Abstract: A downhole monitoring system and method that includes a sensor system with a sensor array with a number of sensors and a hub. Data measured by the sensors is processed by the hub and wirelessly communicated to a smart node. The sensor system may be mounted in the annulus formed between a borehole wall and an exterior surface of a well casing. The sensors may be configured to monitor the formation for microseismic events generated during hydraulic fracturing. The fracture growth and propagation may be monitored using the data obtained by the sensors. The data may facilitate real time control of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a cylindrical housing. A magnet and an antenna may be positioned within the housing. An excluder may be positioned around the housing, and a thickness of the excluder may vary around the housing.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The disclosure generally relates to methods and kits for nucleic acid amplification of target nucleic acids of interest. The methods described herein promote the synthesis of the target nucleic acid (i.e., template nucleic acid) by reducing the production of undesirable primer-dimer structures and chimeric nucleic acid products during the amplification process by using novel modified primers.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a cylindrical housing. A magnet and an antenna may be positioned within the housing. An excluder may be positioned around the housing, and a thickness of the excluder may vary around the housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid are described herein. One such apparatus includes a chamber that contains the first fluid and the second fluid. The apparatus also includes a piston that is positioned within the chamber and that is movable within the chamber. The piston can move back and forth to mix the first fluid and the second fluid together. The apparatus further includes a restrictor that provides for controlled movement of the piston and thus protects the piston and other components of the apparatus during operation.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for improving component separations in chromatography through novel techniques. The improvements in separation is due primarily to the provision of differential acceleration of the components being separated. Various systems and methods for providing differential acceleration are described including: increasing the cross section of the column towards the column outlet, changing the thickness or other composition of stationary phase within the column, and providing a temperature and/or mobile phase velocity gradient along the column.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for improving component separations in chromatography through novel techniques. The improvements in separation is due primarily to the provision of differential acceleration of the components being separated. Various systems and methods for providing differential acceleration are described including: increasing the cross section of the column towards the column outlet, changing the thickness or other composition of stationary phase within the column, and providing a temperature and/or mobile phase velocity gradient along the column.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The disclosure generally relates to methods and kits for nucleic acid amplification of target nucleic acids of interest. The methods described herein promote the synthesis of the target nucleic acid (i.e., template nucleic acid) by reducing the production of undesirable primer-dimer structures and chimeric nucleic acid products during the amplification process by using novel modified primers.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: To produce a desired telemetry signal, the desired telemetry signal is first determined and then decomposed into two or more component signals. For each component signal, commands are sent to an individual modulator. The individual modulators each produce individual signals according to their received commands. The individual signals from each individual modulator are combined to produce the desired telemetry signal, or the individual signals from each individual modulator are allowed to combine to produce the desired telemetry signal. A telemetry system that produces such desired telemetry signals includes an uplink transmitter/receiver pair, a downlink transmitter/receiver pair, or both pairs, wherein each uplink transmitter and each downlink receiver is disposed in a wellbore.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer system initiates an application debugging process for an application that is to be debugged and maps runtime object elements of the application to both code elements and graphical elements. The computer system appends portions of software code to each runtime object element so that a runtime event is outputted indicating which corresponding graphical or code element is currently being processed. The computer system accesses the outputted runtime events to determine which graphical or code element is currently being processed and, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, displays the elements currently being debugged in a first view. The computer system, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, switches views from the first view to a second view without restarting the application debugging process for the application being debugged.

Abstract: The present invention generally recites a method, system and apparatus for fluid analysis and more specifically recites a method system and apparatus for multistage injection of a fluid to be analyzed into a fluid analysis instrument.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for improving component separations in chromatography through novel techniques. The improvements in separation is due primarily to the provision of differential acceleration of the components being separated. Various systems and methods for providing differential acceleration are described including: increasing the cross section of the column towards the column outlet, changing the thickness or other composition of stationary phase within the column, and providing a temperature and/or mobile phase velocity gradient along the column.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for high pressure chromatographic analysis. The described system includes a flowpath adapted to flow a mobile phase and the sample at high pressures, an injector adapted to inject the fluid sample into a flowpath, a separation column adapted to operate at high pressures for separating various components, a detector and a processor that calculates the amount of at least one component of the fluid sample. The system can operate a pressures above 20 atm or even 100 atm, and temperatures above about 100 degrees Celsius. The system can deployed in a wellbore in a subterranean rock formation, and include fluid collection system for obtaining the fluid sample downhole. The system can also be located close to a wellhead and includes a tap in fluid communication with a surface flowline carrying produced fluids and the injector.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis is described having: (a) a submersible housing having a fluid analysis means and a power supply to provide power to said system; and (b) a substrate for receiving a fluid sample, having embedded therein a fluid sample inlet, a reagent inlet, a fluid sample outlet, and a mixing region in fluid communication with the fluid sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the fluid sample outlet, and wherein the substrate includes a fluid drive means for moving the fluid sample through the substrate, and wherein the substrate interconnects with the housing. At least a portion of the fluid analysis means may be embedded in the substrate.

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.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer system initiates an application debugging process for an application that is to be debugged and maps runtime object elements of the application to both code elements and graphical elements. The computer system appends portions of software code to each runtime object element so that a runtime event is outputted indicating which corresponding graphical or code element is currently being processed. The computer system accesses the outputted runtime events to determine which graphical or code element is currently being processed and, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, displays the elements currently being debugged in a first view. The computer system, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, switches views from the first view to a second view without restarting the application debugging process for the application being debugged.

Abstract: A heat switch for remote self-contained gas chromatography is disclosed. The device mechanically separates a hot or cold reservoir from the chromatography column when heating or cooling is not needed. The column needs a cooling system to obtain initial temperatures below ambient. At other times the column needs to be heated to relatively high temperatures, during which time the cooling system is preferably detached. The heat switch allows for rapid temperature changes while minimizing the peak cooling power requirement.