Abstract: An expandable porous framework, the framework containing a dry cementitious powder fill that when exposed to an aqueous media, will expand against the constraint of the framework and set to form a solid, hard and coherent material, the formwork being porous to liquids but substantially impermeable to the powder fill.

Abstract: An improved, composite textile that can become rigid or semi-rigid by e.g., applying a liquid is provided. The composite can include a high loft non-woven layer having a first face and a second face and a midpoint between the first face and the second face. The high loft non-woven layer includes bulking fibers crossing the midpoint plane that form a tangential line at the midpoint plane that is at non-zero angle as set forth herein.

Abstract: An improved, composite textile that can become rigid or semi-rigid by e.g., applying a liquid is provided. The composite can include a high loft non-woven layer having bulking fibers and a binding material; a cured rigid or semi-rigid solid located in the high loft non-woven; a filter layer on a first face of the high loft non-woven layer; and a liquid barrier layer on a second face of the high loft non-woven layer. The liquid barrier layer may have a difference in in-plane stiffness as set forth herein. The distance between the first face and second face of the high loft non-woven layer may not vary by more than a certain localized distance across the high loft non-woven layer when the high loft non-woven layer is in a flat state or has a radius of curvature of not less than the thickness of the non-woven layer as set forth herein.

Abstract: A flexible textile or cloth is provided that can be hardened to a rigid or semi-rigid condition. The textile can incorporate reinforcement fibers to provide improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement fibers can be added in a various configurations without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the textile. Further, the textile can include at least one flap to facilitate readily joining the textile with another component such as another textile to create a composite construction.

Abstract: A flexible textile or cloth is provided that can be hardened to a rigid or semi-rigid condition. The textile can incorporate reinforcement fibers to provide improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement fibers can be added in a various configurations without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the textile. Further, the textile can include at least one flap to facilitate readily joining the textile with another component such as another textile to create a composite construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recirculating shower system comprising a shower head 22, a circuit configured to recirculate at least part of the used water to the shower head, a heater 18 included in the circuit for heating the recycled water to a temperature at which micro organisms in the water are killed and a heat exchanger 16 arranged to exchange heat between the water flowing towards and away from the heater. The system provides an efficient use of water and energy and also allows a high flow rate of water at a relatively low use of energy and water.

Abstract: The invention provides a knitted spacer fabric having a tightly knitted bottom layer, a more loosely knitted upper layer and pile yarns extending across the space between the lower and upper faces. Settable material, is introduced into the space between the upper and lower faces and can be caused to set by the addition of a liquid. Until set, the fabric is flexible and can be shaped but after the material in space has set, the fabric is rigid and can be used as a structural element in a wide range of situations.

Abstract: The invention provides a knitted spacer fabric having a tightly knitted bottom layer, a more loosely knitted upper layer and pile yarns extending across the space between the lower and upper faces. Settable material, e.g. cement, is introduced into the space between the upper and lower faces and can be caused to set by the addition of a liquid, e.g. water. Until set, the fabric is flexible and can be shaped but after the material in space has set, the fabric is rigid and can be used as a structural element in a wide range of situations, e.g. to form a cover of a prefabricated shelter, a track-way for vehicles, pedestrians or animals; a shelter by applying the fabric to a framework; formwork for casting concrete; barriers, e.g. to line tunnels; to repair structures, e.g. roofs; to form floors or damp proof structures; to reinforce earth structures, e.g. river banks; to provide flood defences; or to repair existing pipes, including buried water pipes or to construct new pipes.

Abstract: A prefabricated shell for forming a shelter (14) has a groundsheet (30) and a cover (32) having a gas impermeable inner layer (24) and at least one outer layer. The outer layers are each formed by a layer of cloth that has been impregnated with a water-settable material, e.g. cement. The shell is steeped in water to wet the cement and then the cover is pneumatically inflated to form a space between the cover and the groundsheet. The shelter is then left until the cement has set and is able to support the cover. The shelter can easily be constructed to provide a durable shelter, especially in emergency areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recirculating shower system comprising a shower head 22, a circuit configured to recirculate at least part of the used water to the shower head, a heater 18 included in the circuit for heating the recycled water to a temperature at which micro organisms in the water are killed and a heat exchanger 16 arranged to exchange heat between the water flowing towards and away from the heater. The system provides an efficient use of water and energy and also allows a high flow rate of water at a relatively low use of energy and water.

Abstract: A prefabricated shell for forming a shelter (14) has a groundsheet (30) and a cover (32) having a gas impermeable inner layer (24) and at least one outer layer. The outer layers are each formed by a layer of cloth that has been impregnated with a water-settable material, e.g. cement. The shell is steeped in water to wet the cement and then the cover is pneumatically inflated to form a space between the cover and the groundsheet. The shelter is then left until the cement has set and is able to support the cover. The shelter can easily be constructed to provide a durable shelter, especially in emergency areas.