Abstract: Fluid actuated chokes include an expandable material that expands due to an undesired fluid coming in contact with the choke. The choke includes one or more passageways through which desired fluids from a well flow unimpeded. The choke is disposed in a downhole tool as part of a downhole completion. When one or more undesired fluids enters a production stream flowing through the downhole completion and, thus, the downhole tool, and contacts the choke, the expandable material expands causing fluid flow through the passageway(s) to be restricted and, in some cases, completely closed off. Thus, the choke automatically detects and reacts, i.e., restricts fluid flow through the choke, when contacted by the undesired fluid(s).

Abstract: An in situ method deploy and/or plasticize a shape-memory material in order to change the material's physical dimensions and/or mechanical properties, including a method for deploying a shape-memory polymer having a deformed or compressed shape in an environment at a first temperature, the shape memory polymer having a first glass transition temperature which is greater than the first temperature. The method also includes decreasing the glass transition temperature of shape memory polymer from the first glass transition temperature to a second glass transition temperature which is less than or equal to the first temperature; and expanding the shape memory polymer to deploy the shape memory polymer in a deployed shape.

Abstract: A downhole sealant includes a composition that includes a polymer; an absorbent material; a primary crosslink network including primary bonds between chains of the polymer; and a secondary crosslink network which is transient. A method of regulating the swell rate of the downhole sealant includes disposing a downhole sealant comprising a polymer and an absorbent material in a borehole; maintaining a primary crosslink network of the polymer; and decomposing a secondary crosslink network of the absorbent material in response to a condition to regulate the swell rate of the downhole sealant.

Abstract: Fluid actuated chokes comprise an expandable material that expands due to an undesired fluid coming in contact with the choke. The choke includes one or more passageways through which desired fluids from a well flow unimpeded. The choke is disposed in a downhole tool as part of a downhole completion. When one or more undesired fluids enters a production stream flowing through the downhole completion and, thus, the downhole tool, and contacts the choke, the expandable material expands causing fluid flow through the passageway(s) to be restricted and, in some cases, completely closed off. Thus, the choke automatically detects and reacts, i.e., restricts fluid flow through the choke, when contacted by the undesired fluid(s).

Abstract: A flow control device and a method of controlling a flow, the flow control device including a flow path for a fluid therethrough and a material at least partially defining the flow path, the material operatively arranged with a surface energy less than that of the fluid for passively impeding an undesirable component of the fluid more than a desirable component of the fluid.

Abstract: A flow control device, including a flow path for a fluid therethrough; a geometry defining at least a portion of the flow path, the geometry operatively arranged to cause a pressure drop in the fluid thereacross; a material disposed along the flow path, the material having a surface energy less than that of an undesirable component of the fluid. A method of controlling inflow of an undesirable fluid including: receiving a fluid in a flow control device; and reducing an undesirable component of the fluid flowing out from the flow control device by directing the fluid along a flow path of the flow control device, the flow path at least partially defined by a geometry operatively arranged to cause a pressure drop in the fluid thereacross and at least partially defined by a material having a surface energy less than that of the undesirable component of the fluid.

Abstract: A method of preparing functionalized graphene, comprises treating graphene with an alkali metal in the presence of an electron transfer agent and coordinating solvent, and adding a functionalizing compound. The method further includes quenching unreacted alkali metal by addition of a protic medium, and isolating the functionalized graphene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel processes for the functionalization (derivatization) of carbon nanotubes and, as an extension, to fullerenes and other carbon surfaces. Generally, such processes involve reductive pathways. In some embodiments, carbon nanotubes are reacted with alkali metal and organic halides in anhydrous liquid ammonia. In other embodiments, polymers are grown from carbon nanotube sidewalls by reacting carbon nanotubes with alkali metal and monomer species in anhydrous liquid ammonia.