Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simultaneously analyzing at least two samples using a chromatography device comprising a chromatography column having an inlet and an outlet, and at least one detector placed at the outlet of the chromatography column, the method comprising steps of: injecting fractions of each independent sample at the inlet of the chromatography column, the fractions of each independent sample being injected according to a specific injection timing sequence derived from a pseudo-random binary sequence associated with said independent sample; recording a signal generated by said detector for a period of time at least equal to a duration of the longest of the specific injection timing sequences; cross-correlating the recorded signal and a derived correlation function, said derived correlation function being derived from the pseudo-random binary sequence associated with one of the independent samples, so as to obtain an individual correlogram signal specific to said independent sample; and

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simultaneously analyzing at least two samples using a chromatography device comprising a chromatography column having an inlet and an outlet, and at least one detector placed at the outlet of the chromatography column, the method comprising steps of: injecting fractions of each independent sample at the inlet of the chromatography column, the fractions of each independent sample being injected according to a specific injection timing sequence derived from a pseudo-random binary sequence associated with said independent sample; recording a signal generated by said detector for a period of time at least equal to a duration of the longest of the specific injection timing sequences; cross-correlating the recorded signal and a derived correlation function, said derived correlation function being derived from the pseudo-random binary sequence associated with one of the independent samples, so as to obtain an individual correlogram signal specific to said independent sample; and

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for nucleating bubbles in an oil-gas mixture, including introducing a sample comprising an oil-gas mixture into a chamber; and heating the sample with a heater until at least one bubble is thermally nucleated in the chamber. The bubble point (BP) pressure of the sample can be determined by detecting pressure at two points in a system, which includes the chamber and the heater, and by determining the behavior of the nucleated bubble as the pressure on the bubble is varied.

Abstract: A micro-structured surface for immersing in a multiphase fluid mixture comprises a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores. The wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all the phases of the multiphase fluid mixture. Alternatively, the wetting liquid phase is miscible with one of the phase of the multiphase fluid mixture.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for making optical measurements of a fluid at elevated pressures and temperatures are disclosed. A cell is designed for the optical spectroscopic measurements of fluids or gas using light from ultra violet (UV) to far infrared wavelengths, among other wavelengths. A cell is described that is well suited for applications using very small fluid volumes, on the order of micro liters, such as microfluidic systems. Some described embodiments are suited for very high pressure and temperature environments (for example, 20 kpsi or greater at 175 degree C. or greater). Such conditions, for example, may be found in oilfield downhole environments. Some embodiments provide are inexpensive, and make use of replaceable lenses that are used as a pressure barrier and for collimation of the optical beam path for spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: A micro-structured surface for immersing in a multiphase fluid mixture comprises a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores. The wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all the phases of the multiphase fluid mixture. Alternatively, the wetting liquid phase is miscible with one of the phase of the multiphase fluid mixture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for nucleating bubbles in an oil-gas mixture, including introducing a sample comprising an oil-gas mixture into a chamber; and heating the sample with a heater until at least one bubble is thermally nucleated in the chamber. The bubble point (BP) pressure of the sample can be determined by detecting pressure at two points in a system, which includes the chamber and the heater, and by determining the behavior of the nucleated bubble as the pressure on the bubble is varied.

Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for making optical measurements of a fluid at elevated pressures and temperatures are disclosed. A cell is designed for the optical spectroscopic measurements of fluids or gas using light from ultra violet (UV) to far infrared wavelengths, among other wavelengths. A cell is described that is well suited for applications using very small fluid volumes, on the order of micro liters, such as microfluidic systems. Some described embodiments are suited for very high pressure and temperature environments (for example, 20 kpsi or greater at 175 degree C. or greater). Such conditions, for example, may be found in oilfield downhole environments. Some embodiments provide are inexpensive, and make use of replaceable lenses that are used as a pressure barrier and for collimation of the optical beam path for spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The present invention recited a method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid within a fluid channel using a tracer element injection by an injection element and detected by a detection element at a location separate from the injection element location. The injection element and detection element of the present invention are in communication with a computational element, wherein the computation element is capable of measuring a parameter of a fluid in a fluid channel based upon time of flight data derived from the injection element and the detection element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing shear-induced alignment of nanostructures, such as spherical nanodomains, self-assembled nanodomains, and particles, in thin films, such as block copolymer (BCP) thin films. A silicon substrate is provided, and a thin film is formed on the substrate. A pad is then applied to the thin film, and optionally, a weight can be positioned on the pad. Optionally, a thin fluid layer can be formed between the pad and the thin film to transmit shear stress to the thin film. The thin film is annealed and the pad slid in a lateral direction with respect to the substrate to impart a shear stress to the thin film during annealing. The shear stress aligns the nanostructures in the thin film. After annealing and application of the shear stress, the pad is removed, and the nanostructures are uniformly aligned.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.