A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

Composite fibers and methods of manufacturing composite fibers for the reinforcement of concrete are provided. The composite fibers include fibers and a polymeric coating. The composite fibers have a length of about 10 mm to about 80 mm and an equivalent diameter from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. A method for reinforcing concrete using the composite fibers is further provided.

Composite fibers and methods of manufacturing composite fibers for the reinforcement of concrete are provided. The composite fibers include fibers and a polymeric coating. The composite fibers have a length of about 10 mm to about 80 mm and an equivalent diameter from about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm. A method for reinforcing concrete using the composite fibers is further provided.

A method of cementing a wellbore comprises injecting into the wellbore a cement slurry comprising an encapsulated accelerant comprising an accelerant encapsulated within an encapsulation material; a cementitious material; and an aqueous carrier; and releasing the accelerant from the encapsulation material.

A method of cementing a wellbore comprises injecting into the wellbore a cement slurry comprising an encapsulated accelerant comprising an accelerant encapsulated within an encapsulation material; a cementitious material; and an aqueous carrier; and releasing the accelerant from the encapsulation material.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

The invention relates to a method for producing artificial crushed sand by means of a thermal treatment using sand in the form of fine sand (FS/FSa) and/or round sand as the starting material (1). The starting material (1) in variant A is heated to a melting temperature by bundling sun rays (13), and/or the starting material in variant B is heated to a melting temperature by using a conventional melting device which achieves its energy supply using converted or stored solar power, whereby each of a plurality of sand grains are melted together into a three-dimensional intermediate product (2). The intermediate product (2) produced in this manner is cooled and finally comminuted to a particle size of less than 2 mm in a comminuting process. An end product (3) is produced which differs from the starting material (1) with respect to the shape and surface roughness. The method offers a long-term solution for meeting the demand for crushed sand and provides sand for the construction industry.

The invention relates to a method for producing artificial crushed sand by means of a thermal treatment using sand in the form of fine sand (FS/FSa) and/or round sand as the starting material (1). The starting material (1) in variant A is heated to a melting temperature by bundling sun rays (13), and/or the starting material in variant B is heated to a melting temperature by using a conventional melting device which achieves its energy supply using converted or stored solar power, whereby each of a plurality of sand grains are melted together into a three-dimensional intermediate product (2). The intermediate product (2) produced in this manner is cooled and finally comminuted to a particle size of less than 2 mm in a comminuting process. An end product (3) is produced which differs from the starting material (1) with respect to the shape and surface roughness. The method offers a long-term solution for meeting the demand for crushed sand and provides sand for the construction industry.