Abstract: Disclosed is a sonic well tool for performing acoustic investigations of subsurface geological formations penetrated by a borehole. The well tool generally includes a longitudinally extending body for positioning in said borehole. The tool also includes a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic energy, and a receiver supported by the body for receiving acoustic energy. Finally, the tool includes an acoustic attenuation section positioned on the body between the transmitter and the receiver. This section includes one or more cavities defined by the body, inertial mass members positioned inside the cavities in a suitable manner to form a gap between the wall of the cavity and the inertial mass members, and an acoustical attenuation fluid in the gap. The method for attenuating sonic waves generally includes transmitting a sonic wave from the transmitter to the tool, passing the sonic wave through the acoustic attenuation section, and receiving attenuated wave at the receivers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for conversion in a container of reactive material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and lithium into its respective metal hydroxide. First the container is purged of essentially all oxygen with an essentially dry gas that is inert with respect to the reactive material. Next, a carrier gas is introduced into the container that is inert with respect to the reactive material. The humidity of the carrier gas, the temperatures of the reactive material, condensing surfaces inside the container, and the carrier gas are all suitable to allow water to condense out of the carrier gas once the carrier gas contacts the condensing surfaces and the reactive material. The condensed water will then react with the reactive material thereby forming the respective metal hydroxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of planarizing a diamond film which generally includes orifices in the surface. The method includes first polishing the diamond film surface to reduce the surface roughness. Next, a filler material is applied to the surface of the film to fill the orifices in the film. Finally, the film is polished to remove excess filler material and expose the diamond film surface. Also disclosed are planarized diamond films diamond substrate having a polished surface of both diamond and filler material and a variation in thickness of less than 8 percent.

Abstract: A by-product of corn is utilized in the drilling fluid while drilling boreholes to reduce friction and to reduce the normal adverse effects inherent in each drilling fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition useful in the processing of blood and cerebrospinal fluid to help maintain sample integrity for analytical testing. The composition generally includes a first enzyme inhibitor selected from the group of enzyme inhibitors consisting of inhibitors which allow substantially the function of metalo-peptidase while inhibiting at least one enzyme selected from the group of enzymes consisting of endopeptidase, exopeptidase and sulfhydryl-mediated proteases, and inhibitors which substantially inhibit the function of metalo-peptidase, wherein where the first enzyme inhibitor inhibits metalo-peptidase, the assaying composition further comprises a second enzyme inhibitor suitable to inhibit at least one enzyme selected from the group of enzymes consisting of endopeptidase, exopeptidase, metalo-peptidase and sulfhydryl-mediated proteases. Further disclosed is an apparatus which includes a tube containing the inhibitors into which the bodyfluids are placed.

Abstract: An additive to reduce fluid loss from drilling fluids is comprised of comminuted products from corn cobs or mixtures with comminuted rice products. Polymers to reduce fluid loss even lower and friction-reducing materials may be added to the plant materials.