Abstract: Methods for reducing oxygen content in an oxidized annealed metal nitride film comprising exposing the film to a plasma.

Abstract: Methods for reducing oxygen content in an oxidized annealed metal nitride film comprising exposing the film to a plasma.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydrogel compositions for biotechnology applications. Specifically, the invention provides hydrogels mimicking the ECM and uses thereof.

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required. A milling apparatus has been invented with milling apparatus for milling a tubular member and a nose cone releasably connected to the milling apparatus and releasably connectible to a diverter that directs the milling apparatus toward the tubular member. A nose cone for a milling apparatus has been invented with a body member, the body member having a mid portion, a top portion and a lower nose portion, and the top portion releasably securable to the milling apparatus and the lower nose portion releasably securable to a concave of a whipstock.

Abstract: A cutting tool has been invented for use in a wellbore to cut formation through which the wellbore extends or to cut items in the wellbore, the tool having, in one aspect, a body disposable at a desired location in the wellbore, at least one first blade pivotably mounted to the body at a first height on the body, at least one second blade pivotably mounted to the body at a second height on the body, the second height above the first height, the blades movable from a first position against the body to a second position extending out from the body for cutting, and the first blades shorter in length than the second blades.

Abstract: This invention relates to a permanent whipstock assembly which uses camming pivot arms to secure the whipstock at the desired location within a cased wellbore. Camming pivot arms are pivotally attached to the downhole end of a whipstock housing and are further attached to a slip pad. Intentionally induced relative movement of the slip pad and the whipstock housing causes the camming pivot arms to pivot in such a manner that slip pad housing 4 and slip pad 5 are forced away from each other and cammed into the cased borehole. The invention relates specifically to a device that is particularly adapted to be lowered through a small diameter and later to be activated and set in a much larger casing or hole diameter.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly is provided for lowering within a cased wellbore, cutting a window through a casing for drilling a sidetrack borehole, and retrieving with conventional fishing tools. The whipstock assembly includes two separate whipstocks having different tapers, and which are releasibly coupled for separately retrieving from the cased wellbore. A barrier member is provided to prevent a tapered face of one of the whipstocks from wedging debris between the whipstock and the casing.