Abstract: The present innovation relates to novel and versatile nanomembrane to be used in filtration system and manufacturing method to produce it. The filter membrane may result in significant reduction in energy demand and higher capture efficiency. The filter membrane may have one or multiple nanomembrane part of overall filtration system. The manufacturing uses a combined electric and air flow field to produce the nanomembrane, which may be included as in-line module in standard filter manufacturing process. The method of nanomembrane production is optimized by machine learning-based optimization protocol based on physics-based modeling via feedback control.

Abstract: A dynamic acoustic system for use in connection with an indoor environment includes a plurality of elongated acoustic bars and a controller operably to each of the elongated acoustic bars. Each of the bars is operably coupled to a ceiling member of the indoor environment and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower portions, an interior region at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces, and at least one movable element movable between first and second positions. The controller selectively controls operation of the at least one movable element of a desired number of the plurality of elongated acoustic bars to alter an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment.

Abstract: A composite structure for a building that includes at least one structural panel and at least one metal corrugated panel, where the at least one structural panel is secured to said at least one metal corrugated panel.

Abstract: A dynamic acoustic system for use in connection with an indoor environment includes a plurality of elongated acoustic bars and a controller operably to each of the elongated acoustic bars. Each of the bars is operably coupled to a ceiling member of the indoor environment and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower portions, an interior region at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces, and at least one movable element movable between first and second positions. The controller selectively controls operation of the at least one movable element of a desired number of the plurality of elongated acoustic bars to alter an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are cementitious product, as well as cementitious slurry, and method of forming the product. To reduce density in the cementitious product, foam is included in the slurry and in the method of forming the product. The slurry includes cementitious particles, water, and air bubbles such as from compressed air. Instead of using detergent chemistry at the gas/water interface of bubbles, the present invention uses a surface modifying agent for the cementitious particles in the slurry. The modified particles act to produce stable foam in the slurry. As an example mode of introduction, the surface modifier can be added (e.g., as solid or solution) directly into a bulk cementitious slurry that forms the product. As another example, the surface modifier can be added in a separate solution with water, air bubbles, and cementitious particles that serve as additive to the main cementitious slurry, where the separate solution is then added to the main cementitious slurry.

Abstract: Disclosed are cementitious product, as well as cementitious slurry, and method of forming the product. To reduce density in the cementitious product, foam is included in the slurry and in the method of forming the product. The slurry includes cementitious particles, water, and air bubbles such as from compressed air. Instead of using detergent chemistry at the gas/water interface of bubbles, the present invention uses a surface modifying agent for the cementitious particles in the slurry. The modified particles act to produce stable foam in the slurry. As an example mode of introduction, the surface modifier can be added (e.g., as solid or solution) directly into a bulk cementitious slurry that forms the product. As another example, the surface modifier can be added in a separate solution with water, air bubbles, and cementitious particles that serve as additive to the main cementitious slurry, where the separate solution is then added to the main cementitious slurry.

Abstract: A cementitious armor panel assembly including cementitious armor panel with ballistic and blast resistant properties attached to a frame structure to produce a protective structure. The cementitious armor panels have a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of an inorganic cement binder, an inorganic mineral filler having a particle size of about 150-450 microns, a pozzolanic mineral filler, a polycarboxylate based superplasticizer self-leveling agent, and water. The mixture may also contain alkanolamine, and acid or acid salt. Prior to curing, the continuous phase is reinforced with fiber uniformly distributed in the continuous phase before it is cured to form the panel. The panel may be reinforced with a skin attached to at least one surface of the panel.

Abstract: A self-leveling cementitious mixture with excellent flow properties and which hardens with a controlled rate of strength development to an ultra-high compressive strength composite composition for use in making articles such as cementitious armor panel with ballistic and blast resistant properties including: a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture, in the absence of silica flour, of inorganic cement binder, inorganic mineral filler having a particle size of about 150-450 microns, pozzolanic mineral filler, polycarboxylate based self-leveling agent and water. The cementitious mixture may include alkanolamine, such as triethanolamine, and acid or acid salt, such as tartaric acid. The cementitious composition may be reinforced with reinforcing fibers, e.g. glass fibers, in an amount of about 0.5-6.0% by volume of the overall cementitious composition. The fibers are uniformly dispersed in the cementitious composition before it is cured to form a final cementitious armor panel.

Abstract: A cementitious armor panel assembly including cementitious armor panel with ballistic and blast resistant properties attached to a frame structure to produce a protective structure. The cementitious armor panels have a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of an inorganic cement binder, an inorganic mineral filler having a particle size of about 150-450 microns, a pozzolanic mineral filler, a polycarboxylate based superplasticizer self-leveling agent, and water. The mixture may also contain alkanolamine, and acid or acid salt. Prior to curing, the continuous phase is reinforced with fiber uniformly distributed in the continuous phase before it is cured to form the panel. The panel may be reinforced with a skin attached to at least one surface of the panel.

Abstract: A process for making calcined gypsum in slurry or powder form. The process includes adding at least two types of crystal modifiers to the slurry. The first crystal modifier is to control crystal morphology of the calcined gypsum (such as succinic and/or malic acid). The second crystal modifier is to prevent or retard setting to control set time (such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP)) to form a water stable product. An accelerator is typically added at the site of use for specific applications such as setting type joint compound, media casting, exterior/interior coating, and sprayable fireproofing. A composition made by the process and a kit for using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-leveling cementitious mixture with excellent flow properties and which hardens with a controlled rate of strength development to an ultra-high compressive strength composite composition for use in making articles such as cementitious armor panel with ballistic and blast resistant properties including: a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture, in the absence of silica flour, of inorganic cement binder, inorganic mineral filler having a particle size of about 150-450 microns, pozzolanic mineral filler, polycarboxylate based self-leveling agent and water. The cementitious mixture may include alkanolamine, such as triethanolamine, and acid or acid salt, such as tartaric acid. The cementitious composition may be reinforced with reinforcing fibers, e.g. glass fibers, in an amount of about 0.5-6.0% by volume of the overall cementitious composition. The fibers are uniformly dispersed in the cementitious composition before it is cured to form a final cementitious armor panel.

Abstract: A process for making calcined gypsum in slurry or powder form. The process includes adding at least two types of crystal modifiers to the slurry. The first crystal modifier is to control crystal morphology of the calcined gypsum (such as succinic and/or malic acid). The second crystal modifier is to prevent or retard setting to control set time (such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP)) to form a water stable product. An accelerator is typically added at the site of use for specific applications such as setting type joint compound, media casting, exterior/interior coating, and sprayable fireproofing. A composition made by the process and a kit for using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ready-mixed composition, which sets when mixed with an activator for the reaction of calcined gypsum with water to form set gypsum, is disclosed. The composition comprises water and calcined gypsum in a weight ratio of water to calcined gypsum of from about 0.15 to about 0.5, as well as a set preventer comprising a polyacrylic acid and/or a salt thereof. The composition has a viscosity of from about 5,000 centipoise to about 48,000 centipoise. Also disclosed is a kit that comprises separately packaged components. One of the components is a composition comprising calcined gypsum and a polyacrylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and, optionally, water. Another component of the kit comprises an activator which, when mixed with the composition, permits the composition to set.

Abstract: A ready-mixed composition, which sets when mixed with an activator for the reaction of calcined gypsum with water to form set gypsum, is disclosed. The composition comprises water and calcined gypsum in a weight ratio of water to calcined gypsum of from about 0.15 to about 0.5, as well as a set preventer comprising a polyacrylic acid and/or a salt thereof. The composition has a viscosity of from about 5,000 centipoise to about 48,000 centipoise. Also disclosed is a kit that comprises separately packaged components. One of the components is a composition comprising calcined gypsum and a polyacrylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and, optionally, water. Another component of the kit comprises an activator which, when mixed with the composition, permits the composition to set.