Abstract: The invention provides novel peptide binders for streptavidin (SA), Taq polymerase and several human proteins: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), thrombin, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF?), and Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA).

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure includes systems and methods for modeling a fracturing operation in a subsurface formation. The method includes generating an earth model of the subsurface formation, wherein the earth model is generated considering unstructured gridding; generating a fracture model of the subsurface formation based, at least in part, on the earth model of the subsurface formation, and wherein the fracture model is generated considering unstructured gridding; and performing a reservoir simulation of at least one reservoir in the subsurface formation based, at least in part, on the earth model and the fracture model, wherein the reservoir simulation is performed using unstructured gridding.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a drill bit is disclosed that includes selecting a drill bit configuration, obtaining a stress map for the drill bit configuration relating to a drilling operation, performing a mechanical test with an actual drill bit having the selected configuration, and selecting a location on a surface of the drill bit for installing a sensor thereat based on a location of low stress from the stress map and results of the mechanical test, and placing a sensor at the selected location.

Abstract: A drill pipe made according to one embodiment includes a number of serially connected tubulars with a communication device placed between the connecting ends of the tubulars, wherein the communication device provides a direct data communication link between the adjoining tubulars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of performing a wellbore operation. The apparatus includes a drill bit that has a cavity at an end thereof and a communication device placed in the cavity. The communication device includes a first section and a second section. An outer dimension of the second section is greater than an outer dimension of the first section. The second section includes a conduit configured to allow passage of a conductor from the drill bit to a location outside the drill bit so as to provide a direct connection of the conductor from the drill bit to an element outside the drill bit.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes a drill bit having a bit body that is susceptible to corrosion when the drill bit is utilized in wellbore, an anode placed at a selected location on the bit body, a cathode associated with the bit body and a power source configured to provide electrical power to the anode to complete an electrical circuit between the anode and the bit body, wherein the supply of the electrical power to the anode arrests corrosion of the bit body when the drill bit is in the wellbore.

Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a source configured to induce radiation into a formation during drilling of a wellbore and a sensor in the drill bit configured to detect radiation from the formation responsive to the radiation induced by the source. The drill bit may further include a circuit configured to process signals received from the sensor to estimate a property of the formation.

Abstract: A method of making an earth-boring rotary drill bit including a bit body configured to carry one or more cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation. The method includes providing a plurality of hard particles in a mold to define a particle precursor of the bit body. The method also includes infiltrating the particle precursor of the bit body with a molten matrix material comprising a shape memory alloy forming a hard particle-molten matrix material mixture, wherein the hard particles are randomly dispersed within the molten matrix material. The method further includes cooling the molten matrix material to solidify a matrix material and form the bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material having the plurality of hard particles randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting weight-on-bit/torque-on-bit sensor bias in a drill bit. The apparatus may include a bit adjustment device disposed at least partially in a cavity in a bit shank. The bit adjustment device includes electronics and sensors for estimating a weight-on-bit/torque-on-bit bias. The method includes adjusting the weight-on-bit/torque-on-bit sensor bias of a drill bit. The method may include adjusting force on a bit adjustment device to adjust weight-on-bit/torque-on-bit sensor bias. The method may also include securing the bit adjustment device within the cavity of the bit shank after the desired weight-on-bit/torque-on-bit sensor bias has been achieved.

Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment may include a bit body having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of gamma sensors placed in the bit body, at least two gamma ray sensors in the plurality of sensors are spaced-apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the bit body, wherein each such sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to detect gamma rays from the formation during drilling of the wellbore and to provide signals representative of the detected gamma rays, and a circuit configured to process at least partially the signals from each of the at least two gamma ray sensors for estimating an inclination of the bit body relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining formation density. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a bottomhole assembly having a drill bit attached to end thereof for drilling through a formation, a first sensor in the drill bit configured to provide first signals for determining a first density of the formation proximate to the drill, a second sensor distal from the first sensor configured to provide signals for determining density of a second density of the formation, and a processor configured to determine the formation density from the first density and the second density.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining formation density. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a bottomhole assembly having a drill bit attached to end thereof for drilling through a formation, a first sensor in the drill bit configured to provide first signals for determining a first density of the formation proximate to the drill, a second sensor distal from the first sensor configured to provide signals for determining density of a second density of the formation, and a processor configured to determine the formation density from the first density and the second density.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a drill bit is disclosed that includes selecting a drill bit configuration, obtaining a stress map for the drill bit configuration relating to a drilling operation, performing a mechanical test with an actual drill bit having the selected configuration, and selecting a location on a surface of the drill bit for installing a sensor thereat based on a location of low stress from the stress map and results of the mechanical test, and placing a sensor at the selected location.

Abstract: The disclosure, in one aspect, provides a method of drilling a wellbore that includes features of drilling the wellbore using a drilling assembly that includes a drill bit that further includes a weight sensor and a torque sensor, determining weight-on-bit using measurements from the weight sensor and torque-on-bit using measurement from the torque sensor during drilling of the wellbore, obtaining measurements for rotational speed of the drill bit and rate of penetration of the drill bit during drilling of the wellbore, determining mechanical specific energy of the bottomhole assembly using the determined weight-on-bit, torque-on-bit and obtained rotational speed of the drill bit and the obtained rate of penetration of the drill bit, and altering a drilling a parameter in response to the determined mechanical specific energy.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of determining a corrected weight-on-bit is provided, which method, in one embodiment, may include: drilling a wellbore with the drill bit; determining a weight-on-bit while drilling the wellbore; determining a pressure differential across an effective area of the drill bit while drilling the wellbore; and determining the corrected weight-on-bit from the determined weight-on-bit and the determined pressure differential.

Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes at least one of a weight sensor and a torque sensor configured to provide signals representative of the weight and torque on the drill bit when the drill bit is used for cutting into a formation. A circuit may be configured to process signals from the weight and torque sensors to provide an estimate of the weight and torque on the bit when the drill bit is used for cutting into the formation.

Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body includes one or more acoustic sensors that are configured to detect elastic waves when the drill bit is used for drilling a wellbore. The acoustic sensor may be configured to detect a sonic signature associated with a failure event. In further arrangements, the acoustic sensors may be configured to receive signals from a controlled acoustic source.

Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes at least a gamma ray sensor configured to provide signals representative of a presence and/or amount of a naturally occurring gamma ray source when the drill bit is used for cutting into a formation. A circuit may be configured to process signals from the gamma ray sensor to provide an estimate a parameter relating to the naturally occurring gamma ray source, which may used for purposes such as optimizing drilling parameters and geosteering.

Abstract: A bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; embedding at least one electrical circuit into the bit, the circuit including a temperature sensor; and providing a module to monitor the circuits and generate an indication of bit wear. The electrical circuit may experience a change in resistance or conductivity due to wear of the bit and/or changes in an earth formation adjacent the bit. The bit wear and/or formation changes may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: An earth-boring rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to carry one or more cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation, the bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material having a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material, the matrix material comprising a shape memory alloy. The matrix material comprises a metal alloy configured to undergo a reversible phase transformation between an austenitic phase and a martensitic phase. The matrix material may include an Ni-based alloy, Cu-based alloy, Co-based alloy, Fe-based alloy or Ti-based alloy.