Abstract: Described herein are hydrophobically-modified polysaccharides, their manufacture, and their use in microencapsulation, typically of water-insoluble active materials.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing a stimulated reservoir volume in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation in fluid communication with a wellbore, one method including drilling a plurality of lateral extensions at varying depths in the formation extending from a vertical wellbore using slickwater hydraulic fracturing fluid, the slickwater hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising at least one friction reducer; and injecting an exothermic reaction component into the plurality of lateral extensions to create a plurality of fractures extending outwardly from and between the plurality of lateral extensions to create a multilateral fracture network.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing a stimulated reservoir volume in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation in fluid communication with a wellbore, one method including drilling a plurality of lateral extensions at varying depths in the formation extending from a vertical wellbore using slickwater hydraulic fracturing fluid, the slickwater hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising at least one friction reducer; and injecting an exothermic reaction component into the plurality of lateral extensions to create a plurality of fractures extending outwardly from and between the plurality of lateral extensions to create a multilateral fracture network.

Abstract: A multistage plunger lift system includes an upper production tubing segment positioned in a wellbore uphole of a lower production tubing segment, with the upper segment having a greater diameter than the lower segment. A lower travelling plunger and an upper traveling plunger are sized and configured to fit and travel within the lower segment and the upper segment, respectively. A plunger lift tool is positioned in the upper segment between the upper plunger and the lower plunger, and includes within its main body a fluid passageway with a one-way valve. A plunger receptacle sleeve at the bottom end of the lift tool receives the lower plunger and includes one or more vents configured to allow fluids to flow around the lower plunger when the lower plunger is received within the plunger receptacle sleeve.

Abstract: A downhole pump includes a housing, a plunger that is disposed within the housing, and a rod that is secured to the plunger. The housing includes a magnet that is disposed at an uphole end of the housing. The plunger includes a traveling valve that is disposed at a downhole end of the plunger. The rod includes a conducting shaft that is attached to an uphole end of the plunger. The conducting shaft is configured to extend a magnetic field generated by the magnet when the conducting shaft is positioned adjacent the magnet to magnetically force the traveling valve into an open state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making silver nanostructures, comprising reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of a source of chloride or bromide ions, at least one copolymer, and at least one acid scavenger. The present invention is also directed to silver nanostructures made by the processes described herein.

Abstract: A polymer film containing a mixture of (a) at least one electrically conductive polymer, and (b) at least one organic salt having a melting point of greater than 100 C is made by forming a layer of a polymer composition that contains (a) a liquid carrier comprising water and at least one water miscible polar organic liquid, (b) the at least one electrically conductive polymer dissolved or dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (c) the at least one organic salt having a melting point of greater than 100 C dissolved in the liquid carrier, and (2) removing the liquid carrier from the layer. The polymer film is useful as a layer in a laminar electronic device.

Abstract: A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein.

Abstract: A polymer film that contains a mixture of (i) an electrically conductive polymer, and (ii) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures, is disclosed, as well as a polymer composition that contains (a) a liquid carrier, (b) an electrically conductive polymer dissolved or dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (c) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures dispersed in the liquid carrier, and a method for making polymer film, that includes the steps of: (1) forming a layer of a polymer composition that contains (a) a liquid carrier, (b) one or more electrically conductive polymers dissolved or dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (c) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (2) removing the liquid carrier from the layer.

Abstract: A polymer film, polymer gel, and polymer foam each contain an electrically conductive polymer and an ionic liquid and are each useful as a component of an electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making silver nanostructures, comprising reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of a source of chloride or bromide ions, at least one copolymer, and at least one acid scavenger. The present invention is also directed to silver nanostructures made by the processes described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer films, polymer gels, and polymer foams each containing electrically conductive polymers and salts comprising sulfonylimide anions. The polymer films, polymer gels, and polymer foams are each useful as components of electronic devices.

Abstract: A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein.

Abstract: A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein.

Abstract: A polymer film, polymer gel, and polymer foam each contain an electrically conductive polymer and an ionic liquid and are each useful as a component of an electronic device.

Abstract: A polymer film, polymer gel, and polymer foam each contain an electrically conductive polymer and an ionic liquid and are each useful as a component of an electronic device.

Abstract: A polymer film, polymer gel, and polymer foam each contain an electrically conductive polymer and an ionic liquid and are each useful as a component of an electronic device.

Abstract: A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein.

Abstract: A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein.

Abstract: A polymer film that contains a mixture of (i) an electrically conductive polymer, and (ii) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures, is disclosed, as well as a polymer composition that contains (a) a liquid carrier, (b) an electrically conductive polymer dissolved or dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (c) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures dispersed in the liquid carrier, and a method for making polymer film, that includes the steps of: (1) forming a layer of a polymer composition that contains (a) a liquid carrier, (b) one or more electrically conductive polymers dissolved or dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (c) anisotropic electrically conductive nanostructures dispersed in the liquid carrier, and (2) removing the liquid carrier from the layer.