Abstract: Provided are construction material granules. In one embodiment, the granules include a core enclosed by a layer comprising a conductive material and a layer comprising a dielectric material. Also provided are related methods of constructing such materials.

Abstract: A colored mirror includes a transparent substrate and a reflective layer, including a coloring layer between the substrate and the reflective layer, the coloring layer including a matrix and a colorant. Furthermore, a process for preparing a mirror including a transparent substrate and a reflective layer, a coloring layer between the substrate and the reflective layer, the coloring layer including a matrix and a colorant, includes the production of the coloring layer on the substrate then the deposition of the reflective layer on the coloring layer.

Abstract: A colored mirror includes a transparent substrate and a reflective layer, including a coloring layer between the substrate and the reflective layer, the coloring layer including a matrix and a colorant. Furthermore, a process for preparing a mirror including a transparent substrate and a reflective layer, a coloring layer between the substrate and the reflective layer, the coloring layer including a matrix and a colorant, includes the production of the coloring layer on the substrate then the deposition of the reflective layer on the coloring layer.

Abstract: Provided are construction material granules. In one embodiment, the granules include a core enclosed by a layer comprising a conductive material and a layer comprising a dielectric material. Also provided are related methods of constructing such materials.

Abstract: A roofing product can include roofing granules that can include substrates and a coating covering the substrates of the roofing granules. The substrates can be in the form of base particles, such as ceramic base particles or proppants, or base particles having a coating with an L* of at least approximately 55. In a particular aspect, a coating at an exposed surface of the roofing granule can include a compound that includes a metallic element; and nitrogen, carbon, or a combination of nitrogen and carbon. In another aspect, the coating has a relatively low L*, reasonably high solar reflectance, and good emissivity. The coating can be formed on a substrate using a fluidized bed. In a particular aspect, the coating can be performed as a chemical vapor deposition or a sol-gel process. If needed or desired, the roofing granules can be doped to achieve their desired properties.

Abstract: A roofing product can include roofing granules that can include base particles and a coating covering the base particles of the roofing granules. In a particular aspect, the coating can include a compound that includes a metallic element; and nitrogen, carbon, or a combination of nitrogen and carbon. In another aspect, the coating has a reflectivity of at least approximately 17% for a radiation having wavelengths in a range of 1000 nm to 2500 nm. In a further aspect, the particular coating has a coating reflectivity no greater than 99% of a TiO2 reflectivity for such radiation. A coating can be formed on a base particle of a roofing granule using a fluidized bed. In a particular aspect, coating can be performed as a chemical vapor deposition or a sol-gel process. If needed or desired, the roofing granules can be doped to achieve their desired properties.