Dpd, Inc.

Metna Co

Michigan State University

Other

Technova Corporation

Parviz Soroushian

Anagi Manjula Balachandra

Jer-Wen Hsu

Amirpasha Peyvandi

Mohammad Sayyar Bidgoli

Jue Lu

Mohamad Z Bayasi

Augustine C Okwuegbu

Khodabakhsh Ostovari

Muhammad Maqbool Sadiq

Iman Harsini

Ali Nossoni

The disclosure relates to cementitious binder compositions, related concrete compositions, and related methods. The cementitious binder includes a cement augmented with particulate glass (e.g., mixed color waste glass) and a reactive particulate mineral and/or metal salt such as sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate. The cementitious binder can be combined with aggregate and used to form corresponding (cured) concrete compositions. Inclusion of the reactive particulate material improves the set time and early-age strength development of the cured compositions.

Augmented cementitious binder compositions and related methods

A method of joining two articles through a nano-enhanced joining medium is described. Nanomaterials are applied to the surfaces of sheets made of the joining medium via casting or spraying. Said sheets with nanomaterial coatings are then placed between the joining surfaces of the articles, and then application of pressure and heating is used to form a nano-engineered structural joint at the interface of said articles. The distinctly high specific surface area of nanomaterials and the energetic preference of their functionalized surfaces for bonding facilitate the joining process. Nano-engineered structural joints complement high strength levels with desired toughness and the compliance needed for accommodating deformation (e.g. thermal expansion) mismatches of joined articles without generating high stress levels near their interface. The limited quantity (per unit joint surface area) of nanomaterials utilized in nano-engineered joints benefits their economic viability.

Nano-engineered structural joints: materials, procedures and applications thereof

Method of joining articles using microscale brazing alloy particles reinforced with slender nanomaterials is described. Surface modified graphite nanomaterials were dispersed in a medium comprised of metal alloy particles, this dispersion was introduced at the interface between the joining articles followed by heating under ultra high vacuum. The nanomaterial-to-metal alloy surface contacts were enhanced by at least one of fusion, embedment and chemical reaction phenomena under high temperature and ultra high vacuum yielding true nanocomposite at the interface. The fusion, embedment and chemical reaction phenomena enhance at least one of the mechanical, electrical, thermal, durability and functional attributes of these contact points, which translate into improved properties of the joined article. The enhanced contact points enable effective use of the distinct qualities of nanomaterials towards development of joints which offer unique balances of strength, ductility, toughness, energy absorption, thermal stability, weathering resistance and other characteristics.

Joining via nano-scale reinforced bonding media: materials, procedures and applications thereof

Ultra-high-performance cementitious materials are made using suitably functionalized and relatively low-cost carbon nanofibers and graphite platelets. Polyelectrolytes and surfactants are physisorbed upon these graphite nanomaterials in water, and dispersion of nanomaterials in water is achieved by stirring. Stable and well-dispersed suspensions of nanomaterials in water are realized without using energy-intensive and costly methods, and also without the use of materials which could hinder the hydration and strength development of ultra-high-performance cementitious materials. The water incorporating dispersed nanomaterials is then mixed with the cementitious matrix and, optionally, microfibers, and cured following standard concrete mixing and curing practices. The resulting cementitious materials incorporating graphite nanomaterials and optionally microfibers offer a desired balance of strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, moisture barrier attributes, durability and fire resistance.

Ultra high performance concrete reinforced with low-cost graphite nanomaterials and microfibers, and method for production thereof

A solid electrolyte and a piezoelectric material are incorporated into composite shaped articles to provide them with self-healing and adaptive qualities. The piezoelectric constituent converts the mechanical energy concentrated in critical areas into electrical energy which, in turn, guides and drives electrolytic transport of mass within the solid electrolyte towards, and its electrodeposition at critical areas to render self-healing and adaptive effects.

Self-healing and adaptive shaped articles

The present invented mechanism comprises more than two (legs) with phase difference (like polygon-shape, ellipse-shape, and etc) between their rotation angles to produce pre-loading for improved adhesion. Two rigid plates covered with adhesives are attached to each phase difference wheel. Each plate connects to the wheels via a hinge embodying a torsional spring, which forces the plate back to its original position after each contact with surface. The phase difference wheels are made of elastic materials for application of controlled pre-loads at contact surfaces during locomotion. The difference between height and width of each wheel as well as the elastic properties of the materials determine the pre-load pressure applied during locomotion. The pre-load pressure is not strongly dependent on the orientation of locomotion. This enables locomotion in vertical, inclined and even upside-down orientation and also in the non-gravity environment.

Self-loading locomotion mechanism and application thereof

Shaped articles with the inherent capability to evolve in response to at least one of external and internal stimuli are described. These articles comprise at least one solid electrolyte with at least one dissolved salt, and at least one interface which involves a solid electrolytes and a conductive solid. Electric potential gradients, generated within the solid electrolyte by at least one of external and internal stimuli, guide and drive the self-healing and adaptation phenomena. The electric potential gradient is generated by at least one of the following effects: (i) direct application of an electric potential across the solid electrolyte; (ii) introduction of interfaces of different electrode potentials between the solid electrolyte and conductive solids; (iii) introduction of an interface between the solid electrolyte and a conductive solid embodying atoms of lower ionization energy than at least one of the atoms forming the ions of the dissolved salt in solid electrolyte; (iv) application of external load and environmental effects which, either directly or when interacting with defects developed in the article during manufacturing and use, generate stress and temperature gradients which, in turn, produce or magnify the potential gradients between the interfaces with solid electrolyte. The mechanisms through which the electric potential gradient generated by different stimuli bring about changes in article performance involve migration of ions and their electrodeposition within the solid electrolyte and at interfaces.

Adaptive composite materials

Pseudoelastic elements are shaped in order to form springs which exhibit relatively constant force levels over a major fraction of maximum deflection capacity during loading and also during unloading. The shape of sail pseudoelastic elements is chosen to concentrate at least one of flexural and torsional deformations within limited regions. The element may be braced outside said regions in order to further concentrate deformations within said regions. Loading of said pseudoelastic springs thus produces strains within said regions which are largely corresponding to the upper pseudoelastic stress plateau where strain variations cause relatively small changes in stress. Unloading of said pseudoelastic springs also produces strains within said regions which are largely corresponding to the lower stress plateau of the pseudoelastic stress-strain curve where stress is subject to relatively small changes with strain variations. Said psueodoelastic springs can be used in brush holders which can benefit from a relatively constant level of force as deflections occur due to brush wear.

Pseudoelastic springs with concentrated deformations and applications thereof

Concrete materials are impregnated with liquids which harden within concrete pores and microcracks, and develop a sharp contrast with the body of concrete in microscopic images. The impregnation process involves vacuum application to remove air from concrete pores and microcracks, followed by the introduction of liquids under pressure. The sharp contrast between the impregnated (and hardened) liquid and the body of concrete facilitates distinction of pores and microcracks in microscopic images for the purpose of automated image analysis.

Preparation of concrete samples for microscopic analysis

A thermoplastic polymer of relatively low melt temperature is blended with at least one of thermosets, elastomers, and thermoplastics of relatively high melt temperature in order to produce a polymer blend which absorbs relatively high quantities of latent heat without melting or major loss of physical and mechanical characteristics as temperature is raised above the melting temperature of the low-melt-temperature thermoplastic. The polymer blend can be modified by the addition of at least one of fillers, fibers, fire retardants, compatibilisers, colorants, and processing aids. The polymer blend may be used in applications where advantage can be taken of the absorption of excess heat by a component which remains solid and retains major fractions of its physical and mechanical characteristics while absorbing relatively high quantities of latent heat.

Polymer alloys with balanced heat storage capacity and engineering attributes and applications thereof

Shape-memory fibers are incorporated into a metal matrix material with a level of fiber-to-matrix bonding so that upon localized failure of matrix under load, the strains in fibers debond them from the matrix to the extent that fibers do not all rupture at the location of matrix failure. The pull-out process of fibers ruptured away from the matrix failure location provides the composite material with substantially increased ductility and energy absorption capacity after localized failure of the matrix. Pre-tensioning of shape-memory fibers impose sustained stresses on matrix which enhance the strength and energy absorption capacity of the composite material. The shape-memory fibers may be incorporated into a metal matrix at their end so that fibers pull out from the matrix under load and provide an energy-absorbing assembly.

Metal matrix materials reinforced with shape memory fibers for enhanced

Pulp fibers derived from wood or non-wood plants or recycled paper products, which are 0.1-30 mm long and about 0.001-0.1 mm in equivalent diameter, are individualized by mechanical action, blended with at least one of the dry ingredients of the cement-based material and then mixed with the remaining ingredients of conventional cement-based mixtures using conventional mixing equipment for effectively improving fresh and hardened properties of cement-based materials. Dispersion is achieved by individualizing the plant pulp fibers by mechanical action, and further by blending the individualized fibers with at least one of the dry ingredients of the mix and then with the remaining ingredients of the cement-based material, with fibers added at relatively low dosages of about 0.3-30 kg per cubic meter. The affinity of plant pulp fibers for water facilitates their dispersion in conventional cement-based mixtures. Fresh mixtures of cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers possess desirable workability, resistance to segregation and bleeding, pumpability, finishability, and reduced rebound when pneumatically applied. Hardened cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers provide improved crack resistance, toughness characteristics, impact resistance, fatigue life, abrasion resistance, and other mechanical, physical and durability characteristics. Plain and reinforced concrete and shotcrete as well as precast and cast-in-place concrete, plaster and stucco, mortar, grout and flowable fill are examples of cement-based materials which can benefit from the improvements in fresh and hardened material properties rendered by dispersed plant pulp fibers.

Dry dispersion of plant pulp in concrete and use thereof

A CO.sub.2 pre-curing period is used prior to accelerated (steam or high-pressure steam) curing of cement and concrete products in order to: (1) prepare the products to withstand the high temperature and vapor pressure in the accelerated curing environment without microcracking and damage; and (2) incorporate the advantages of carbonation reactions in terms of dimensional stability, chemical stability, increased strength and hardness, and improved abrasion resistance into cement and concrete products without substantially modifying the conventional procedures of accelerated curing. Depending on the moisture content of the product, the invention may accomplish CO.sub.2 pre-curing by first drying the product (e.g. at slightly elevated temperature) and then expose it to a carbon dioxide-rich environment. Vigorous reactions of cement paste in the presence of carbon dioxide provide the products with enhanced strength, integrity and chemical and dimensional stability in a relatively short time period. Subsequent accelerated curing, even at reduced time periods (with less energy and cost consumptions) would produce higher performance characteristics than achievable with the conventional pre-setting period followed by accelerated curing of cement and concrete products.

Accelerated curing of cement-based materials

Pulp fibers derived from wood or non-wood plants or recycled paper products are individualized and dispersed in water, and mixed into cement-based mixtures using conventional mixing procedures at relatively low dosages of about 0.3-30 kg of fiber per cubic meter of concrete. Once individualized, the affinity of plant pulp fibers for water facilitates their dispersion in normal cement-based mixtures. Fresh cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers provide desirable workability, resistance to segregation and bleeding, pumpability, finishability, and reduced rebound when pneumatically applied. Hardened cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers provide improvements in crack resistance, toughness, impact resistance, fatigue life, abrasion resistance, and other mechanical, physical and durability characteristics.

Wet dispersion of plant pulp in concrete and use thereof

A method and an apparatus is provided for accelerated processing of cement-bonded particleboard or fiberboard under pressure through the injection of a diluted carbon dioxide gas. The method and apparatus yield controlled, thorough and efficient acceleration of the curing process, reduce the cost and raw material consumption in the process, broaden the raw materials basis for the production of cement-bonded particleboard and fiberboard, and yield end products with improved mechanical, physical and durability characteristics. Streamlined processing plants with improved productivity and efficiency can be based around this invention for the production of cement-bonded particleboards and fiberboards with improved performance characteristics.

Growing community of inventors

Okemos, MI, United States of America

Parviz Soroushian