Abstract: A downhole filter comprising includes an open cell foam; and nanoparticles disposed in the open cell foam and exposed within pores of the open cell foam. A method of preparing the downhole filter includes combining a polyisocyanate and polyol to form a polymer composition; introducing nanoparticles into the polymer composition; and foaming the polymer composition to produce the downhole filter comprising an open cell foam having nanoparticles exposed within pores of the open cell foam. The nanoparticles can be derivatized with functional groups.

Abstract: A method of forming a nano-coating on a substrate comprises: depositing a first layer on a surface of the substrate, the first layer comprising a polymeric composition; depositing a second layer on the surface of the first layer opposite the substrate, the second layer comprising nanographene derivatized with a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, lactones, aryl, functionalized polymeric, functionalized oligomeric groups, and combinations thereof; and repeating the foregoing steps such that multiple alternating layers are formed, wherein each successive occurrence of the first layer is deposited on a previously deposited occurrence of the second layer.

Abstract: A level shifter includes a latch having first and second branches, first and second outputs, first and second control switches in series between the respective branches and outputs, and a controller receiving first and second output signals and outputting first and second control signals to the first and second control switches for controlling activation thereof. In an initial state, the first output signal is in the first state, the first control switch is activated, the second output signal is in the second state, and the second control switch is deactivated. In a final state, the first output signal is in the second state, the first control switch is deactivated, the second output signal is in the first state, and the second control switch is activated. The controller changes the first and second control signals only after the first and second output signals reach the respective second and first states.

Abstract: An amphiphilic nanoparticle comprises a nanoparticle having a hydrophilic region comprising a hydrophilic functional group bonded to a first portion of a surface of the nanoparticle, and a hydrophobic region of a surface of the nanoparticle. A downhole fluid comprises the amphiphilic nanoparticle, and a method of controlling an oil spill using the downhole fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A delay-locked loop (DLL) has a fractional phase frequency (PF) detector that reduces false locking and harmonic locking. The PF detector has a trunk, an upper branch, a lower branch, and a logic module. A delay line provides the PF detector a set of fractional phase-delayed clock signals that are used to prime and/or activate corresponding flip-flops of the trunk, upper branch, and lower branch in a sequence. The use of flip-flops in the lower branch activated by different fractional phase-delayed clock signals avoids false locking and harmonic locking over a wider range of initial delay magnitudes than conventional DLLs.

Abstract: A method of growing carbonaceous particles comprises depositing carbon from a carbon source, onto a particle nucleus, the particle nucleus being a carbon-containing material, an inorganic material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and the carbon source comprising a saturated or unsaturated compound of C20 or less, the carbonaceous particles having a uniform particle size and particle size distribution. The method is useful for preparing polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) by a high-pressure, high temperature (HPHT) process.

Abstract: A system for high pressure proppant blending includes at least one high pressure pump coupled to a high pressure flow path, the high pressure flow path entering a wellhead. The system further includes a chamber storing a mixture of proppant and compressed gas. The system also includes a high pressure nozzle. An output of the high pressure nozzle is coupled to the high pressure flow path between the at least one high pressure pump and the wellhead. The chamber is coupled to an input of the high pressure nozzle.

Abstract: A level shifter includes a latch having first and second branches, first and second outputs, first and second control switches in series between the respective branches and outputs, and a controller receiving first and second output signals and outputting first and second control signals to the first and second control switches for controlling activation thereof. In an initial state, the first output signal is in the first state, the first control switch is activated, the second output signal is in the second state, and the second control switch is deactivated. In a final state, the first output signal is in the second state, the first control switch is deactivated, the second output signal is in the first state, and the second control switch is activated. The controller changes the first and second control signals only after the first and second output signals reach the respective second and first states.

Abstract: A process for conducting equilibrium-limited chemical reactions that produce water as a reaction product. Specifically, a process that uses a reactive chromatography unit (RCU) to improve the efficiency of equilibrium-limited reactions, such as a process for reacting glycol ether (GE) and carboxylic acid (CA) to form water and glycol ether ester (GEE). The process includes supplying GE and CA to the RCU, where one of either the CA or the GE is in a stoichiometric deficit relative to the other reactant. The reactant in the stoichiometric deficit reacts in the presence of the catalyst in the RCU to form a mixture of GEE and water. A raffinate is separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the GEE. An extract separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the water.

Abstract: Fracturing slurries are prepared on the fly using a solids pump to feed the solid such as a gel into a liquid stream of normally water for pumping downhole with a large capacity triplex pump. The solids pump is preferably a Posimetric® style which delivers the solid into the fluid pipeline in a manner that keeps fluid from backing into the solids hopper above the solids pump. A separate fluid tank is connected to a fluid pump to pressurize a suction line to a boost pump before reaching the triplex pump and pumping into the subterranean formation. The solids pump can deliver between the fluid and boost pumps in which case the solids go through the triplex pump or alternatively the solids can be delivered into the higher pressure discharge line of the triplex pump.

Abstract: A method for estimating elastic properties of a subsurface material having a bedding plane includes disposing a single sample of the subsurface material in a core holder, the core holder having (i) a first acoustic transducer set having a first acoustic source and a first acoustic receiver and (ii) a second acoustic transducer set having a second acoustic source and a second acoustic receiver. The method also includes performing at least five acoustic wave velocity measurements on the single sample that include compressional acoustic wave velocities and shear wave acoustic velocities with a certain direction of shear acoustic wave polarization using the first set of acoustic transducers and the second set of acoustic transducers, estimating, with a controller, the elastic properties using the at least five acoustic wave velocity measurements, and providing an output signal having the elastic properties to an output signal receiving device.

Abstract: A method of forming a polycrystalline diamond compact from_a substantially homogeneous suspension of nanodiamond particles and microdiamond particles is disclosed The method includes disposing a first functional group on a plurality of nanodiamond particles to form derivatized nanodiamond particles, and combining the derivatized nanodiamond particles with a plurality of microdiamond particles, metal solvent-catalyst particles and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous suspension of these particles in the solvent. A method of making an article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a superabrasive polycrystalline diamond compact by combining: a plurality of derivatized nanodiamond particles, a plurality of derivatized microdiamond particles having an average particle size greater than that of the derivatized nanodiamond particles, and a metal solvent-catalyst.

Abstract: A dissolvable tool includes a body having at least one stress riser configured to concentrate stress thereat to accelerate structural degradation of the body through chemical reaction under applied stress within a reactive environment.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.

Abstract: Magnetic materials, such as ferrofluids, are known to produce large amounts of heat per unit volume. Other magnetic materials include iron, iron oxide, iron carbide, iron nitride, cobalt-nickel alloy, iron-platinum alloy, cobalt-platinum alloy, iron-molybdenum alloy, iron-palladium alloy, cobalt ferrite, and combinations thereof. These magnetic materials may be absorbed onto a graphene-like component or may be encapsulated by a graphene-like component to give thermal particles. These thermal particles may in turn be suspended in a carrier fluid such as water and/or brine to give a heat transfer fluid that may be used for the dissipation of heat in downhole and subterranean environments, particularly for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, including, but not necessarily limited to, carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding and alternatives to steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). The magnetic materials may be excited by induction heating.

Abstract: Flow control devices for regulating fluid flow from a subterranean formation by utilizing materials containing hydrophilic surfaces in a flow path of formation fluids. The flow control device comprises a tubular body, a flow path, and a material having a hydrophilic surface disposed within the flow path to restrict the flow of water. Methods of making and systems utilizing the flow control devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material comprises forming a colloidal dispersion comprising solid particles and a carrier fluid. The colloidal dispersion is mixed with a mined, hydrocarbon-containing material to form an emulsion stabilized by the solid particles. At least one property of the emulsion is modified to destabilize the emulsion. Additional methods of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material, and a stabilized emulsion are also described.

Abstract: Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.

Abstract: A composite includes a substrate, a binder layer disposed on a surface of the substrate; and a nanofiller layer comprising nanographene and disposed on a surface of the binder layer opposite the substrate. In addition, a nano-coating layer for coating a substrate includes multiple alternating layers of the binder layer and the nanofiller layer. Articles coated with the nano-coating layer prepared from alternating layers of nanofiller layer and binder layer have improved barrier properties, and may be used in down-hole applications.

Abstract: A method of making a reconfigurable article is disclosed. The method includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of base material particles. The method also includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of removable material particles; and forming a base article from the base material comprising a plurality of removable material particles. A method of using a reconfigurable article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a base article, the base article comprising a base material and a removable material, wherein the base article comprises a downhole tool or component. The method also includes inserting the base article into a wellbore. The method further includes performing a first operation utilizing the base article; exposing the removable material of the base article to a wellbore condition that is configured to remove the removable material and form a modified article; and performing a second operation using the article.