Methods and compositions are described for concrete repair using a non-naturally occurring or a synthetic catalyst. The catalyst includes an aromatic hydrocarbon having an active zinc ion configured to facilitate interaction between carbon dioxide and water and to precipitate concrete repairing calcium carbonate crystals. The catalyst is an analog of zinc cyclen, zinc and an indole-based molecule, and zinc tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA).

Examples of new polymer-modified cement formulations with self-healing capability at ambient temperature are described. These polymer-modified cements can be readily mixed with typical fine and coarse aggregates to build new concrete structures. One example of such a formulation includes a concrete comprising a MBA-BDA polymer having bond forming chemical functionality configured to form a bonding matrix between the polymer and at least one component of the concrete at a temperature less than 50 degrees C. wherein the matrix obtains at least 70% recovery of compressive strength after a damage event.

Examples of new polymer-modified cement formulations with self-healing capability at ambient temperature are described. These polymer-modified cements can be readily mixed with typical fine and coarse aggregates to build new concrete structures. One example of such a formulation includes a concrete comprising a MBA-BDA polymer having bond forming chemical functionality configured to form a bonding matrix between the polymer and at least one component of the concrete at a temperature less than 50 degrees C. wherein the matrix obtains at least 70% recovery of compressive strength after a damage event.

A method of sealing propagating cracks in a sensor-laden cement sheath comprising the steps of monitoring an electrical resistivity of the sensor-laden cement sheath to produce a measured value, wherein the sensor-laden cement sheath comprises a conductive sensor, an on-demand expanding agent, and a cement, activating a heat source when the measured value of the electrical resistivity is greater than an activation threshold, increasing a temperature of the sensor-laden cement sheath with the heat source to an activation temperature, wherein the activation temperature is operable to initiate a reaction between the on-demand expanding agent and water, wherein the activation temperature is greater than a formation temperature, reacting the on-demand expanding agent with water to produce a swelled agent, wherein the swelled agent occupies a greater volume than the on-demand expanding agent, and sealing the propagating cracks in the sensor-laden cement sheath with the swelled agent.

A method of sealing propagating cracks in a sensor-laden cement sheath comprising the steps of monitoring an electrical resistivity of the sensor-laden cement sheath to produce a measured value, wherein the sensor-laden cement sheath comprises a conductive sensor, an on-demand expanding agent, and a cement, activating a heat source when the measured value of the electrical resistivity is greater than an activation threshold, increasing a temperature of the sensor-laden cement sheath with the heat source to an activation temperature, wherein the activation temperature is operable to initiate a reaction between the on-demand expanding agent and water, wherein the activation temperature is greater than a formation temperature, reacting the on-demand expanding agent with water to produce a swelled agent, wherein the swelled agent occupies a greater volume than the on-demand expanding agent, and sealing the propagating cracks in the sensor-laden cement sheath with the swelled agent.

A concrete-forming composition for producing a concrete article including: (a) at least one internal curing agent including a water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether wherein the water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether has a higher water adsorption capacity compared to typically used superabsorbent polymers and wherein the water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether can be successfully and efficiently used as a water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose either internal curing agent in concrete-forming compositions; and (b) a cementitious material; a process for making the above concrete-forming composition; and a concrete article made from the above concrete-forming composition with the objective of reducing autogenous shrinkage and crack formation in the resulting concrete article made from the above concrete-forming composition.

A concrete-forming composition for producing a concrete article including: (a) at least one internal curing agent including a water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether wherein the water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether has a higher water adsorption capacity compared to typically used superabsorbent polymers and wherein the water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose ether can be successfully and efficiently used as a water-insoluble crosslinked cellulose either internal curing agent in concrete-forming compositions; and (b) a cementitious material; a process for making the above concrete-forming composition; and a concrete article made from the above concrete-forming composition with the objective of reducing autogenous shrinkage and crack formation in the resulting concrete article made from the above concrete-forming composition.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions including a plurality of capsules each independently comprising an outer wall and an inner compartment, the inner compartment independently comprising at least one of a first hardenable resin, a first hardener or activator, and a solvent, self-healing hardened resins formed from the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing the composition in a subterranean formation, and forming a selfhealing hardened resin in the subterranean formation from the composition.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions including a plurality of capsules each independently comprising an outer wall and an inner compartment, the inner compartment independently comprising at least one of a first hardenable resin, a first hardener or activator, and a solvent, self-healing hardened resins formed from the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing the composition in a subterranean formation, and forming a selfhealing hardened resin in the subterranean formation from the composition.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.