Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator includes body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway includes a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway includes a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

Abstract: A system and method for the monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO2) for chemical contaminants. The carbon dioxide monitoring system includes a contaminant sensor that is configured to detect trace amounts of contaminants in CO2 that is pumped through it in real time. The contaminant sensor includes an interferometer configured to track the amount of contaminants.

Abstract: A system and method for the monitoring of contaminants in water. The water monitoring system includes a contaminant sensor that is configured to detect trace amounts of contaminant in the water that is pumped through it in real time. The real time contaminant sensor includes an interferometer configured to track the amount of contaminants that is pumped into the real time contaminant sensor.

Abstract: A method for pulping a fibrous lignocellulosic material includes a pretreatment step wherein the lignocellulosic material is reacted with a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of amino acids, monocarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids preferably having from two to six carbon atoms. The chelating agent reacts with calcium ions in the material to form stable, water-soluble calcium complexes so as to avoid scaling, and the treated material requires a significantly lower energy input to undergo refining using either a mechanical or thermomechanical pulping method.

Abstract: Filters for removing particulate and gaseous organic and inorganic materials from a fluid stream are disclosed. The filter may contain a polymer matrix and optional sequestering agents. Methods of making the filters are also disclosed. Methods of using the filters to remove one or more materials from a fluid stream, such as an air stream, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Filters for removing particulate and gaseous organic and inorganic materials from a fluid stream are disclosed. The filters may contain a polymer matrix and optional sequestering agents. Methods of making filters are also disclosed. Methods of using filters to remove one or more materials from a fluid stream, such as an air stream, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the diffusion rate of a given analyte into a polymer film using an optical waveguide interferometer is disclosed. A method of forming a filter media by selecting a polymer for the sorbent system of the filter media based on the diffusion rate of a given analyte into a given polymer as measured by an optical waveguide interferometer is further disclosed.

Abstract: Filters for removing particulate and gaseous organic and inorganic materials from a fluid stream are disclosed. The filter may contain a polymer matrix and optional sequestering agents. Methods of making the filters are also disclosed. Methods of using the filters to remove one or more materials from a fluid stream, such as an air stream, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting an acid or base in an environment, measuring the concentration of an acid or base in an environment, or measuring the pH of an environment, by contacting the environment containing the acid or the base with a sensor, wherein the sensor is composed of an index of refraction transducer having an outer surface; at least one compound having at least one functional group of a Lewis acid, a Lewis base, a Bronsted acid, a Bronsted base, or a combination thereof, wherein the compound is on or near the outer surface of the transducer, wherein the functional group can interact with the acid or base in the environment to induce a change in index of refraction on or near the outer surface of the transducer, with the provisos that (i) the compound does not undergo a color change when contacted with the acid or base, and (ii) when there are naturally occurring functional groups, no transducer attached compounds, and exactly one overlayer, then the overlayer is not poly(vinyl

Abstract: A Hall device is formed from a generally rectangular body of material exhibiting the Hall effect, with two excitation electrodes disposed along opposite edges of the device. Two Hall output voltage electrodes are disposed along one of the remaining edges of the main body and at least one additional output electrode is disposed on the edge of the main body opposite the first pair of electrodes. At least two of the output electrodes are offset from a centerline drawn through the electrical midpoint of the main body. By deliberately offsetting the Hall voltage output electrodes from the centerline the first and second order voltage offsets due to inhomogeneities of the Hall material and mask misalignment are eliminated or easily compensated.