Abstract: Geopolymeric compositions are presented that are useful for cementing subterranean wells. The compositions may contain an aluminosilicate source, a metal silicate, an alkali activator and a slurry density modifier that may contain uintaite, vitrified shale, petroleum coke or coal or combinations thereof. Methods for placing the geopolymeric compositions in subterranean wells are also presented.

Abstract: Geopolymer precursor compositions are presented that are useful for cementing a subterranean well, among other uses. The precursor compositions are dry mixtures that have an aluminosilicate source and an activator. The activator is an alkalinity source that is safe to store, transport, and blend with an aluminosilicate source. The activator may be a hydroxide-free activator. A geopolymer slurry is formed by adding water to the dry geopolymer precursor compositions. Such slurries have suitable characteristics for use in cementing applications that use pumpable mixtures.

Abstract: Described herein are aqueous composition(s) containing water; a viscoelastic surfactant; an acid; and a water-soluble acid retarding agent. Further described are methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: Methods herein may include injecting a cement slurry having an aqueous base fluid, a cement, and a plurality of cellulose nanofibers dispersed in the aqueous base fluid. The plurality of cellulose nanofibers may be present in the slurry in an amount effective to provide a slurry density of not higher than 15 lb/gal.

Abstract: A wafer manipulator includes a first arm connected to a base, a second arm connected to the base, a first pad connected to the first arm, a second pad connected to the second arm, a light transmitter connected to the wafer manipulator, and a light sensor connected to the wafer manipulator. The light sensor is configured to receive light transmitted from the light transmitter when the wafer is not properly in contact with the wafer. The light sensor is configured to not receive light transmitted from the light transmitter when the wafer is properly in contact with the wafer manipulator. The first pad has a horizontal friction and a vertical friction. The horizontal friction is at least ten times greater than the vertical friction. Multiple pads can be attached to the first arm and multiple pads can be attached to the second arm.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for on the fly mixing of retarded acidizing fluids containing acid, a water-soluble acid retarding agent (RA), and optionally a viscoelastic surfactant (VES), and for on the fly mixing of diversion fluids containing VES and RA in the same equipment. Also described are methods of controlling the preparation of such fluids based on feedback composition analyses.

Abstract: Methods herein may include injecting a cement slurry having an aqueous base fluid, a cement, and a plurality of cellulose nanofibers dispersed in the aqueous base fluid. The plurality of cellulose nanofibers may be present in the slurry in an amount effective to provide a slurry density of not higher than 15 lb/gal.

Abstract: A wafer manipulator includes a first arm connected to a base, a second arm connected to the base, a first pad connected to the first arm, a second pad connected to the second arm, a light transmitter connected to the wafer manipulator, and a light sensor connected to the wafer manipulator. The light sensor is configured to receive light transmitted from the light transmitter when the wafer is not properly in contact with the wafer. The light sensor is configured to not receive light transmitted from the light transmitter when the wafer is properly in contact with the wafer manipulator. The first pad has a horizontal friction and a vertical friction. The horizontal friction is at least ten times greater than the vertical friction. Multiple pads can be attached to the first arm and multiple pads can be attached to the second arm.

Abstract: Methods herein may include injecting a cement slurry having an aqueous base fluid, a cement, and a plurality of cellulose nanofibers dispersed in the aqueous base fluid. The plurality of cellulose nanofibers may be present in the slurry in an amount effective to provide a slurry density of not higher than 15 lb/gal.

Abstract: A substrate handling apparatus is provided. The substrate handling apparatus may include a forked structure with one or more support portions which are arranged to provide access to a back surface of a substrate. The substrate handling apparatus may also include a first active support element and a second active support element configured to couple the substrate handling apparatus to the back surface of the substrate. After being placed on the first active support element and the second active support element, the substrate may tilt or lean to create at least a third, passive point of contact along the forked structure. The creation of at least a third, passive point of contact may increase substrate handling and control capabilities with warped substrates.

Abstract: Described herein are aqueous composition(s) containing water; a viscoelastic surfactant; an acid; and a water-soluble acid retarding agent. Further described are methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for on the fly mixing of retarded acidizing fluids containing acid, a water-soluble acid retarding agent (RA), and optionally a viscoelastic surfactant (VES), and for on the fly mixing of diversion fluids containing VES and RA in the same equipment. Also described are methods of controlling the preparation of such fluids based on feedback composition analyses.

Abstract: Methods herein include treating a formation including pumping a fracturing fluid including proppant, non-degradable fibers, and a degradable component into fractures in the formation. Fracturing fluids herein include an aqueous base fluid, a proppant materials, non-degradable fibers, and a degradable component. Methods of treating a formation include alternately pumping a first fracturing fluid having proppant into a wellbore penetrating the formation and pumping a second fracturing fluid that is substantially proppant-free into the wellbore penetrating the formation, wherein at least one of the first fracturing fluid and the second fracturing fluid comprise a non-degradable fiber.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a composite particle, which includes proppant incorporated into or attached to a swellable material and/or swellable materials, into a subterranean formation via a wellbore; and increasing the buoyancy of the composite particle including proppant by either mixing it with a treatment fluid or mixing it with a treatment fluid and triggering the swellable material and/or swellable materials to swell.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a composite particle, which includes proppant incorporated into or attached to a swellable material and/or swellable materials, into a subterranean formation via a wellbore; and increasing the buoyancy of the composite particle including proppant by either mixing it with a treatment fluid or mixing it with a treatment fluid and triggering the swellable material and/or swellable materials to swell.

Abstract: Dependence between expression levels of different genes is identified through a multivariate method of statistical analysis of single color microarray gene expression data. An algorithm is applied to gene data to identify those genes that are likely to change their relationship with all other genes, and select such genes for further investigation. If genes change their relationship to other genes from phenotype to phenotype, they are treated as likely to change their relationship with one another.

Abstract: An amplification-like, unidirectional dependence between expression levels in gene pairs is identified through statistical analysis including a determination of whether there is a specified level of independence (or non-correlation) between X and Z, where X is a random variable representing the expression level of a first gene, Y is a random variable representing the expression level of a second gene, and Y=XZ where Z?1. The disclosed process provides an ability to identify genes that act as “amplifiers,” thereby facilitating appropriate priority assignment to candidate genes for further evaluation and experimentation.

Abstract: This invention relates to technology of carbographite materials, in particular, to production of oxidized graphite for making low foaming temperature foamed graphite, which is used for manufacturing flexible foil, fireproof materials, water-purification sorbents, materials for cleaning up spills of petroleum products, and so on. The method for producing oxidized low foaming temperature graphite comprises the stages of (a) preparing a mixture based on graphite particles and at least one aqueous solution of an acid; (b) activating the surface of said graphite particles to produce acid-containing functional groups on the surface of the particles; (c) treating the graphite particles to produce a graphite intercalation compound; (d) washing said compound with water; (e) drying said compound, and heat-treating it to produce foamed graphite, wherein stage (b) and (c) are carried out by electrochemical treatment at a quantity of electricity within 300 to 600 mA·hour/g of graphite.

Abstract: The present invention provides multivariate methods for identifying differentially expressed genes based on microarray expression data. An improved random search procedure involving certain probability distances is provided. The methods of this invention implement a successive elimination procedure to remove smaller subsets resulted from each step of the random search thereby establishing a larger set of differentially expressed genes.

Abstract: The present invention applies pattern recognition and multidimensional classification in statistical microarray data analysis. There are provided methods for identifying a subset of genes that are differentially expressed under a given biological state or at a given biological locale of interest by determining an advantageously large probability distance between the random vectors representing expression levels of the genes of interest. The invention also provides a cross-validated random search mechanism for a subset of genes based on various probability distances between two random vectors.