Abstract: A nanocomposite material suitable for electrical insulation includes a polymer compounded with a substantially homogeneously distributed functionalized nanoparticle filler. The nanocomposite material is produced by compounding the polymer with the functionalized nanoparticle filler by imparting a shear force to a mixture of the polymer and filler capable of preventing agglomeration of the filler whereby the filler is substantially homogeneously distributed in the nanocomposite material. The electrical insulation may be adapted for AC or DC high voltage, and may also be adapted for low or medium voltage to prevent formation of water tree structures.

Abstract: An admixture formulation of at least one polycarboxylate dispersant and at least one naphthalene dispersant is provided. When the polycarboxylate dispersant and the naphthalene dispersant of the admixture formulation are combined at various ratios the admixture formulation reduces the tendency for bleed and segregation in cementitious mixtures without increasing water demand, retarding setting, increasing water sensitivity, promoting high viscosity, or reducing flow retention.

Abstract: A method of making a compound of formula II comprising the reaction of a compound of formula RCONH2 with a compound of formula III R being a moiety having between 1 and 15 carbon atoms and optionally from 1 to 5 heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and X and Y being independently selected front the group consisting of H, methyl, ethyl, OMe, OEt, and mixtures thereof; the reaction being performed in a solvent in the presence of a base. The method is useful for the inexpensive manufacture of certain commercially-valuable compounds, including some that have desirable cooling properties.

Abstract: A compound of the formula I in which X and Y are selected as follows: (i) X is H and Y is selected from the group consisting of (ii) X and Y together form a bivalent radical selected from the group consisting of —O—CH2—O—, —N?CH—O— and —N?CH—S— thus forming together with the carbon atoms to which the radical is attached a 5-membered ring. The compounds have cooling properties and are useful in, for example, foodstuffs, dentifrices and cosmetics.

Abstract: Provided is an expansion joint system including: at least one transversely extending vehicular load bearing member; and an electrical energy generator connected to a component of the expansion joint system for capturing displacements having kinetic energy; an amplifier for amplifying the captured displacements; and an energy converter for converting said kinetic energy of the amplified displacements to electrical energy. Various embodiments including an electrical junction box, a cathodic protection system, dampers, and/or data acquisitions systems integrated with the electrical energy generator are also provided.

Abstract: A fluid jet cutting process for fibrous materials, such as inorganic fibrous material articles is provided. A fluid composition for use in the fluid jet cutting process is also provided. The cutting fluid composition contains a carrier fluid and coating composition for the cut surfaces of the fibrous material. An apparatus for carrying out the fluid jet cutting process of fibrous materials is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a settable mixture comprising (i) a water absorbing composition and (ii) an aqueous emulsion of organic polymer or (iii) dispersible organic polymer, wherein the water absorbing composition (i) contains inorganic ingredients which are capable to react with water and the water absorbing composition (i) contains at least 13 weight % lime and at least 5 weight % of a cementitious composition of which components form ettringite during the absorption of water and wherein the amount of the aqueous emulsion of organic polymer (ii) in relation to (i) is such as to provide a ratio of combined weight of polymer solids to combined weight of ingredients which are capable to react with water of from 0.5:1 to 10:1, preferably 1:1 to 4:1 and wherein the amount of dispersible organic polymer (iii) in relation to (i) is such as to give a ratio of combined weight of polymers to combined weight of ingredients which are capable to react with water of from 0.5:1 to 10:1, preferably 1:1 to 4:1.

Abstract: A tool and method for making precision cuts with conventional saws and other woodworking machines. The shape of an inside or outside corner of a construction, such as a wall construction, is obtained with the tool, and the tool is used to as a guide to set the blade of the cutting apparatus to the proper cutting position. The tool may be used to indicate the mitre cuts for both inside and outside wall corners without having to measure the angle with a measuring tool and determine the precise degrees of the angles to be cut.

Abstract: A fire-blocking paper (22, 52) is adapted for incorporation into a fire-barrier film laminate (16, 46) for use in thermal and acoustical insulation systems (10, 40), such as, but not limited to, those used in commercial aircraft. The fire-blocking inorganic fiber paper (22, 52) can be laminated to a flame resistant film (24a, 24b, 54a, 54b). The fire-blocking paper (22, 52) may include inorganic bio-soluble fiber, chopped glass non-respirable fibers, organic reinforcing fibers, organic binder, and inorganic binder or filler; and, optionally or refractory ceramic fibers.

Abstract: An improved binder clip is provided. The binder clip includes a clamping means, opposed gripping means attached to the clamping means, and a label holder that is attached to, or that is integral with, the clamping means. An identifying label is inserted into the label holder for easy identification of the material that is bound by the binder clip.

Abstract: A method of reducing wear in a cutting head of a tunnel boring machine, by means of the addition at the cutting head of a foamed aqueous liquid composition, which comprises a foaming agent and a lubricant, the lubricant being selected from the group consisting of high molecular weight polyethylene oxides and bentonite. Preferred foaming agents are anionic and nonionic surfactants. Wear rates of cutting elements of TBMs boring in hard rock are considerably reduced. A wear-reducing foamable concentrate is also described.

Abstract: A method of boring a tunnel by means of an earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine, comprising the injection at the cutting head of a foamed aqueous solution and an aqueous solution of a water-soluble acrylic acid-based polymer. The method allows easier tunnel boring in soft, sticky soils.

Abstract: A conduit (1) having a substantially semi-circular outer cross-section comprising a base portion (3) and a lid portion (2), the lid portion (2) being attached to the base portion (3) by a hinge (4) and having a clip (23) on the opposite side, wherein the hinge (4) is located at an angular elevation from the base of between 10° and 35°, the base portion (3) having a clip socket for retaining the clip (23), wherein the clip socket comprises an outer wall (32), which forms part of the semi-circular outer cross-section, and an inner wall (33), between which is defined a channel (34) for the clip (23), the height of the inner wall above the bottom of the base portion (3) being substantially the same as the height of the hinge (4) above the bottom of the base portion (3).

Abstract: An electrical energy generator that converts kinetic energy harvested from voluntary motor activity of a human or animal to electrical energy. The electrical energy generator includes a housing, a coil of electrically conductive material, a reciprocally movable electromagnetically active mass, springs connecting the mass to either the housing or to adjustment means engaged with said housing, and, optionally, means for constraining non-linear motion of the electromagnetically active mass, and/or means of mitigating motion retardation of the electromagnetically active mass within any existing housing atmosphere. The electrical energy generator may be associated with a carried item, such as a backpack.

Abstract: A method of lubrication of the passage of a cementitious composition through a conduit, comprising the addition to the conduit prior to addition thereto of the cementitious composition of an aqueous solution of a solid lubricating composition consisting essentially of (i) an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, (ii) poly(ethylene oxide), and (iii) anionic sulphate surfactant. The use of this composition allows the convenient achievement of flow, without the necessity to mix sometimes substantial quantities of cement slurry in situ.

Abstract: The surface of rock or soil, newly-exposed, for example, by tunnelling, and having the tendency to become friable on exposure to the atmosphere, can be protected by forming thereon a film by the process of combining on the surface at least one coagulable material and a coagulating agent therefor. The preferred coagulable material is an aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably one which has some degree of elastomeric properties, and preferably one which additionally is anionically stabilized.

Abstract: A cooked and de-boned substantially intact slab of rib meat is provided. A process for preparing a de-boned rib meat product from a pork or beef rib cut is also provided. The process for preparing the rib meat product involves cooking a length of rib meat having rib bones embedded therein at a temperature and for a time sufficient to enable the removal of the rib bones from the length of rib meat, while maintaining a substantially intact length of rib meat.

Abstract: A defoaming agent for cementitious compositions is provided, which has an excellent defoaming performance and does not segregate when mixed with a high performance AE water-reducing agent to form a single admixture or when diluted in water at the desired concentration, and which has excellent long term storage properties. The defoaming agent for cementitious compositions is obtained by mixing at least a polyethylene oxide derivative and a nonionic defoaming agent wherein the polyethylene oxide derivative has at one end a hydrophobic group with a branched structure and/or an unsaturated bond and at the other end an anionic group.

Abstract: To provide a liquid accelerator which excels in accelerating effect and which also excels in storage stability at low temperature and inhibitory effect of alkali-aggregation reaction. A liquid accelerator composed of a fluoride-containing aqueous aluminum salt which is obtained through the reaction of aluminum sulfate and hydrofluoric acid, aluminum hydroxide, and one or more kinds of lithium salts selected from the group consisting of lithium hydroxides, lithium carbonates, and lithium sulfates.

Abstract: An improved freeze-thaw durability cementitious composition is provided that uses at least partially degradable polymeric particles that are blended directly into the cementitious composition mixture. The degradable polymeric particles provide void spaces in the cementitious material matrix, and such void spaces act to increase freeze-thaw durability of the cementitious material.