Abstract: An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: A method of designing a nanoparticle tailored to support hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation, a method for using nanoparticles to extract hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, and a nanoparticle structure. The method may include determining environmental conditions of a subterranean formation, defining nanoparticle parameters based on the environmental conditions, and forming a nanoparticle comprising the nanoparticle parameters. The method may include producing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles by mixing nanoparticles with water and injecting the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles into a subterranean formation. A nanoparticle structure may include a hydrophilic material in a defined three-dimensional shape having a maximum diameter. The nanoparticle may penetrate through an oil-water interface with an optimized contact angle, minimize an interfacial area between oil and water, and create an oil in water emulsion.

Abstract: An injection-molded solder (IMS) tool assembly apparatus, the apparatus including an IMS tool for dispensing a molten material via a round extrusion part to coat an inside or an outside wall of a pipe (and a chiller for providing cooling water to flow through an inside of the pipe.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hydrocarbon recovery, and more particularly, a method of designing a nanoparticle tailored to support hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation, a method for using nanoparticles to extract hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, and a nanoparticle structure. Embodiments may include determining environmental conditions of a subterranean formation, defining nanoparticle parameters based on the environmental conditions, and forming a nanoparticle comprising the nanoparticle parameters. Embodiments may include producing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles by mixing nanoparticles with water and injecting the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles into a subterranean formation. A nanoparticle structure may include a hydrophilic material in a defined three-dimensional shape having a maximum diameter.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: A method of designing a nanoparticle tailored to support hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation, a method for using nanoparticles to extract hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, and a nanoparticle structure. The method may include determining environmental conditions of a subterranean formation, defining nanoparticle parameters based on the environmental conditions, and forming a nanoparticle comprising the nanoparticle parameters. The method may include producing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles by mixing nanoparticles with water and injecting the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles into a subterranean formation. A nanoparticle structure may include a hydrophilic material in a defined three-dimensional shape having a maximum diameter. The nanoparticle may penetrate through an oil-water interface with an optimized contact angle, minimize an interfacial area between oil and water, and create an oil in water emulsion.

Abstract: An injection-molded solder (IMS) tool assembly apparatus, the apparatus including an IMS tool for dispensing a molten material via a round extrusion part to coat an inside or an outside wall of a pipe (and a chiller for providing cooling water to flow through an inside of the pipe.

Abstract: Conventional computational simulation and inversion of subsurface flow is expensive, which is wasteful in terms of time and energy consumption. The present invention discloses a process for implementation of mathematical techniques such as forward simulation, sensitivity analysis, and inversion to physical microstructure models for subsurface fluid simulation. This process not only offers accurate and reliable results, but also is cost effective.

Abstract: A device for trapping at least one microparticle in a fluid flow is suggested. The device comprises a trapping element and an electrode. The trapping element is configured for trapping the at least one microparticle and has at least one recess for receiving the at least one microparticle. The electrode is configured for generating an asymmetric electric field. In operation, at least one microparticle of a plurality of microparticles passing through the asymmetric electric field is forced into the at least one recess of the trapping element.

Abstract: A microchannel for processing microparticles in a fluid flow comprises a first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric first electric field and for sorting the microparticles to provide sorted microparticles. The second pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric second electric field and for trapping at least some of the sorted microparticles.

Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a lab-on-a-chip, a method of manufacturing the lab-on-a-chip and a method of using the lab-on-a-chip for fluid flow analysis in physical systems through combination with computer modeling. The lab-on-a-chip includes cavities in a channel layer and a capping layer, preferably transparent, covering the cavities. Gates control two dimensional (2D) lattice structures acting as heaters, light sources and/or sensors in the cavities, or fluid channels. The gates and two dimensional (2D) lattice structures may be at the cavity bottoms or on the capping layer. Wiring connects the gates and the 2D lattice structures externally.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hydrocarbon recovery, and more particularly, a method of designing a nanoparticle tailored to support hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation, a method for using nanoparticles to extract hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, and a nanoparticle structure. Embodiments may including determining environmental conditions of a subterranean formation, defining nanoparticle parameters based on the environmental conditions, and forming a nanoparticle comprising the nanoparticle parameters. Embodiments may include producing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles by mixing nanoparticles with water and injecting the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles into a subterranean formation. A nanoparticle structure may include a hydrophilic material in a defined three-dimensional shape having a maximum diameter.

Abstract: A device for trapping at least one microparticle in a fluid flow is suggested. The device comprises a trapping element and an electrode. The trapping element is configured for trapping the at least one microparticle and has at least one recess for receiving the at least one microparticle. The electrode is configured for generating an asymmetric electric field. In operation, at least one microparticle of a plurality of microparticles passing through the asymmetric electric field is forced into the at least one recess of the trapping element.

Abstract: A microchannel for processing microparticles in a fluid flow comprises a first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric first electric field and for sorting the microparticles to provide sorted microparticles. The second pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric second electric field and for trapping at least some of the sorted microparticles.

Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a lab-on-a-chip, a method of manufacturing the lab-on-a-chip and a method of using the lab-on-a-chip for fluid flow analysis in physical systems through combination with computer modeling. The lab-on-a-chip includes cavities in a channel layer and a capping layer, preferably transparent, covering the cavities. Gates control two dimensional (2D) lattice structures acting as heaters, light sources and/or sensors in the cavities, or fluid channels. The gates and two dimensional (2D) lattice structures may be at the cavity bottoms or on the capping layer. Wiring connects the gates and the 2D lattice structures externally.

Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a lab-on-a-chip, a method of manufacturing the lab-on-a-chip and a method of using the lab-on-a-chip for fluid flow analysis in physical systems through combination with computer modeling. The lab-on-a-chip includes cavities in a channel layer and a capping layer, preferably transparent, covering the cavities. Gates control two dimensional (2D) lattice structures acting as heaters, light sources and/or sensors in the cavities, or fluid channels. The gates and two dimensional (2D) lattice structures may be at the cavity bottoms or on the capping layer. Wiring connects the gates and the 2D lattice structures externally.

Abstract: Conventional computational simulation and inversion of subsurface flow is expensive, which is wasteful in terms of time and energy consumption. The present invention discloses a process for implementation of mathematical techniques such as forward simulation, sensitivity analysis, and inversion to physical microstructure models for subsurface fluid simulation. This process not only offers accurate and reliable results, but also is cost effective.

Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a lab-on-a-chip, a method of manufacturing the lab-on-a-chip and a method of using the lab-on-a-chip for fluid flow analysis in physical systems through combination with computer modeling. The lab-on-a-chip includes cavities in a channel layer and a capping layer, preferably transparent, covering the cavities. Gates control two dimensional (2D) lattice structures acting as heaters, light sources and/or sensors in the cavities, or fluid channels. The gates and two dimensional (2D) lattice structures may be at the cavity bottoms or on the capping layer. Wiring connects the gates and the 2D lattice structures externally.