Abstract: An improved method and system for characterizing the compositional components of a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and analyzing fluid properties of the reservoir of interest based upon its compositional components.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean reservoir by drilling an injection well bore having an outlet in the reservoir and drilling a production well bore spaced apart from the injection well bore and having an inlet in the reservoir. A permeable zone having a first patterned web of channels radiating outwardly from the outlet of the injection well and connecting to a second patterned web of channels radiating outwardly from the inlet of the production well is formed in the reservoir. Heated fluid is passed from the outlet into the permeable zone to mobilize hydrocarbons in the subterranean reservoir so that the mobilized hydrocarbons flow toward the inlet. The permeable zone fans out from the wells to cover an extended area of the reservoir to enhance hydrocarbon recovery by heating hydrocarbons from an expanded area of a reservoir and gravity draining the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A cervical biopsy system for improving the quality and efficiency of cervical biopsies. The cervical biopsy system includes an elongated housing with a handle attached to one end, a punch attached to an opposite end of the housing, a retrieval blade movably positioned within the punch for severing a biopsy tissue, and a trigger member mechanically connected to the retrieval blade for manipulating the retrieval blade within the punch. The punch is inserted into the inner wall of the uterine cervix for cutting around a uniform piece of biopsy tissue. The retrieval blade is manipulated to sever the biopsy tissue from the uterine cervix and the user is able to withdraw the biopsy tissue for medical testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: A superconducting article has a matrix core containing a superconductor, a copper stabilizer layer disposed about the core, and an insulating layer surrounding the copper stabilizer layer. The insulating layer is a metallurgically bonded layer of a refractory metal selected from Nb, Ta, V, and Mo.