Abstract: A method of forming an asphalt mixture includes mixing a polyol with a bio-source material to form a bio-asphalt. The method can further include mixing the bio-asphalt with a bitumen source different from the bio-asphalt to form an asphalt mixture. The bio-source material can include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat, or any combination thereof. The bitumen source can include a petroleum-based asphalt. The method can further include adding a modifier, such as a fatty acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylate comprising a copolymer, or any combination thereof. Moreover, a roofing grade asphalt mixture includes a bio-asphalt. The bio-asphalt includes an alkyd, wherein the alkyd is a reaction product of a polyol and a bio-source material. The roofing grade asphalt mixture further includes a bitumen source material and particles.

Abstract: A method of forming an asphalt mixture can include mixing a bio-source material and a bitumen source to form a bitumen mixture. The bitumen mixture can be mixed with a catalyst to form the asphalt mixture. Particles can be added to the asphalt mixture to form a roofing-grade asphalt mixture. In an embodiment, the bitumen source material can have a softening point of at least approximately 93° C. and a penetration distance no greater than approximately 25 dmm. In another embodiment, the roofing-grade asphalt mixture can have a softening point of at least approximately 104° C., a penetration distance no greater than approximately 12 dmm, a viscosity of at least approximately 3000 cps at a temperature of 204° C., or any combination thereof. The asphalt mixture can be applied to a base material to form a roofing product. The asphalt mixture can be applied as a pavement product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhancing oil recovery method by injecting into a subterranean oil formation an aqueous flooding fluid comprising at least one injecting galactomannan polymer substituted by at least one sulfonation agent. The invention also relates to an flooding fluid having better injectivity properties than existing flooding fluids.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials, comprising an inorganic portion (e.g., inorganic particles such as silica particles) that are coated/covered with one or more polymers compounds (i.e., the organic portion), and methods for synthesizing such hybrid nanomaterials are disclosed. Also disclosed are hybrid nanomaterials that comprise an inorganic portion (e.g., inorganic particles such as silica particles) that have one or more polymers or polymer portions (i.e., the organic portion) grafted and/or attached thereto, and methods for synthesizing such hybrid nanomaterials.