Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes injecting into the subterranean formation a composition including carbon dioxide and at least one carbon-dioxide-soluble compound under conditions favorable to diffusion into and adsorption of the carbon-dioxide-soluble compound on the subterranean formation so that oil-wettability is decreased or water wettability or CO2-philicity is increased in at least a portion the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a material to achieve at least one of reducing surface wettability of the material or reducing fluid transport through the material includes exposing the material to a composition including a solution of a polymer portion and carbon dioxide for a period of time. The polymer portion includes at least one of a polyfluoroacrylate or a copolymer of a fluoroacrylate and a comonomer. A pressure of the composition is maintained above the cloud point of the polymer portion at a concentration thereof in the carbon dioxide for the period of time.

Abstract: A method of treating a material to achieve at least one of reducing surface wettability of the material or reducing fluid transport through the material includes exposing the material to a composition including a solution of a polymer portion and carbon dioxide for a period of time. The polymer portion includes at least one of a polyfluoroacrylate or a copolymer of a fluoroacrylate and a comonomer. A pressure of the composition is maintained above the cloud point of the polymer portion at a concentration thereof in the carbon dioxide for the period of time.

Abstract: A system for recovery of metals from solutions containing dissolved metals. The system includes an apparatus and method for placing supercritical carbon dioxide that contains an extractant in contact with the solution and agitating the two resulting phases. Once the metals are extracted by the extractant, they can be removed from the carbon dioxide phase by depressurization or by reduction by exposure to hydrogen. The extractant preferably comprises a metal binding group, a spacer group and a C02-philic group.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal surface, comprising: applying a solution comprising an amide thiol compound and a solvent to a metal surface, allowing the thiol compound to self assemble on the surface, and removing excess thiol compound from the surface. The amide thiol compound is preferably a fluoralkyl amide thiol and more preferably one having the general formula F(CF2)nCONH(CH2)nSH, where n and m are each 2-20. The solution can be sprayed onto the metal surface, or the metal surface can be dipped into the solution. The surface should be kept wet for a time period sufficient to allow the thiol molecules to self assemble on the metal surface.

Abstract: A method for increasing the viscosity of CO.sub.2 comprising the steps of: mixing semi-fluorinated alkane and liquid CO.sub.2 ; and venting CO.sub.2 vapor from the liquid CO.sub.2 until the liquid CO.sub.2 becomes supersaturated. A gel that comprises a semi-fluorinated alkane; and liquid CO.sub.2. The semi-fluorinated alkane is of the form (F.sub.3 C)--(CF.sub.2).sub.N-1-(CH.sub.2).sub.M-1 -(CH.sub.3).