substrate.

A tubing string may include a swellable metal material for providing a seal downhole. The swellable metal material may react with a silica material and a water-based fluid to cause the swellable metal material to swell and form a seal within a flow path defined in part by the tubing string.

An insulation material formed of a composition, and a method of making an insulation material is provided. The composition forming the insulation material includes magnesium oxide; at least one of magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and hydrates thereof; water; a foaming agent; a thickener; and a foam stabilizer. The composition is foamed to promote aeration of the composition to reduce density of the insulation material formed from the composition.

Methods for producing construction material utilizing loose pieces of aggregate (30), enzyme producing bacteria, an amount of urea and an amount of calcium ions. A first solution is prepared which includes urease which is formed by enzyme producing bacteria. A second solution is prepared which includes urea and calcium ions. The first and second solutions are added to the loose aggregate (30). The calcium ions contribute to the formation of calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate fills and bonds between at least some of the gaps between the loose pieces of aggregate forming a solid construction material (92).

Methods for producing construction material utilizing loose pieces of aggregate (30), enzyme producing bacteria, an amount of urea and an amount of calcium ions. A first solution is prepared which includes urease which is formed by enzyme producing bacteria. A second solution is prepared which includes urea and calcium ions. The first and second solutions are added to the loose aggregate (30). The calcium ions contribute to the formation of calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate fills and bonds between at least some of the gaps between the loose pieces of aggregate forming a solid construction material (92).

The invention relates to a method for producing a solid construction material which is preferably substantially free of hydraulic binder, comprising the steps of: a. extracting a mineral fraction comprising argillaceous particles of a soil; b. optionally adjusting the particle size of the mineral fraction extracted, in particular in relation to its clay, sand, gravel or loam content, if necessary; c. preparing a first aqueous grout from at least one part of the mineral fraction extracted and optionally adjusted in terms of particle size; d. adding a dispersant that can disperse the argillaceous particles in the first grout in order to obtain a second aqueous grout, e. adding a coagulant that can promote the agglomeration of the argillaceous particles in the second grout in order to obtain an aqueous construction material grout; f introducing the construction material grout into a formwork; and g. allowing the evaporation of the water contained in the material grout in order to obtain a solid construction material.

The invention relates to a method for producing a solid construction material which is preferably substantially free of hydraulic binder, comprising the steps of: a. extracting a mineral fraction comprising argillaceous particles of a soil; b. optionally adjusting the particle size of the mineral fraction extracted, in particular in relation to its clay, sand, gravel or loam content, if necessary; c. preparing a first aqueous grout from at least one part of the mineral fraction extracted and optionally adjusted in terms of particle size; d. adding a dispersant that can disperse the argillaceous particles in the first grout in order to obtain a second aqueous grout, e. adding a coagulant that can promote the agglomeration of the argillaceous particles in the second grout in order to obtain an aqueous construction material grout; f introducing the construction material grout into a formwork; and g. allowing the evaporation of the water contained in the material grout in order to obtain a solid construction material.