Abstract: A roofing granule can include a material including a transition metal carbonate; a mixed metal carbonate, wherein at least one metal within the mixed metal carbonate includes a transition metal; a first metal carbonate and a second metal compound, wherein the first and second metals are different metal elements; a third metal carbonate and silica; or any combination thereof. A process of forming a roofing granule can include providing a base particle having pores, and infiltrating a fluid into the pores of the base particle, wherein the fluid includes a carbonate. The process can further include reacting the carbonate with a metal compound within the base particle to form a metal carbonate, wherein the roofing granule comprises a material that includes the metal carbonate.

Abstract: Coating compositions for the preparation of superhydrophobic (SH) and/or oleophobic (OP) surfaces that employ low amounts of volatile organic compounds are described. Also described are the resulting coatings/coated surfaces and methods of their preparation. Such coatings/surfaces have a variety of uses, including their ability to prevent or resist water, dirt and/or ice from attaching to a surface.

Abstract: Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes.

Abstract: The disclosed principles provide a roofing product and related methods of manufacturing having antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial properties are provided by an antimicrobial delivery system including antimicrobial materials compounded, e.g., mixed together and melted, with polymeric materials. The antimicrobial delivery system is applied to roof covering material during the production process. The roof covering material may be sheets, shingles, panels, or roll stock.

Abstract: A coating composition for granular roofing has a liquid phase, such as a water, vinyl copolymer or a modified acrylic, and a material with high reflectance, such as CaCO3, TiO2, ceramic microspheres, nano-particles, talc dispersed therein to yield a low-viscosity coating. The coating is applied to a granular surface in a thin layer that does not significantly disturb the granular aesthetics, but covers the base material, e.g., modified bitumen, at least partially, to increase the overall reflectivity of the material. In some embodiments, the coating improves the physical integrity of the granular surface and increases resistance to environmental effects and may perform a pigment function. In one embodiment, the coating is applied as a powder followed by the application of a liquid. In another embodiment, the coating includes a water repellant.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a sunlight-scattering thin-film coating disposed on a substrate for greenhouse applications. The surface morphology of the coating promotes a better and more uniform light distribution. For instance, at least one thin-film layer disposed on a substrate may be textured so as to create surface features on the order of 0.1-5 microns, with the surface features being sized to cause (a) light having a wavelength of greater than or equal to about 800 nm incident thereon to primarily scatter to angles less than 30 degrees relative to a major surface of the substrate and (b) light having a wavelength of less than or equal to about 700 nm incident thereon to primarily scatter to angles greater than 20 degrees relative to the major surface of the substrate. This arrangement may advantageously direct beneficial light towards plant life while directing parasitic light away from the plant life.

Abstract: A roofing shingle may include a substrate, granules and multilayer infrared light reflecting film particles. In some cases, a roofing shingle may include a substrate, granules and a multilayer infrared light reflecting film disposed either above or below the granules. Such roofing shingles may exhibit improved solar reflectivity. An infrared light reflecting mixture may include inorganic granules and polymeric multilayer infrared light reflecting film particles. An existing construction surface may be treated to improve its solar reflectivity.

Abstract: Protective membrane, in particular a waterproofing or noise insulation membrane, based on mineral or vegetable bitumen, comprising a membrane body, and a first and second surface situated on either side of said membrane body, where the first surface comprises cork particles, characterised in that said particles have a granulometry of between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, and have been heat treated with steam.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a body having an abrasive portion. The abrasive portion includes a bond material and abrasive particles located within the bond material. The body also comprises a coating coupled to and overlying at least a portion of an exterior surface of the abrasive portion. The coating has a water vapor transmission rate of not greater than about 2 g/m2-day.

Abstract: Provided is a prepreg suffering little resin particle fall-off and little resin peeling during prepreg production and during handling in order to have excellent dielectric properties for PPE and favorable adhesiveness. A PPE-containing prepreg constituted of a base material and a curable resin composition including PPE particles, wherein the prepreg is characterized in that (1) PPE extracted from the prepreg using a mixed solvent of toluene and methanol in a mass ratio of 95:5 includes PPE particles (A) insoluble in the mixed solvent, (2) the amount of PPE contained in the PPE particles (A) is 70 mass % or higher, and (3) the number-average molecular weight of the PPE contained in the PPE particles (A) is 8,000-40,000.

Abstract: A laminated asphalt shingle including a base layer, a first decorative layer, and a second decorative layer is provided. The first decorative layer may be affixed to the base layer and to the second decorative layer by a flexible adhesive that permits the first decorative layer to move relative to both the base layer and the second decorative layer without de-bonding. The relative movement of the shingle layers permits the shingle to be folded over the ridge line of a roof without de-bonding or breaking the layers. Additionally, the relative movement of the layers when the shingle is installed over a ridge creates opposing transverse edges in which each layer is offset from the other layers as a result of the shingle bending about a different radius of curvature, thereby providing a dimensional appearance along the transverse edges.

Abstract: An ACF comprising a substrate, a layer of an adhesive on the surface of the substrate, the adhesive optionally having conductive particles dispersed therein, at least one tier of conductive particles arranged in a non-random array, the tier being formed by transfer of conductive particles from a carrier belt having a stitching line to the surface of the adhesive layer wherein the portion of the tier corresponding to the stitching line is free of conductive particles, and the adhesive layer being overcoated with a second tier of conductive particles arranged in a non-random array at least in the area of the first tier corresponding to the stitching line. The tiers may be at the same or different depths within the adhesive layer. More than two tiers of conductive particles may be present in the ACF.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing components derived from the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass are provided. The components derived from the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass are useful in increasing the bond strength retention of such coating compositions to the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: An element molded from a particle foam, including for example expanded polypropylene foam, includes at least one visible exterior surface defined by the particle foam. The visible exterior surface is textured having a roughness depth of less than or equal to 1.00 mm and a plurality of vent interfaces each having a maximum width of less than or equal to 0.4 mm. Methods of molding the element, together with a mold and a method of making the mold, are also provided.

Abstract: An elastomer laminate has an elastomer carrier layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one microtextured cover layer composed of a polymer that has a lower elasticity than the material of the carrier layer. The microtexture is produced by stretching the laminate beyond the elasticity limit of the cover layer and elastic recovery of the stretched laminate. The microtextured cover layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: A work platform has a top member with a surface sized to receive a user's feet thereon while standing and a bottom member coupled to the top member. The bottom member has a width and length generally equal to the width and length of the top member. The bottom member has a curved surface generally at the longitudinal center of the work platform defined at least partially by a radius of curvature of between about 100 mm and about 850 mm. The curved surface induces instability under a user standing on the top member to thereby facilitate active muscle engagement in the user's legs while standing on the work platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate for an organic electronic element that enables surface resistance to be reduced and light-extraction efficiency improved, the substrate including: a base substrate; a scattering layer which is formed on the base substrate and includes an conductive pattern for reducing the surface resistance of an electrode, scattering particles for scattering light and a binder, and which forms an uneven structure in the surface opposite the base substrate; and a planarizing layer which is formed on the scattering layer and flattens the surface undulations caused by the uneven structure of the scattering layer, wherein the refractive index (Na) of the scattering particles and the refractive index (Nb) of the planarizing layer satisfy the relationship in formula 1 below. [Formula 1] |Na—Nb|?0.3. In the formula as used herein, Na signifies the refractive index of the scattering particles and Nb signifies the refractive index of the planarizing layer.

Abstract: A floor covering having a web- or plate-shaped base material made from an elastomer material, wherein the base material is provided with mineral decorative particles, and wherein the density of the mineral decorative particles is not greater than 3 kg/dm3.

Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a first group including a plurality of shaped abrasive particles overlying a backing, wherein the plurality of shaped abrasive particles of the first group define a first non-shadowing distribution relative to each other.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube micro-tip structure includes an insulating substrate and a patterned carbon nanotube film structure. The insulating substrate includes a surface. The surface includes an edge. The patterned carbon nanotube film structure is partially arranged on the surface of the insulating substrate. The patterned carbon nanotube film structure includes two strip-shaped arms joined at one end to form a tip portion protruded from the edge of the surface of the insulating substrate and suspended. Each of the two strip-shaped arms includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes parallel to the surface of the insulating substrate.