Abstract: A textile formulation adapted to impart an odor-controlling property to a textile material. The textile formulation is an odor capturing formulation comprising a carrier and an odor capturing agent. The odor capturing agent is a liquid dispersible boehmite. An odor absorbing article and a method of treating the odor absorbing article is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite particles which are capable of forming an ion exchange membrane with fewer defects and an ion exchange membrane. The composite particles according to the present invention comprise pellets comprising a fluorinated polymer having groups convertible to ion exchange groups, and a powder held on the pellet surface which comprises a polymer, wherein the powder has an average particle diameter of at least 1 ?m and at most 1,000 ?m, and the ratio of the average particle diameter of the pellets to the average particle diameter of the powder is 2 to 4,500.

Abstract: A superconductor device includes a high superconductivity transition temperature enhanced from the raw material transition temperature. The superconductor device includes a matrix material and a core material. The enhancing matrix material and the core material together create a system of strongly coupled carriers. A plurality of low-dimensional conductive features can be embedded in the matrix. The low-dimensional conductive features (e.g., nanowires or nanoparticles) can be conductors or superconductors. An interaction between electrons of the low-dimensional conductive features and the enhancing matrix material can promote excitations that increase a superconductivity transition temperature of the superconductor device.

Abstract: A multilayer thin film that reflects an omnidirectional structural color includes a multilayer stack comprising having: a reflector layer; a first dielectric layer extending over the reflector layer; an absorbing layer extending over the first dielectric layer; and a second dielectric layer extending over the absorbing layer. The multilayer thin film reflects a single narrow band of visible light when exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation, and the single narrow band of visible light has: a visible full width at half maximum (FWHM) width of less than 200 nm; a color shift of the reflected single narrow band of visible light is less than 50 nm when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees relative to a direction normal to an outer surface of the multilayer thin film.

Abstract: An article including at least one first metallic layer, at least one dielectric layer, and at least one second metallic layer is disclosed. The at least one dielectric layer can include at least one of (i) a photo-initiator, (ii) an oxygen inhibition mitigation composition, (iii) a leveling agent, and (iv) a defoamer. The article can be in the form of a foil or pigment flake, and can also include a magnet containing layer.

Abstract: Provided are composite particles having the optical characteristic of a lower transmittance in the visible light region, i.e., a higher light-blocking performance in the visible light region, and a method for producing composite particles. The composite particles have at least one of Al and Ti formed into a composite with ZrN.

Abstract: A silicon granule, in particular, for the preparation of trichlorosilane, having a size of between 10 and 500 microns, and comprising: dopants in a weight fraction of less than 5 ppm; at least one co-catalyst selected from copper, iron, aluminum and calcium, in a weight fraction of between 1 and 2500 ppm; and metallic impurities, with exclusion of the at least one co-catalyst, in a weight fraction of less than 50 ppm.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical film, a structural colored pigment, and a method for preparing an optical film. The optical film includes a multilayer film. The multilayer film includes films with high refractive indexes and films with low refractive indexes alternately arranged in a multilayer manner, and a middle film. Some of the films with the high refractive indexes and some of the films with the low refractive indexes are disposed on a side of the middle film, constituting first other films. Optical thicknesses of films having a same refractive index in the optical films and an optical thickness of the middle film are all different or partially different.

Abstract: A flake including a layer of a diamagnetic material; and at least one additional layer is disclosed. The flake, such as a plurality of flakes, can be dispersed in a liquid medium to form a composition. The composition can be applied to a surface of a substrate to form a security device. A method of making the security device is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to catalysts for electrochemical water splitting, in particular catalysts useful for oxygen evolution at an anode in electrochemical water splitting. The disclosed catalysts compositions comprise a catalyst core component, a shell component, and optionally a catalyst outer component; wherein the catalyst core component comprises a composition having the chemical formula MxPy; where M is a transition metal; wherein x is a number from about 1 to about 20; wherein y is a number from about 1 to about 20; wherein the shell component comprises a conducting polymer; and wherein the catalyst outer component is a transition metal that is not the same as the transition metal M. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an antimicrobial product containing silver-copper particles and its preparation method. The product includes a substrate and positively charged silver particles with a particle size of 15 ?m to 50 ?m, and a positively charged copper particle with a particle size of 10 ?m to 50 ?m, wherein the copper particle size ratio to the silver particle is 0.8 to 1.2. The silver particle, the copper particle and the substrate are combined by means of semi-fused sintering, wherein the ratio of the silver particle to the copper particle is 40:60 to 95:5. The sum of the substrate, the silver particles and the total particles of the copper particles is less than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: A cemented carbide includes a plurality of tungsten carbide particles and a binder phase, wherein the cemented carbide comprises at least one first element selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, cerium, yttrium, and boron, and wherein in a first graph in a coordinate system where an X axis is a distance from a position at which cobalt exhibits a maximum intensity, and a Y axis is a normalized intensity, a maximum peak M of each of the first element is present between a peak W1 of tungsten closest to an origin and a further peak W2 of tungsten closest to the peak W1, a ratio IB/IA of an intensity IB to a maximum peak intensity IA of the maximum peak M is 0.5 or less in each of the first element, and the intensity IB is an intensity of the first element at a distance P2.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a plurality of layers deposited on a substrate and extending in at least one lateral aspect defined by a lateral axis thereof comprises at least one EM radiation-absorbing layer deposited on a first layer surface and comprising a discontinuous layer of at least one particle structure comprising a deposited material. The at least one particle structure of the at least one EM radiation-absorbing layer facilitates absorption of EM radiation therein in at least a part of at least one of a visible spectrum and a UV spectrum while substantially allowing transmission of EM radiation therein in at least a part of at least one of an IR and an NIR spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to opaque colored multilayer articles having a substrate layer based on polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate. The compositions of the substrate layer contain a titanium dioxide having particular properties as white pigment. Compared to the Kronos® 2230 white pigment which is conventionally used as white pigment for corresponding compositions and has more particularly been specially matched to polycarbonate, it is possible to achieve considerably higher weathering stability of the colored shaped bodies provided that a UV absorber-containing coating has been applied to the substrate layer. Color stability and gloss are maintained even after weathering, and brilliant colors can thus be assured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder. The plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder comprises: a reaction chamber including a linear gas inlet at the lower end thereof and a gas outlet at the upper end thereof, and having a vertical cross section that is funnel-shaped; and a plasma jet generation device that is located below the linear gas inlet and is configured to discharge a plasma jet into the reaction chamber from below in an upward direction through the linear gas inlet, wherein powder is accommodated in the reaction chamber and is treated by plasma while buoyed by the plasma jet.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to metallic powders for use in multilayer ceramic capacitors, to multilayer ceramic capacitors containing same and to methods of manufacturing such powders and capacitors. The disclosure addresses the problem of having better controlled smaller particle size distribution, with minimal contaminant contents which can be implemented at an industrial scale.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition that comprises as active compound at least one light isotope of an element selected from the group which consists of 1H, 12C, 16O, 14N, 39K, 24Mg, 64Zn, 85Rb, 28Si, 54Fe, 92Mo, 74Se, 58Ni, 70Ge, 52Cr, 63Cu, 50V, or combinations thereof, wherein the composition is enriched for the at least one light isotope. A method of treating and preventing bacterial diseases in humans and non-human animals by administering the composition. The use of the said composition in human and veterinary medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases in humans and non-human animals and also as an antiseptic and disinfectant.

Abstract: A pigment including a pre-flake; and a coating of nanoparticles present on a surface of the pre-flake, wherein the nanoparticles can be present in the coating in an amount greater than about 40% by volume is disclosed. A method of making a pigment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light control sheet including a first transparent electrode, a second transparent electrode, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, and spacers included in the liquid crystal layer. The spacers have an average size of 3 ?m-50 ?m, and the spacers have a size distribution that has a plurality of discrete peaks.

Abstract: Provided are a chlorosilicate fluorescent material having high light emission efficiency, a method for producing the same, and a light emitting device. In certain embodiments, the chlorosilicate fluorescent material has a chemical composition comprising Ca, Eu, Mg, Si, O, and Cl, wherein when a molar ratio of Si in 1 mol of the chemical composition is set as 4, the chlorosilicate fluorescent material comprises Ca in a molar ratio range of 7.0 or more and 7.94 or less, Eu in a molar ratio range of 0.01 or more and 1.0 or less, Ca and Eu in a total molar ratio range of 7.70 or more and 7.95 or less, Mg in a molar ratio range of 0.9 or more and 1.1 or less, and Cl in a molar ratio range of more than 1.90 and 2.00 or less.

Abstract: Provided is a silicone resin coated silicone elastomer particle which can be easily produced on an industrial scale, has superior dispersibility and oil absorptivity in a curable organic resin such as an epoxy resin, and has superior workability due to low secondary aggregation compared to conventional silicone elastomer particles. Also provided are applications containing the particles such as organic resin additives, organic resins, coating compositions or coating agent compositions, and cosmetic compositions. The silicone resin coated silicone elastomer particles have part or all of their surface coated with a silicone resin made up of two types of siloxane units. The siloxane units are selected from D units represented by R2SiO2/2, T units represented by RSiO3/2, and Q units represented by SiO4/2. The particles also have a structure in which at least two silicon atoms in the particles are cross-linked by a silalkylene group with 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy powder includes a particle body and a surface layer. The particle body comprises a soft magnetic alloy including Fe and Co. The surface layer is located on a surface side of the particle body. The surface layer includes one or more local maximum points of Si concentration and one or more local maximum points of Co concentration. The surface layer satisfies DSi?DCo, in which DSi is a distance from an interface between the particle body and the surface layer to a first Si local maximum point LSimax, and DCo is a distance from the interface to a first Co local maximum point LComax.

Abstract: A method for producing a curved laminated glazing, for a windscreen or roof of a motor vehicle includes providing a first glass sheet, coated on at least one part of one of its faces with a stack of thin layers, depositing, on one part of the surface of the stack of thin layers in a zone to be cleared, a washable dissolving layer, a pre-firing after which the stack of thin layers located under the washable dissolving layer is dissolved by the washable dissolving layer, creating a cleared zone, the removal of the washable dissolving layer by washing, the deposit, at least on one part of the cleared zone, of an opaque mineral layer, the curving of the first glass sheet and of an additional glass sheet, together or separately, and the laminating of the first glass sheet with an additional glass sheet using a lamination interlayer.

Abstract: A modular box assembly includes a box; a first thermal liner constructed of a first length of pre-laminated material, the pre-laminated material comprising an insulation batt in facing contact with a first sheet and with a second sheet, the first thermal liner defining three first liner panels; and a second thermal liner constructed of a second length of the pre-laminated material, the second thermal liner defining three second liner panels. A bottom box panel is covered by one of a first liner panel not covering any side box panel and a second liner panel not covering any side box panel. The insulation batt is formed from a mixture of reinforcement fibers and thermoplastic binder fibers, the reinforcement fibers comprising one of natural fibers, recycled cardboard, and a mixture of recycled cardboard and paper fibers.

Abstract: A mixed solution in which a compound which forms a nonvolatile membrane at a gas-liquid interface through self-aggregation is dispersed in a volatile liquid, is ejected and atomized in a gas or in a vacuum to produce a droplet particle, and a nonvolatile membrane is then formed at the gas-liquid interface by aligning the compound on a surface of the droplet particle having a reduced diameter due to evaporation of the volatile liquid in the gas or in the vacuum to stabilize the droplet particle. The method produces a novel droplet particle which stably exists in a gas or in a vacuum without collapsing or without evaporation of the volatile liquid inside the droplet particle.

Abstract: The present invention firstly relates to a security feature for a security or value document. The security feature comprises a zinc sulfide luminophore in the form of particles. The zinc sulfide luminophore has the general chemical formula ZnS: Cux, My, Xz; here, M represents one or more elements from a group comprising the chemical elements Co, In and Ni; X represents one or more elements from a group comprising the halides F, Cl, Br and I; and the following applies: 0<x<0.002 and 0?y<0.00015 and 0?z<0.00050. The particles each have cubic phase portions and hexagonal phase portions. When excited by an electrical field, the zinc sulfide luminophore emits a first radiation in the range of the light spectrum between 580 nm and 780 nm. When excited by heating the luminophore to a temperature between 100° C. and 150° C., the zinc sulfide luminophore emits a second radiation in the light spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to spherical, nonporous Silicon particles having average particle sizes (d50) of 1 to 10 pm and a silicon content of 97 to 99.8 wt. %, the silicon content relating to the total weight of the silicon particles minus any oxygen content.

Abstract: A display apparatus (1) and a preparation method therefor. The display apparatus (1) is provided with: a base substrate (10); an organic planarizing layer (20) located on the base substrate (10); a transparent insulation heat-conduction protection layer (30) located at a side, away from the base substrate (10), of the organic planarizing layer (20); and a light-emitting element located at a side, away from the base substrate (10), of the transparent insulation-heat conduction-protection layer (30), wherein an orthographic projection, on the base substrate (10), of the light-emitting element at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection, on the base substrate (10), of the transparent insulation heat-conduction protection layer (30).

Abstract: An isopoly-vanadic acid coordination polymer catalyst, method of manufacturing the same, and application thereof are provided. The isopoly-vanadic acid coordination polymer catalyst has a chemical formula of [Co(atrz)(V2O6)]. The atrz is a 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole ligand, and [V2O6] is a binuclear vanadate anion. The isopoly-vanadic acid coordination polymer catalyst shows strong thermal stability, and it is easy to synthesize with high reproducibility. The isopoly-vanadic acid coordination polymer catalyst has a good catalytic activity towards the bulk ring-opening of p-dioxanone. The resulting poly(p-dioxanone) is stable and uniform. The high molecular weight of the resulting poly(p-dioxanone) has great potential in high polymer materials, in particular the field of medical high polymer materials.

Abstract: A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4?-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, compositions are described herein. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a phase change material, a hydrophobic sorption material, and a viscosity modifier. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a foam and a latent heat storage material dispersed in the foam, the latent heat storage material comprising a phase change material and a hydrophobic sorption material.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of a waste-derived CO2-activated clinker, which comprises firing nodules at temperatures between 1000-1100° C. for a time sufficient to obtain CO2-reactive clinker phases within the nodules, cooling the clinker nodules, and reducing to powder to obtain a clinker powder; wherein the nodules are agglomerates of a stoichiometric mix of uniformly-sized powders of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration residues; wherein the stoichiometric mix respects the primary compositional requisite of containing Ca, Al, and Si in their oxide forms within the ranges of 35-45 wt. % CaO, 2-8 wt. % AI2O3, and 12-20 wt. % SiO2; wherein the final stoichiometric mix has a total-sulfur content of 1 to 10 wt. %, total-carbon content of 2 to 20 wt. %, and a total-chlorine content of 2 to 15 wt. %.

Abstract: A photocurable composition includes a blue photoluminescent material, one or more monomers, and a photoinitiator that initiates polymerization of the one or more monomers in response to absorption of the ultraviolet light. The blue photoluminescent material is selected to absorb ultraviolet light with a maximum wavelength in a range of about 300 nm to about 430 nm and to emit blue light. The blue photoluminescent material also has an emission peak in a range of about 420 nm to about 480 nm. The full width at half maximum of the emission peak is less than 100 nm, and the photoluminescence quantum yield is in a range of 5% to 100%.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a ceramic powder with binder includes at least one additional element or compound, the ceramic powder with binder being in particular based on zirconia and/or alumina and/or strontium aluminate, wherein the process includes a step (E3) of depositing at least one additional element or compound on a ceramic powder with binder by a physical vapour deposition (PVD) and/or by a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and/or by an atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Abstract: An inorganic oxide particles which have a minute particle diameter at which no interference fringes occur in a coating film and high transparency can be secured even when applied to a high refractive index substrate, and in which excitation by ultraviolet radiation is almost completely suppressed, a coating composition containing such particles, and an optical member having a cured film formed from the coating composition. Inorganic oxide particles obtained by bonding an organosilicon compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group to the surface of modified metal oxide colloid particles (C) having an average particle diameter of 2 to 100 nm, which include metal oxide colloid particles (A) having an average primary particle diameter of 2 to 60 nm as nuclei and with the nuclei surface coated with a coating composed of inorganic oxide colloid particles (B) having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 4 nm.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for simulating intraplate volcanism. A technical solution is: mixing 47-60 wt % of calcium oxide powder, 35 wt % of alumina powder and 5-18 wt % of silica powder uniformly to obtain a mixed powder; putting the mixed powder in a corundum crucible, placing the crucible in a high-temperature furnace provided with an observation window outside which an industrial camera with a depression angle of 30-45° is provided, heating to 1,500-1,900° C. at a rate of 1-30° C./min under an air atmosphere at a normal pressure, holding for 0.5-5 h; recording intraplate volcanism formed by upwelling of a melt of the mixed powder along an inner wall of the crucible during the holding with the industrial camera to obtain a simulated process of the intraplate volcanism.

Abstract: The present application relates to a composite material with a core-shell structure for battery, wherein the core is made of a core material including metallic copper or a copper-containing compound; the shell is made of a shell material including at least one of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide; and the core material has an average particle size D50 of 0.01 ?m-5 ?m, optionally 0.1 ?m-3 ?m, and more optionally 0.1 ?m-2 ?m. The present application also relates to secondary battery containing the composite material, a battery module, a battery pack, and an apparatus.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a ceramic component, in particular component containing zirconia and/or alumina, for a timepiece or a jewelry piece, is characterised in that it includes a step (E3) of depositing at least one additional element or compound on a ceramic powder, optionally bound, by atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Abstract: A nonwoven composite for high temperature applications requiring Sow flammability, smoke, and/or toxicity, including a fibrous structure having one or more nonwoven material layers including a scrim layer. The scrim is formed from inorganic fibers, at least some of which are adapted to withstand temperatures of up to about 1150° C. The scrim is formed from a wet-laying process. The composite further comprises one or more fiber matrix layers.

Abstract: The invention relates synthetic silicate granules comprising a mixture of SiO2, Al2O3 and Na2O, which can be obtained by sintering; to their use in manufacturing an agglomerate stone material and to the agglomerate stone material resulting thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a process for preparing silica-coated calcium carbonate particles, involving the steps of preparing an aqueous carbonate slurry containing calcium carbonate particles, adding at least one silicate composition to the aqueous carbonate slurry to obtain a carbonate-silicate slurry, lowering a pH of the carbonate-silicate slurry by adding at least one acidic compound to obtain a pH-adjusted slurry containing the silica-coated calcium carbonate particles, and isolating the silica-coated calcium carbonate particles—in which at the adding of the acidic compound is controlled such that a final pH of the pH-adjusted slurry ranges from about 7 to about 10, and the silica-coated calcium carbonate particles include a porous coating having an average pore diameter ranging from 2 nm to 50 nm. This disclosure also describes articles and compositions containing the silica-coated calcium carbonate particles, as well as hollow silica spheres formed from the silica-coated calcium carbonate particles.

Abstract: Nano-structured anodic aluminum oxide ceramic films and membranes doped with chelated metals for fluorescence enhancement. Controlled doping during production steps results in the inclusion of traces of ions in the finished materials while maintaining high control over the film structure. This approach yields products suitable for optical applications, including fluorescence enhancement.

Abstract: A document, product, or package, such as a banknote, passport or the like comprises structures having dichroic effects that change color with viewing angle in both transmission and reflection. Such structures can be useful as security features that counter the ability to effectively use counterfeit documents, products, packages, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are soil amendments, generally in the form of coated perlite compositions, as well as methods of making and using the same. The disclosed compositions, methods, and systems provide for various beneficial enhancements to plants growth and soil health, and may decrease costs, for example by avoiding the need for multiple treatments. The presently disclosed compositions, methods, and systems also aid in prolonging release of plant nutrition into the soil (including silica), enhancing aeration, water retention, and drainage, resisting soil compaction, providing for pest and insect control, etc. In many embodiments, the disclosed coated perlite composition is a sterile composition, that is lightweight, and has a low dust content, which may provide for efficient and low-cost handling and transport of products comprising same.

Abstract: A textile formulation adapted to impart an odor-controlling property to a textile material. The textile formulation is an odor capturing formulation comprising a carrier and an odor capturing agent. The odor capturing agent is a liquid dispersible boehmite. An odor absorbing article and a method of treating the odor absorbing article is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laminate for radiational cooling including a substrate layer containing a matrix of an infrared light-radiating polymer containing polycarbonate-based polyurethane and particles of a visible light-reflecting inorganic material, and an ultraviolet light-reflecting coating layer formed on the substrate layer and containing an expanded fluorine-based polymer, wherein the ultraviolet light-reflecting coating layer is porous.

Abstract: A surface-reinforced bitumen roofing membrane includes at least two layers, namely 1) a bitumen compound layer, and 2) a fiber mat, and can optionally include a) an optional bleed blocker layer that is located between the bitumen compound layer and the fiber mat, b) an optional liquid applied coating that partially or fully encapsulates the fiber mat, c) an optional release liner that is releasably positioned on the bottom surface of the bitumen roofing membrane, and/or d) an optional release film that is releasably positioned on the fiber mat surface.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer for profile control and water shutoff is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 8-10 parts of a component A, 1-3 parts of a strong acid, 1-3 parts of a hydrophobic modifier and 100-105 parts of water. The component A is one of polyethylene glycol, polyvinylether, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymer of acrylamide and acrylonitrile. The strong acid is one of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. The hydrophobic modifier is any one of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, ?-propiolactone, ?-butyrolactone, ?-valerolactone, methyltriacetylsilane, methyltrimethylsilane, butyl acrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The thermoplastic elastomer for profile control and water shutoff provided by the disclosure has the advantages of one-step preparation and molding, strong deformation capability, temperature resistance, salt tolerance, strong stability and the like, and is suitable for large-scale production and application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mRNA analysis and quantification of mRNA expression in cells are provided. An example method includes introducing a first capture probe and a second capture probe into the cells, the first capture probe and the second capture probe each configured to be complementary to a respective section of target mRNA within the cells, wherein binding of the first and second capture probes to the respective sections of the target mRNA results in tagging of the cells and causes the first and second capture probes to form clusters with each other. The first capture probe and the second capture probe are each bound to magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that, when trapped within the tagged cells, cause the tagged cells to be susceptible to magnetic forces. The method and system further include introducing the cells into a device configured to magnetically capture tagged cells.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.