Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing contaminants from soil and groundwater by extracting the contaminants and assisting the extraction by provision of an oxidant introduced prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface. Extractable contaminant can be extracted from the subsurface. The amount and/or distribution of contaminant in the subsurface can be characterized. The extracting of contaminant and the introducing of oxidant and surfactant can be coordinated to reduce contaminant to a target amount. A portion of the contaminant can be oxidizable.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid formulation for increasing flow, production, or recovery of oil and gas hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. Components including a peroxygen, surfactant, alkali metal chelate, and a cosolvent into a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation having a blockage or accumulation of material. Oxygen or carbon dioxide gas is generated by decomposition of the peroxygen which creates gas pressure in the formation. The formed gas pressure mobilizes, degrades, removes, releases, realigns or redistributes the material causing the blockage or accumulation physically. The aggregate pH of the components is less than about 10 or a concentration of alkali metal chelate is greater than about 0.2% and less than about 5% by weight of non-water components.

Abstract: Compositions of and methods of using a fluid formulation for increasing flow, production, and/or recovery of oil and gas hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for remediation of oil spills in a oil spill impacted water environment are described. The methods may further include degrading spilled oil by oxidation or bioremediation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions stabilized surfactant-oxidant mixtures, and methods of making and using them. For example, in some embodiments the present invention relates to adding a plant-derived surfactant to stabilize an oxidant in a liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making and using and compositions of metal nanoparticles formed by green chemistry synthetic techniques. For example, the present invention relates to metal nanoparticles formed with solutions of plant extracts and use of these metal nanoparticles in removing contaminants from soil and groundwater and other contaminated sites. In some embodiments, the invention comprises methods of making and using compositions of metal nanoparticles formed using green chemistry techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making and using and compositions of metal nanoparticles formed by green chemistry synthetic techniques. For example, the present invention relates to metal nanoparticles formed with solutions of plant extracts and use of these metal nanoparticles in removing contaminants from soil and groundwater and other contaminated sites. In some embodiments, the invention comprises methods of making and using compositions of metal nanoparticles formed using green chemistry techniques.

Abstract: Methods of decreasing the amount of one or more contaminants in contaminated soil comprise introducing polymer-coated nanoparticles into the contaminated soil, optionally with other reagents. The polymer-coated nanoparticles exhibit an enhanced ability to migrate through the soil and provide greater control of the rate of activation of other chemicals, such as oxidants, in the contaminated soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making and using and compositions of metal nanoparticles formed by green chemistry synthetic techniques. For example, the present invention relates to metal nanoparticles formed with solutions of fruit extracts and use of these metal nanoparticles in removing contaminants from soil and groundwater and other contaminated sites.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reduction of contaminants using manganese-based octahedral molecular sieves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making and using and compositions of metal nanoparticles formed by green chemistry synthetic techniques. For example, the present invention relates to metal nanoparticles formed with solutions of plant extracts and use of these metal nanoparticles in removing contaminants from soil and groundwater and other contaminated sites. In some embodiments, the invention comprises methods of making and using compositions of metal nanoparticles formed using green chemistry techniques.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing contaminants from soil and groundwater by extracting the contaminants and assisting the extraction by provision of an oxidant introduced prior to or simultaneously with a surfactant into the subsurface. Extractable contaminant can be extracted from the subsurface. The amount and/or distribution of contaminant in the subsurface can be characterized. The extracting of contaminant and the introducing of oxidant and surfactant can be coordinated to reduce contaminant to a target amount. A portion of the contaminant can be oxidizable.

Abstract: A system and a method for preventing use of unauthorized software contained at a remote location which is to be used with a device having stored information is disclosed. The device includes firmware having a hash code, and a hash function for operating on an initiation string. The device has a communication interface. A remote storage location has an initiation string. The communication interface of the device and the remote storage location are interconnected for transferring information such as the initiation string between the device and remote storage location. The result of the hash function operation on the initiation string is compared with the hash code. The communication interface is enabled when the result of the hash function operation on the initiation string and hash code contained in the firmware are the same. In the illustrated embodiment, the device is a color sensor having a sensor body. The sensor senses and stores information about the color of a selected object such as on an automobile.

Abstract: A method of producing spectral data corrected for background includes generating spectral data, ascertaining background and subtracting background points to produce the corrected data. To ascertain background the spectral data are masked initially at the spectral peak of interest, and a least squares curve is fitted to the masked data. A runs test is performed to detect whether the number of runs exceeds a selected significance level. If so, the data are further masked and a curve is refitted. These steps are iterated until no further significant number of runs is detected. Similar testing for outliers is then effected with similar masking, a final curve represents the background level.

Abstract: Iterative compensation of drift of peak positions of spectral lines is effected in a spectral monochromator including a grating, a detector of spectral fractions of a spectral band, a stepper motor for varying relative orientation of the grating and the detector, and a computer. Computer-defined spectral windows each encopasses a spectral band and has an initial spectral center. Each window is scanned to determine a peak spectral position. Calculation is made for determining a spectral position error of the peak position from the initial center for each corresponding window. A functional average of the offsets for the peaks is calculated as a linear function of window position, and a revised spectral center for each window is calculated as being equal to the initial center plus the functional average for the window position determined from the linear function. Each window is shifted correspondingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for standardizing spectral line intensities in a spectral monochromator separate an input beam into a sample spectral line characteristic of a sample element, a reference spectral line, a standard spectral line and a background spectral band. At a first point in time an intensity I.sub.A of the sample line, a first intensity I.sub.R1 of the reference line and a first intensity I.sub.B1 of the background band are measured. At a second point in time an intensity I.sub.S of the standard line, a second intensity I.sub.R2 of the reference line and a second intensity I.sub.B2 of the background band are measured. An intensity ratio IR defined by the formula ##EQU1## is computed wherein the intensity ratio IR represents a standardized intensity of the sample line compensated for source fluctuations.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a monochromator to compensate for mechanical imperfections in its diffraction grating and grating drive assembly employs a two stage interactive procedure which permits the use of small (0.2 nm) spectral regions for the identification of emission lines. An iterative, self-consistent, discrete Fourier transform is used for the determination of multiple positioning correction terms. When the Fourier calculations are completed, the results of the calibration procedure are presented by the system to the analyst for acceptance. If accepted, the positioning error of the primary calibration line is measured, stored and used by the system to maintain a zero centered distribution of positioning errors each time the monochromator is reinitialized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to optimize a characteristic of measured data in an adjustable instrument for chemical analysis. The characteristic is measured at a plurality of adjustment points about a start point. Through parabolic interpolation of the data a conjugate vector is formed and the best operating point thereon is selected. Then measurements of the characteristic are taken as a function of the adjustable parameters about the best point on the conjugate vector. These data are used in a parabolic interpolation to define a second conjugate vector. The best operating point on the second conjugate vector is the optimum point of the instrument.