Abstract: A swellable packer including a tubular member and a swellable element. The tubular member is disposable on a mandrel configured to be deployed into a wellbore. The swellable element is disposed around the tubular member, and has segments of different cross link densities, with the segments configured to provide a varying cross link density in the swelleable element along a thickness of the swellable element, an azimuth of the swellable element, or both.

Abstract: Solid material required at a subterranean location is supplied from the surface suspended in a carrier liquid and agglomerated below ground by means of a binding liquid. Agglomeration is achieved by arranging that the binding liquid and the particulate solid are similar to each other but opposite to the carrier liquid in hydrophilic/hydrophobic character. The solid and the binding liquid may both be hydrophobic while the carrier liquid is hydrophilic, or vice versa. The solid may be hydrophobically surface modified to render it hydrophobic. The binding liquid may be provided as a precursor which converts to the binding liquid below ground to trigger agglomeration after arrival at the subterranean location. The agglomerates may function as proppant heterogeneously placed in a fracture of a reservoir, or may serve to block an unwanted path of flow. The binding liquid may polymerise after agglomeration so as to stabilise and strengthen the agglomerates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an organic thin film transistor comprising a substrate, a gate electrode, an organic insulating layer, an organic active layer and source/drain electrodes, wherein the interface between the organic insulating layer and the organic active layer is of relief structure. According to the present invention, an organic thin film transistor of enhanced electric properties can be obtained regardless of the organic insulating materials used.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an organic thin film transistor comprising a substrate, a gate electrode, an organic insulating layer, an organic active layer and source/drain electrodes, wherein the interface between the organic insulating layer and the organic active layer is of relief structure. According to the present invention, an organic thin film transistor of enhanced electric properties can be obtained regardless of the organic insulating materials used.