Abstract: Materials and methods for a rapid and effective way to create a carbon negative self-healing construction material are described. The construction material uses sand aggregates, a trace amount of catalyst, a small dosage of scaffolding material with a crosslinking agent, and a calcium source. The curing is performed at a high temperature for a short period or at room temperature for a long period. The catalyst-driven method to bridge the sand particles results in a dense, stiff, strong, and tough structural material, which upon exposure to calcium source and CO2 heals itself repeatably.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for concrete repair using a non-naturally occurring or a synthetic catalyst. The catalyst includes an aromatic hydrocarbon having an active zinc ion configured to facilitate interaction between carbon dioxide and water and to precipitate concrete repairing calcium carbonate crystals. The catalyst is an analog of zinc cyclen, zinc and an indole-based molecule, and zinc tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA).

Abstract: A non-destructive method for determining the degree of cure of a polymer, e.g., a polymer film, is based upon measuring the degree of free space rotation of a fluorophore added to the polymer system through fluorescent measurements of the fluorophore. The results can be used to control, on-line, the polymerization of the polymer.