Abstract: Methods of making microcapsules and microcapsules comprising a core material and a shell material with substantially different dielectric constants and dissipation factors. Exposure to appropriate electromagnetic energy selectively (a) heats the core material with the higher dielectric constant and dissipation factor, directly or indirectly fusing the shell material and forming microcapsules, or (b) hardens polymerized shell material, which has a high dielectric constant and dissipation factor.
Abstract: An apparatus comprising multiple heating, cooling, and/or cleaning zones. The apparatus produces a jet flow of solvent/cleaning fluid onto an article to be cleaned without the need for a pump or compressor. The jet flow provides more effective contaminant removal. The multiple zones result in increased residence time for increased efficiency in separating the solubilized contaminant from the solvent/cleaning fluid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 28, 2002
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2004
Assignee:
Southwest Research Institute
Inventors:
Mary C. Marshall, John G. Franjione, Christopher J. Freitas, William T. Roberds, Gordon D. Pollard, Jill Blake
Abstract: A direct injection contacting apparatus for contacting a first fluid with a second fluid which facilitates heat and mass transfer operations.
Abstract: Methods for coating the interior surface of tubular structures having high aspect ratios and tubular structures produced by such methods. The interior surface of the tubular structure is coated by inducing a magnetic field having a given magnitude around a circumference along a length of the tubular structure, applying a bias at a given voltage to the tubular structure, and exposing the interior surface to a precursor material to deposit the precursor material onto the interior surface of the tubular structure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 11, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 20, 2004
Assignee:
Southwest Research Institute
Inventors:
Ronghua Wei, Christopher Rincon, James Arps
Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 2000
Date of Patent:
June 1, 2004
Assignees:
Southwest Research Insittute, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Inventors:
Stephen T. Wellinghoff, Hong Dixon, Henry R. Rawls, Barry K. Norling
Abstract: A process for treating a chromium coating and/or the surface of a chromium alloy to increase hardness, and/or to decrease coefficient of friction; chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction; and, components comprising chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction.
Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2004
Assignees:
Southwest Research Institute, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Inventors:
Stephen T. Wellinghoff, Hong Dixon, Henry R. Rawls, Barry K. Norling
Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2004
Assignee:
Southwest Research Institute
Inventors:
Stephen T. Wellinghoff, Hong Dixon, Henry R. Rawls, Barry K. Norling
Abstract: An apparatus and method for visually and continuously monitoring gaseous concentrations of electrophiles such as carbon dioxide. A coating composition comprising an organic binder, filler/pigment, an activator, and carbon dioxide sensitive color indicator interacts with a primed substrate to which it is applied for support. The coated primed substrate may then be used for estimation of carbon dioxide concentration by the detection of a substantially instantaneous and reversible color change of the coated primed substrate.
Abstract: A brine for use during drilling operations, preferably a completion brine, comprising an amount of a low molecular weight water-soluble organic compound effective to reduce the crystallization point of the brine. The low molecular weight water soluble organic compound can be a variety of compounds, with preferred compounds being ethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol bottoms, and combinations thereof. A method of lowering the crystallization point of the brine using a low molecular weight water soluble organic compound also is provided.
Abstract: Fuel cell electrodes comprising a minimal load of catalyst having maximum catalytic activity and a method of forming such fuel cell electrodes. The preferred method comprises vaporizing a catalyst, preferably platinum, in a vacuum to form a catalyst vapor. A catalytically effective amount of the catalyst vapor is deposited onto a carbon catalyst support on the fuel cell electrode. The electrode preferably is carbon cloth. The method reduces the amount of catalyst needed of a high performance fuel cell electrode to about 0.3 mg/cm2 or less, preferably to about 0.1 mg/cm2. The electrocatalytic layer formed comprises unique, rod-like structures.
Abstract: Hydroxalkylaminium polysulfides are used to provide cold stability to ammonium polysulfide solutions. Hydroxyalkylaminium sulfides or polysulfides also are used to solubilize unwanted sulfur. Preferred aminium ions are monohydroxyalkylaminium ions, preferably monoethanolaminium ions. When added to an aqueous stream comprising free cyanide ions (including HCN), the polysulfide solution reduces corrosion of metal equipment contacted by the stream by converting the free cyanide ions into thiocyanate ions.
Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating drill cuttings, preferably marine cuttings, preferably in situ, so that the cuttings can be discharged into the environment, preferably back into marine waters without causing oxygen depletion of marine sediment. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment emulsifies and then encapsulates free hydrocarbons in the marine cuttings.
Abstract: A method for selecting an effective removal agent and a method of removing drag reducer additive from liquid hydrocarbon fuels, preferably gasoline or jet fuel.
Abstract: An adherent antimicrobial coating and method of making same comprising hydrogenated amorphous carbon and a dispersion of antimicrobial metal ions adapted to maintain a therapeutically effective zone of inhibition.
Abstract: An apparatus is described which permits the lubricity of fuel compositions at or near temperatures and pressures experienced by compression ignition fuel injector components during operation in a running engine. The apparatus consists of means to apply a measured force between two surfaces and oscillate them at high frequency while wetted with a sample of the fuel composition heated to an operator selected temperature. Provision is made to permit operation at or near the flash point of the fuel compositions.
Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for inhibiting hydrogen permeation in metal refinery equipment comprising incorporating into a product stream handled by said equipment a polyamine amide of 3-hydrocarbyl thiopropionic acid in an amount sufficient to inhibit said hydrogen permeation. In a preferred embodiment, the polyamine amide of 3-hydrocarbyl thiopropionic acid is selected from the group consisting of propanamide, N-[2-[2-[3-(dodecenyl)-2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]ethyl]amino]ethyl]-3-[dodecylthio]-2-methyl and 15-thia-5,8,11-triazaheptacosanoic acid, 2-(dodecenyl)-13-methyl-4,12-dioxo, and combinations thereof.
Abstract: An amorphous carbon film, preferably disposed on and substantially filling the pores in a porous anodized aluminum outer surface, wherein the amorphous carbon film comprises as an integral component an effective amount of a lubricity-increasing agent, preferably sulfur.
Abstract: Blends of synthetic olefins for use as the continuous phase of fluids selected from the group consisting of drilling, drill-in, and completion fluids. The blends meet EPA discharge requirements while also permitting investigators to clearly discern the presence and quantity of biological markers in reservoir fluid samples—particularly pristane and phytane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2003
Assignee:
Baker Hughes Incorporated
Inventors:
Timothy Martin Beyer, Steven Kyle Watson
Abstract: An on-board fuel vapor recovery system draws vapors from a fuel tank, compresses the vapors, and then cools the compressed vapors to form a condensate liquid fuel which is stored in an auxiliary condensate tank for introduction to an engine for enhanced cold start operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2001
Date of Patent:
December 17, 2002
Assignee:
Southwest Research Institute
Inventors:
William K. Capshaw, John C. Hedrick, David W. Naegeli, Michael G. Ross