Abstract: A method of quantifying the concentration of a protein of interest, or the concentration of a conformational state of the protein of interest, in a mixture, wherein the protein of interest or conformational state has an intrinsic fluorescence decay signature. The method comprises: addressing the mixture with one or more pulses of light, wherein the light has a wavelength in the 240-295 nm range, preferably in the 250-280 nm range, further preferably wherein the laser light has a wavelength of 266 nm. The method further comprises: taking a series of measurements of the fluorescence intensity of the mixture at a series of time points where the time interval between a fluorescence measurement and a preceding light pulse is recorded.

Abstract: Selective amplification of DNA in PCR exponentially increases the signal in molecular diagnostics for nucleic acids, but analogous techniques exist for signal enhancement in clinical tests for proteins or cells. Instead, the signal from affinity-based measurements of these biomolecules depends linearly on probe concentration. Substituting antibody-based probes tagged for fluorescent quantification with lasing detection probes would create a new platform for biomarker quantification based on optical rather than enzymatic amplification. Here, a viral laser is constructed which bridges synthetic biology and laser physics, and demonstrates viral-lasing probes for biosensing. At the transition to lasing, photon flux from the probes increases by five orders of magnitude and narrows spectral linewidth to below 5.0 nm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Perforating assemblies and perforating safety systems capable of being disposed in a wellbore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The perforating assemblies can include an isolation device that is capable of preventing a detonation train when the assemblies are in a first orientation and allowing a detonation train when the perforating assemblies are in a second orientation. The isolation device can be automatically reoriented or reconfigured upon a change in the orientation of the perforating assembly.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Perforating assemblies and perforating safety systems capable of being disposed in a wellbore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The perforating assemblies can include an isolation device that is capable of preventing a detonation train when the assemblies are in a first orientation and allowing a detonation train when the perforating assemblies are in a second orientation. The isolation device can be automatically reoriented or reconfigured upon a change in the orientation of the perforating assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Perforating assemblies and perforating safety systems capable of being disposed in a wellbore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The perforating assemblies can include an isolation device that is capable of preventing a denotation train when the assemblies are in a first orientation and allowing a denotation train when the perforating assemblies are in a second orientation. The isolation device can be automatically reoriented or reconfigured upon a change in the orientation of the perforating assembly.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: Perforating assemblies and perforating safety systems capable of being disposed in a wellbore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The perforating assemblies can include an isolation device that is capable of preventing a denotation train when the assemblies are in a first orientation and allowing a denotation train when the perforating assemblies are in a second orientation. The isolation device can be automatically reoriented or reconfigured upon a change in the orientation of the perforating assembly.

Abstract: In the field of garment manufacture there is a need for an improved manner of joining two stretchable fabric portions to one another, in a desired configuration, that produces an unobtrusive join of sufficient strength which is able to accommodate stretching of the fabric portions.

Abstract: A perforating safety system. A perforating safety system includes a detonation transfer interrupter with a device which decreases an axial separation between detonation transfer components after installation of the interrupter in the well. Another perforating safety system includes a perforating gun and firing head installed together in the well, and an interrupter having a device which increases a separation between detonation transfer components in the well to thereby prevent transfer of detonation from the firing head to the perforating gun. Yet another perforating safety system includes a firing head positioned at a distal end of a perforating assembly when installed in the well, and an interrupter having a device which decreases a separation between detonation transfer components after installation of the interrupter in the well.

Abstract: A perforating safety system. A perforating safety system includes a detonation transfer interrupter with a device which decreases an axial separation between detonation transfer components after installation of the interrupter in the well. Another perforating safety system includes a perforating gun and firing head installed together in the well, and an interrupter having a device which increases a separation between detonation transfer components in the well to thereby prevent transfer of detonation from the firing head to the perforating gun. Yet another perforating safety system includes a firing head positioned at a distal end of a perforating assembly when installed in the well, and an interrupter having a device which decreases a separation between detonation transfer components after installation of the interrupter in the well.

Abstract: A navigation system for a downhole tool comprises a first sensor operable within a well bore to sense a parameter, at least one additional sensor, each of the at least one additional sensors being operable within the well bore to sense a parameter, and a locator component operable to determine a location of the downhole tool within the well bore based on the sensed parameters. A method for determining a location of a downhole tool within a well bore comprises deploying the downhole tool into the well bore, sensing a first parameter within the well bore via the tool, sensing at least a second parameter within the well bore via the tool, and self-determining the location of the tool based on the sensed parameters without receiving communications from the surface.

Abstract: A method of servicing a well bore comprises deploying into the well bore a zonal isolation device operable to self-set at a sensed location, and self-setting the zonal isolation device to hold at the sensed location without receiving command communications from the surface, wherein the zonal isolation device is deployed along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. Another method of servicing comprises deploying into the well bore a tool operable to self-activate at one or more locations, and self-navigating the tool to determine the one or more locations without receiving communications from the surface, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force.

Abstract: An autonomous downhole tool for use in a well bore is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and the tool is self-operable to perform one or more functions at one or more locations within the well bore.. A method for operating a downhole tool within a well bore comprises deploying the tool along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and self-activating one or more functions of the tool, wherein the tool does not receive command communications from the surface.