Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.

Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: A responsive polymer network exhibiting the property of reversible gelation in response to a change in an environmental stimulus is provided. The aqueous solution of the network polymer, comprises about 0.01 to 20 wt % by weight of a responsive component and about 0.01 to 20 wt % by weight of a structural component capable of supporting and interacting with the responsive component. The aqueous composition exhibits at least a five-fold increase in viscosity upon gelation. The gelation may be triggered by a change in an environmental stimulus, such as temperature, pH and ionic strength.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for encapsulated polymeric gels swollen with nonaqueous reactive materials are provided. The methods include gel synthesis, swelling of a gel precursor with a first nonaqueous reactive material, and encapsulation of the swollen gel with a second nonaqueous reactive material. Gels precursors may be synthesized from crosslinking polymers, or alternatively, may be formed by crosslinking and polymerizing a monomer starting material. An accelerator may be utilized to facilitate swelling of the gel precursor with the first nonaqueous reactive material. Foams and composites may also be swollen with the first nonaqueous reactive material. The swollen gel is then contacted with a second nonaqueous reactive material such that an encapsulation layer is formed thereby. The encapsulated gels may be stored for subsequent use.

Abstract: A method of loading a drug into a crosslinked polymer network and protecting the drug from the effects of inactivation is described. The method includes the steps of contacting a biologically active solute (e.g. drug) with: (i) a gel network; (ii) a loading polymer that is somewhat immiscible with the gel; and (iii) a salt, under conditions sufficient for the biologically active solute to selectively partition into the gel and the salt and the loading polymer to be entrained in the gel. A drug delivery system including a polymer gel network and the drug to be delivered is also described. The system also includes a salt and/or a loading polymer. The system protects the drug from loss of activity. In one embodiment, the polymer gel network is capable of expanding or collapsing in response to a change in an environmental condition to which the gel is exposed, the expanding or collapsing sufficient to release the drug into an environment of use.

Abstract: A system for remotely inducing a phase transition in a gel is provided. The system includes a gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus, a seed material in contact with the gel, and generating a time-varying magnetic or a time-varying electric or electromagnetic field in the proximity of the gel to produce the environmental stimulus. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental stimulus is temperature.

Abstract: A method of loading a drug into a crosslinked polymer network and protecting the drug from the effects of inactivation is described. The method includes the steps of contacting of a biologically active solute (i.e., drug) with:(i) a gel network; (ii) a second protectant polymer that is somewhat immiscible with the gel; and (iii) a protectant salt, under conditions sufficient for the biologically active solute to selectively partition into the gel and the protectants to be entrained in the gel. Most preferably, the gel network is a crosslinked gel responsive to a change in an environmental condition to which the gel is exposed.

Abstract: A multi-layer film of improved adhesive strength and other properties is made by combining a layer of polyimide and one or more layers of fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of PTFE, thermally compatible TFE copolymers, blends thereof, PVF.sub.2, thermally compatible VF.sub.2 copolymers, blends thereof, PCTFE, thermally compatible CTFE copolymers, and blends thereof. It has been found that the peel adhesion between the polyimide layer and any fluoropolymer layer is greatly improved over known products. Laminated composites of improved adhesion and cohesion are made using such a multi-layer film and at least one fluoropolymer film. The fluoropolymer film is thermally weldable to the polyimide film.

Abstract: A multi-layer film of improved adhesive strength and other properties is made by combining a layer of polyimide and one or more layers of fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of PTFE, thermally compatible TFE copolymers, blends thereof, PVF.sub.2, thermally compatible VF.sub.2 copolymers, blends thereof, PCTFE, thermally compatible CTFE copolymers, and blends thereof. It has been found that the peel adhesion between the polyimide layer and any fluoropolymer layer is greatly improved over known products. Laminated composites of improved adhesion and cohesion are made using such a multi-layer film and at least one fluoropolymer film. The fluoropolymer film is thermally weldable to the polyimide film.