Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. The method involves providing a coatable composition containing an inorganic binder and a variety of photocatalytic particles, such as TiO2, ZnO, Ti(OH)4, doped derivatives, or combinations thereof. These photocatalytic particles have a surface area per weight of no more than 15 m2/g. The coatable composition is then applied to uncoated base ceramic granules, resulting in intermediate coated granules. Finally, the intermediate coated granules are heated at a temperature of at least 700° C., leading to the formation of photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. These granules exhibit a Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) value of at least 0.7. This method offers an efficient and effective way to produce ceramic granules with enhanced photocatalytic properties.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: A plurality of non-white roofing granules is provided. The roofing granules include a plurality of particles including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder; and a non-white pigment-containing coating disposed on at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles. Methods of making the roofing granules are also provided. One method includes: mixing material including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder to provide agglomerates; curing the agglomerates to provide particles; and coating at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles with a non-white pigment-containing coating. Another method of making the roofing granules includes: providing an aqueous dispersion in a tool having cavities, the aqueous dispersion including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder; curing the aqueous dispersion in the tool to provide particles; and coating at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles with a non-white pigment-containing coating.

Abstract: A method of applying a two-part dental sealant is described comprising providing a syringe device (1) comprising a cartridge (10) including first and second chamber. The first chamber contains a first part of a dental sealant comprising a (meth)acrylate resin and an oxidizing curing agent. The second chamber contains a second part of a dental sealant comprising a (meth)acrylate resin and a reducing curing agent that reacts with the oxidizing curing agent of the first chamber. The first and/or second part of the dental sealant further comprise a single component or multiple components that neutralize acid and promote remineralization. The syringe device comprises a dispensing nozzle (17) comprising a static mixer and an outlet at one end of the cartridge and a plunger (20) at the opposing end of the cartridge. Also described is a kit for storing and applying the dental sealant is described.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising particulate silicate material bonded together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the hardener is at least one of aluminum phosphate, amorphous aluminosilicate, fluorosilicate, Portland cement, or a calcium silicate, wherein the particulate silicate material is present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have Tumble Toughness Value of at least 70 before immersion in water and at least 40 after immersion in water at 20° C.±2° C. for two months. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: A plurality of photocatalytic coated ceramic granules comprising base ceramic granules, each having an outer surface, and a photocatalytic coating disposed on the outer surface. The photocatalytic coating comprising an inorganic binder and a plurality of photocatalytic particles selected from TiO2, ZnO, Ti(OH)4, doped derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. The photocatalytic particles have a surface area per weight of tire particles of no more than 30 square meters per gram (m2/g). The coated ceramic granules have a Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7.

Abstract: A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.

Abstract: A granule and building material including a granule having an inner zone and an outer zone that at least partially surrounds the inner zone and that comprises greater than 10% of the total volume of the granule is provided.

Abstract: An uncolored roofing granule including a low solar absorption base and a low solar absorption and solar opaque coating presented on the base, the coating including a binder, a pigment, wherein the binder includes a curable component and a non-clay, thermally reactive curing agent.

Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

Abstract: To provide transparent solid spheres with high refractive index and large particle size. The transparent solid spheres of one aspect of the present disclosure include barium oxide, zirconium dioxide, and titanium dioxide on a theoretical oxide basis, and has a refractive index of at least 2.0 and a particle size of 600 micrometers or greater.

Abstract: A hardenable (e.g. dental) compositions is described comprising an encapsulated material. The encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material having certain viscosity criteria. Also described are dispensing devices and kits are described comprising a hardenable (e.g. dental) composition comprising a liquid material and an encapsulated material wherein the encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core. The dispensing devices and kits can facilitate the methods of applying the hardenable composition. The hardenable or hardened (e.g. cured) composition can provide various technical effects such as a delayed release of a basic core material, a delayed increase in basicity, promoting remineralization of a tooth or bone structure, and increasing the average alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of pulp cells. In some embodiments, the composition is a dental (e.g.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present application relates to dark-colored retroreflective pavement markings. The dark-colored retroreflective pavement markings may be used in a system that provides information about the arrangement of pavement markings to a sensor on a vehicle. This arrangement may be used to aid in the identification of a particular lane on a roadway.

Abstract: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the core comprises first ceramic particles bound together with a first inorganic binder, wherein the first inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the shell comprises at least a first concentric layer, wherein the first layer comprises a second inorganic binder and optionally second ceramic particles, wherein if present the second ceramic particles are bound together with the second inorganic binder, wherein the second inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein for a given granule, the first ceramic particles are present in a first weight percent with respect to the total weight of the core and the second ceramic particles, if present in the first layer of the same granule are in a second weight percent with respect to the total weight of the first layer, wherein for a given granule, the

Abstract: A magnetizable abrasive particle. The magnetizable abrasive particle has a ceramic particle having an outer surface; and a continuous metal coating on the outer surface; wherein the core hardness of the ceramic particle is at least 15 GPa; wherein the continuous metal coating comprises iron, cobalt or an alloy of iron and cobalt; and wherein the thickness of the continuous metal coating is less than 1000 nm. A method of making the magnetizable abrasive particle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Article comprising particles in an organic polymer matrix comprising a cured thiol-alkene resin having a Tg>20° C., wherein the particles comprise a composite core and a continuous nonmetallic inorganic coating covering the composite core, wherein the composite core comprises a nonmetallic inorganic matrix, ligands, and quantum dots, wherein the nonmetallic inorganic matrix is present in the composite core in an amount of up to 40 volume percent, and wherein the coating has an average thickness up to 5 micrometers. Exemplary articles described herein can be made for use in display applications such as films, LED caps, LED coatings, LED lenses, and light guides. Exemplary articles described herein can be made for use in nondisplay applications such as security applications where quantum dot phosphors are used to provide fluorescence at selected or tailored wavelengths. In such uses, the organic polymer matrix could be a label or a coating on a label, or other articles such as a card or tag.

Abstract: Article comprising composite particles in an organic polymer matrix comprising a cured thiol-alkene resin having a Tg>20° C., the composite particles comprising a hydrophobic nonmetallic inorganic matrix, ligands, and quantum dots, wherein the hydrophobic nonmetallic inorganic matrix is present in the composite particles in an amount of up to 40 volume percent. Exemplary articles described herein can be made for use for display applications such as films, LED caps, LED coatings, LED lenses, and light guides. Exemplary articles described herein can be made for use for non-display applications such as security applications where quantum dot phosphors are used to provide fluorescence at selected or tailored wavelengths. In such uses, the organic polymer matrix could be a label or a coating on a label, or other articles such as a card or tag.

Abstract: A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.