Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The composition may include an inorganic particulate material treated with at least one surface treatment. The surface treatment may include at least one of a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. Also disclosed is a composition that may include coal dust and mine rock dust including a inorganic particulate material treated with at least one a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. The mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. A composition may include a mine rock dust that may pass 20-L explosibility test or may pass ASTM E1515 explosibility test. A composition may include a mine rock dust that may have a dispersion greater than or equal to about 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A bus stop illuminating assembly used in public transportation system comprising a solar-powered head assembly for illuminating around said bus stop for security at night and signaling to a bus driver that passengers are waiting; an edge-lit bus schedule assembly to give transportation information to passengers; a post to secure said head assembly and said bus schedule assembly thereon, wherein necessary functions of said head assembly or said schedule assembly are selectively activated by said passengers, by means of a button assembly.

Abstract: A rugged, long lasting, transparent housing of a domed shape protects an embedded solar panel. More particularly, the solar panel is embedded in a polymer in a utilized, potted construction. The use of polyurethane as the polymer produces a durable product which is transparent and resistant to both thermal and mechanical stresses. The domed top over the solar panel improves the solar panel's ability to capture light and thus to operate in locations where the incidence of light is at a low angle as is found in northern latitudes.