Abstract: A surface of an article is modified by aluminizing an initial surface at a first temperature to form a first aluminized layer and a sublayer, removing at least a portion of the first aluminized layer, aluminizing the sublayer at a second temperature to form a second aluminized layer, and finally removing at least a portion of the second aluminized layer to form a processed surface. The second temperature is less than the first temperature and a roughness of the processed surface is less than the roughness of the initial surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting photons are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scintillator single crystal and an avalanche photodiode coupled to the scintillator single crystal. The scintillator single crystal is at a temperature greater than about 175° C. and at a shock level in a range from about 20 Grms to about 30 Grms. The scintillator single crystal includes a praseodymium doped composition selected from (LaxY1-x)2Si2O7:Pr, ABCl3-yXy:Pr, A2(Li,Na)LaCl6-yXy:Pr, or any combinations thereof. As used herein A is cesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, or a combination thereof, B is calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium, cadmium, zinc, or a combination thereof, and X is bromine, iodine, or a combination thereof. Further, (0<x<1), and (0<y<3).

Abstract: A surface of an article is modified by aluminizing an initial surface at a first temperature to form a first aluminized layer and a sublayer, removing at least a portion of the first aluminized layer, aluminizing the sublayer at a second temperature to form a second aluminized layer, and finally removing at least a portion of the second aluminized layer to form a processed surface. The second temperature is less than the first temperature and a roughness of the processed surface is less than the roughness of the initial surface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a surface exposable to a byproduct carbonaceous material formation environment and comprising a perovskite material having an ABO3 perovskite structure and being of formula AaBbO3-?, wherein 0.9<a?1.2; 0.9<b?1.2; ?0.5<?<0.

Abstract: A method for cracking hydrocarbon includes providing a feedstock comprising steam and hydrocarbon, and feeding the feedstock into a device having an inner surface accessible to the feedstock. The inner surface includes a compound of formula An+1BnO3n+1, wherein A includes at least one alkaline earth metal, B includes at least one transition metal, O is oxygen, and 1?n?20.

Abstract: A surface treatment method includes: contacting a substrate with a treatment material, the substrate comprising a metallic element, the treatment material comprising an alkaline earth metal element, an alkali metal element, or any combination thereof; and forming on the substrate a surface layer comprising a first oxide of the alkaline earth metal element, the alkali metal element, or any combination thereof and a second oxide of the metallic element. A device has: a substrate layer comprising a metallic element; and a surface layer comprising a first oxide of an alkaline earth metal element, an alkali metal element, or any combination thereof, and a second oxide of the metallic element.

Abstract: A method for cracking hydrocarbon includes providing a feedstock comprising steam and hydrocarbon, and feeding the feedstock into a device having an inner surface accessible to the feedstock. The inner surface includes a compound of formula An+1BnO3n+1, wherein A includes at least one alkaline earth metal, B includes at least one transition metal, O is oxygen, and 1?n?20.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting photons are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scintillator single crystal and an avalanche photodiode coupled to the scintillator single crystal. The scintillator single crystal is at a temperature greater than about 175° C. and at a shock level in a range from about 20 Grms to about 30 Grms. The scintillator single crystal includes a praseodymium doped composition selected from (LaxY1-x)2Si2O7:Pr, ABCl3-yXy:Pr, A2(Li, Na)LaCl6-yXy:Pr, or any combinations thereof. As used herein A is cesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, or a combination thereof, B is calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium, cadmium, zinc, or a combination thereof, and X is bromine, iodine, or a combination thereof. Further, (0<x<1), and (0<y<3).

Abstract: A composition useful in methods and apparatuses for inhibiting the build-up of byproduct carbonaceous material includes a perovskite material or a precursor therefor; and a yttrium doped ceria or a precursor therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus has a surface exposable to a byproduct carbonaceous material formation environment and comprising a perovskite material having an ABO3 perovskite structure and being of formula AaBbO3-?, wherein 0.9<a?1.2; 0.9<b<1.2; -0.5<6<0.

Abstract: A surface treatment method includes: contacting a substrate with a treatment material, the substrate comprising a metallic element, the treatment material comprising an alkaline earth metal element, an alkali metal element, or any combination thereof; and forming on the substrate a surface layer comprising a first oxide of the alkaline earth metal element, the alkali metal element, or any combination thereof and a second oxide of the metallic element. A device has: a substrate layer comprising a metallic element; and a surface layer comprising a first oxide of an alkaline earth metal element, an alkali metal element, or any combination thereof, and a second oxide of the metallic element.

Abstract: A logging system for imaging a subterranean formation that includes radiation sources that emit different energy levels of radiation into the formation. The radiation scatters from the formation and is sensed by a single sensor that is responsive to the different energy levels of radiation. The single sensor includes a crystal which includes cesium, lithium, yttrium, cerium, and chlorine. The radiation sources emit neutron rays and gamma rays.

Abstract: A scintillator is provided, comprising: a composition of formula (Lu1-x-y-zCexInyM1z)2SiO5, wherein M1 is Y, Sc, Gd, or a combination thereof; 0.00001<x<0.05; 0.000001<y<0.1; and 0<=z<0.999989. A detecting device comprising a crystalline structure of the above scintillator is also provided. A method of detecting energy with the above detecting device is provided, comprising: receiving radiation by the scintillator; and detecting photons with a photon detector coupled to the scintillator.

Abstract: A scintillator is provided, comprising: a composition of formula (Lu1-x-y-zCexInyM1z)2SiO5, wherein M1 is Y, Sc, Gd, or a combination thereof; 0.00001<x<0.05; 0.000001<y<0.1; and 0<=z<0.999989. A detecting device comprising a crystalline structure of the above scintillator is also provided. A method of detecting energy with the above detecting device is provided, comprising: receiving radiation by the scintillator; and detecting photons with a photon detector coupled to the scintillator.