Abstract: Water collected in the area of coal beds has strongly positive ?13CDIC (12‰ to 22‰) that is readily distinguished from the negative ?13C of most surface and ground water (?8‰ to ?11‰). Furthermore, the DIC concentrations in coproduced water samples are also high (more than 100 mg C/L) compared to the 20 to 50 mg C/L in ambient surface and ground water of the region. The distinctively high ?13C and DIC concentrations allow the identification of surface and ground water that have incorporated CBNG-coproduced water.

Abstract: A method for removing arsenite and arsenate from water is provided. The method comprises reacting the water with cupric oxide (CuO) particles for a predetermined time and filtering the reacted water. A system for removing arsenite and arsenate from liquids is also provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing oil recovery from reservoirs is described. The method includes partially recharging zones of pore space in a reservoir that has been previously waterflooded to extract oil, in order to obtain increased ultimate oil recovery by re-waterflooding the recharged zones. The recharging may be achieved by either reinjection of oil or by change in injection scheme, such as changing an oil producing well to a water injection well. This procedure of recharging with oil followed by waterflooding may be repeated. Application of the present method to increase recovery from reservoirs producing dry (water-free) oil to mature reservoirs which produce at high water-to-oil ratios is anticipated.

Abstract: Systems for enhanced in-situ or perhaps even ex-situ biogenic methane production from hydrocarbon-bearing formations (1) including coal seam, oil shale, coal, coal derivates and the like are presented in embodiments such as but not limited to: increasing and perhaps even selection of microbial populations (2), amending CBM water and other microbe-containing media, diminishing sulfate reduction competition, enhancing organic matter concentrations and generation of biogenic methane (10), universally treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and introducing amendments (3) to hydrocarbon-bearing formations.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor device for sequestering flue gas CO2 from a flue gas source is provided. The fluidized bed reactor device comprises an operating portion having a first end and a second end. A flue gas inlet is formed at the first end of the operating portion with the flue gas inlet receiving flue gas from the flue gas source. A flue gas outlet formed at the second end of the operating portion. A distributor plate is mounted within the operating portion adjacent the first end of the operating portion. A volume of fly ash is encased within the operating portion between the second end and the distributor plate with the flue gas traveling through the distributor plate and the fly ash creating reacted flue gas wherein the reacted flue gas exits the operating portion through the flue gas outlet.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the inventive technology relates to in-vessel generation of a material from a solution of interest as part of a processing and/or analysis operation. Preferred embodiments of the in-vessel material generation (e.g., in-vessel solid material generation) include precipitation; in certain embodiments, analysis and/or processing of the solution of interest may include dissolution of the material, perhaps as part of a successive dissolution protocol using solvents of increasing ability to dissolve. Applications include, but are by no means limited to estimation of a coking onset and solution (e.g., oil) fractionating.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed which has a significantly reduced internal resistance and which can be miniaturized. Two substrates are prepared, on with microchannels running along its facing surface and the other with nanochannels running along its facing surface. A silica-based binder is used to bind the substrates together with the microchannels running orthogonal to the nanochannels. The binder is removed from the microchannels and a fuel is introduced into at least one of the microchannels and an oxidant is introduced into at least one other of the microchannels.

Abstract: Embodiments include treatments for acid mine drainage generation sources (10 perhaps by injection of at least one substrate (11) and biologically constructing a protective biofilm (13) on acid mine drainage generation source materials (14). Further embodiments include treatments for degradation of contaminated water environments (17) with substrates such as returned milk and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments may include efficient fuel cell systems including an anode, a cathode, a lead-containing cathode catalyst, at least one proton exchange connector, and perhaps even an external circuit between the anode and the cathode. Other embodiments may include enhanced degradation of contaminants in environmental media such as perhaps petroleum hydrocarbon in groundwater with microbial fuel cells and the like.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology focuses on a new composition that comprises hexagonally close packed molybdenum carbide crystals, in addition to metallic nickel crystals and/or sodium, and having use as a catalyst in a Fischer-Tropsch process to produce alcohol. At least one embodiment of a related aspect of the inventive technology is a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to produce alcohols from carbon monoxide and hydrogen using the aforementioned composition to catalyze reactions producing higher alcohols.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the fluorescence of large multi-cellular organisms in a sample of liquid includes a pumping mechanism, a fluorescence measuring device, a method of analyzing the measurements, and optionally, a sorting mechanism. The pumping mechanism transfers large multi-cellular organisms from a reservoir through a fluorescence-measuring device causing minimum physical damage and/or stress. The pressure differential driving the organisms from a sample container/reservoir through the measuring device can be derived from gravity, air pressure, or liquid pressure, or some combination of the three. The fluorescence can be measured in a cytometer using a light detector or imager. Generally the detection element will include a filter, isolating the wavelength of fluorescent emission. The illumination may be provided by a laser or by an LED, combined with the use of dichroic mirrors to allow multiple wavelength simultaneous illumination.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for testing for pregnancy and non-pregnancy in ungulates and non-hoofed ruminates. The tests provided by this invention are useful during a time that coincides with the estrus cycle during which breeding occurs or the first estrus cycle after breeding of a non-pregnant animal. The tests provided by this invention are useful in estrus and ovulation synchronization programs, with pregnancy testing useful at a time allowing for resynchronization of non-pregnant animals within the first estrus cycle. The tests provided by this invention assay for the presence, absence, or level of a selected IFN-?-induced protein in a sample from a female animal. The tests of this invention are useful for testing cells, blood, plasma, serum, cells, milk, nasal secretions, ocular secretions, vaginal secretions, urine, and saliva samples. The tests provided by this invention are immunoassays.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Systems for enhanced in-situ or perhaps even ex-situ biogenic methane production from hydrocarbon-bearing formations (1) including coal seam, oil shale, coal, coal derivates and the like are presented in embodiments such as but not limited to: increasing and perhaps even selection of microbial populations (2), amending CBM water and other microbe-containing media, diminishing sulfate reduction competition, enhancing organic matter concentrations and generation of biogenic methane (10), universally treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and introducing amendments (3) to hydrocarbon-bearing formations.

Abstract: A system for determining parameters and compatibility of a substance such as an asphalt or other petroleum substance uses titration to highly accurately determine one or more flocculation occurrences and is especially applicable to the determination or use of Heithaus parameters and optimal mixing of various asphalt stocks. In a preferred embodiment, automated titration in an oxygen gas exclusive system and further using spectrophotometric analysis (2-8) of solution turbidity is presented. A reversible titration technique enabling in-situ titration measurement of various solution concentrations is also presented.

Abstract: A low-pressure multifunctional filter separates CO2 and other air pollutants from flue, coal, natural and other gas mixtures. The separation agent is a solid carbon-rich sorbent, such as coke, charcoal, coal or activated carbon, that captures CO2 and other air pollutants at lower temperatures and liberates them at higher temperatures. The sorbent is regenerated by heating with direct steam, hot CO2 or other source of thermal energy. The recovered CO2-rich product can be used for enhanced oil recovery, enhanced methane recovery, and subsequent storage in depleted oil and gas reservoirs.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention is a nanoparticle that contains an anticancer drug that is released in cancer cells when administered to a subject. The nanoparticles have a core including the anticancer drug and polymer chains that are soluble at the pH of the cancer cell. The core is surrounded by a layer of polymer chains that are insoluble at the pH of healthy tissue but soluble at the pH of the cancer interstitium. An outside layer is made of water-soluble polymer chains to shield the nanoparticle from RES recognition and give the nanoparticle a long circulation time in the bloodstream of the subject. The outside layer may also include folic acid moieties that bind folic acid receptors on the surface of the cancer cell.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for the real-time identification of one or more selected components of a target material. In one embodiment, an infrared spectrometer and a separate Raman spectrometer are coupled to exchange respective spectral information of the target material preferably normalized and presented in a single graph. In an alternative embodiment, both an infrared spectrometer and a Raman spectrometer are included in a single instrument and a common infrared light source is used by both spectrometers. In another embodiment, a vibrational spectrometer and a stoichiometric spectrometer are combined in a single instrument and are coupled to exchange respective spectral information of the target material and to compare the spectral information against a library of spectra to generate a real-time signal if a selected component is present in the target material.

Abstract: Generally, this invention relates to the development of field monitoring methodology for new substances and sensing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and terrorist substances. It also relates to a portable test kit which may be utilized to measure concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the field. Specifically it relates to systems for reliably field sensing the potential presence of such items while also distinguishing them from other elements potentially present. It also relates to overall systems and processes for sensing, reacting, and responding to an indicated presence of such substance, including modifications of existing halogenated sensors and arrayed sensing systems and methods.