Abstract: A system can include a filter assembly with a filter and a substance in the filter assembly, and at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element which receives electromagnetic radiation from the substance. A method can include receiving electromagnetic radiation from a substance in a filter assembly, the electromagnetic radiation from the substance being received by at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element, and the receiving being performed while a filter is positioned in the filter assembly. A detector may receive electromagnetic radiation from the integrated computational element and produce an output correlated to a characteristic of the substance. A mitigation technique may be selected, based on the detector output.

Abstract: A system can include a filter assembly with a filter and a substance in the filter assembly, and at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element which receives electromagnetic radiation from the substance. A method can include receiving electromagnetic radiation from a substance in a filter assembly, the electromagnetic radiation from the substance being received by at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element, and the receiving being performed while a filter is positioned in the filter assembly. A detector may receive electromagnetic radiation from the integrated computational element and produce an output correlated to a characteristic of the substance. A mitigation technique may be selected, based on the detector output.

Abstract: A system can include a filter assembly with a filter and a substance in the filter assembly, and at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element which receives electromagnetic radiation from the substance. A method can include receiving electromagnetic radiation from a substance in a filter assembly, the electromagnetic radiation from the substance being received by at least one optical computing device having an integrated computational element, and the receiving being performed while a filter is positioned in the filter assembly. A detector may receive electromagnetic radiation from the integrated computational element and produce an output correlated to a characteristic of the substance. A mitigation technique may be selected, based on the detector output.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: Components, systems and methods for producing hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to porous membranes that comprise: (1) a plurality of pores with pore sizes of more than about 0.1 ?m in diameter; and (2) a plurality of hydrophilic molecules. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of separating organic compounds from a liquid sample by: (1) providing the porous membrane; and (2) flowing the liquid sample through the porous membrane in order to retain organic compounds on the porous membrane. Further aspects of the present invention pertain to systems for separating organic compounds from a liquid sample. Such systems comprises: (1) the porous membrane; and (2) a flowing unit that enables the liquid sample to flow through the porous membrane. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described porous membranes by: (1) coating a surface of a porous membrane containing 0.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to methods of detecting a contamination of an environment by a fracture fluid that comprises magnetic particles. In some embodiments, such methods include: (1) collecting a sample from the environment; and (2) measuring a magnetic susceptibility of the sample in order to detect the presence or absence of the magnetic particles. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of tracing fracture fluids in a mineral formation. In some embodiments, such methods include: (1) associating the fracture fluids with magnetic particles; (2) introducing the fracture fluids into the mineral formation; and (3) measuring a magnetic susceptibility of the fracture fluids. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to fracture fluids containing the aforementioned magnetic particles, the actual magnetic particles, and methods of making said magnetic particles.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: A transport of plasmonic particles through a mineral formation is analyzed by flowing a plasmonic particles solution through an immobile phase (e.g., a mineral formation), determining an absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution subsequent to flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase, comparing the determined absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution with an absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution determined previous to flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase, and determining an absorbance of the plasmonic particles to the immobile phase as a function of the comparison. The plasmonic particles solution may be produced by dissolving or suspending plasmonic particles in a mobile phase. Flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase may include injecting the plasmonic particles solution into the immobile phase, and then flushing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase.

Abstract: A transport of plasmonic particles through a mineral formation is analyzed by flowing a plasmonic particles solution through an immobile phase (e.g., a mineral formation), determining an absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution subsequent to flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase, comparing the determined absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution with an absorbance of the plasmonic particles solution determined previous to flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase, and determining an absorbance of the plasmonic particles to the immobile phase as a function of the comparison. The plasmonic particles solution may be produced by dissolving or suspending plasmonic particles in a mobile phase. Flowing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase may include injecting the plasmonic particles solution into the immobile phase, and then flushing the plasmonic particles solution through the immobile phase.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to porous membranes that comprise: (1) a plurality of pores with pore sizes of more than about 0.1 ?m in diameter; and (2) a plurality of hydrophilic molecules. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of separating organic compounds from a liquid sample by: (1) providing the porous membrane; and (2) flowing the liquid sample through the porous membrane in order to retain organic compounds on the porous membrane. Further aspects of the present invention pertain to systems for separating organic compounds from a liquid sample. Such systems comprises: (1) the porous membrane; and (2) a flowing unit that enables the liquid sample to flow through the porous membrane. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described porous membranes by: (1) coating a surface of a porous membrane containing 0.