United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Derek Lovingood

Jeffery Ray Owens

Michael Henley

Jeffery Eichler

Kara Griffith

A functionalized fiber. The functionalized fiber includes a fiber strand and silica nanoparticles at least partially encapsulating the fiber strand. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolyzing a tetramethyl orthosilicate in hydrochloric acid to form silicic acid monomers. The silicic acid monomers are diluted in acetone and irradiated for a time that is less than 90 seconds with an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy to polymerize the silicic acid monomers into the silica nanoparticles.

Controlled microwave assisted synthesis of functionalized silica nanoparticles

A rapid-setting composition includes fly ash and an activator solution for mixing with the fly ash. The activator solution has a silicate solution including a monovalent hydroxide. The activator solution when mixed with the fly ash produces a composition that has a final set time of no more than about 65 minutes.

Cementitious material

A method of synthesizing silica nanoparticles. The method includes hydrolyzing a silica precursor to form a plurality of monomers, each monomer of the plurality comprising a microwave reactive silicon species. The plurality of monomers is irradiated by an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy. Irradiation cases the plurality of monomers polymerize into a silica nanoparticle.

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Lynn Haven, FL, United States of America

Derek Lovingood