Abstract: A system and method measures subterranean stress. The system and method includes a cement mixture that is mixed with water to set as a solid and a stress measuring-medium having piezospectroscopic properties that directly reveals stress in situ within the cement mixture in response to a photo stimulation. The stress measuring-medium combines with the cement mixture as a dry blend before being combined with water.

Abstract: A system and method measuring subterranean stress. The system and method includes a non-destructive sheath enveloping a tubular structure positioned in direct contact with a lateral subterranean rock formation for sensing expansive changes in the subterranean rock formation. A fiber optic is directly embedded in the non-destructive sheath positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the tubular structure. The fiber optic transmits light and thereafter receives light in proportion to the expansive changes in the subterranean rock formation. A spectrometer connected to the fiber optic remote from the non-destructive sheath. The spectrometer measures hydrostatic stress in the subterranean rock formation without estimating acoustoelastic effects or occluding the tubular structure.

Abstract: A catalyst for treating fuel combustion exhaust, the catalyst comprising the following components: (i) an oxide support comprising silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or combination of silicon and aluminum oxides; (ii) cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, or a combination of cerium and zirconium oxides in contact with said oxide support; and (iii) nanoparticles comprising elemental palladium or platinum in contact with at least component (ii), wherein said palladium or platinum is present in an amount of 0.1-4 wt. % by weight of the particles, and wherein surfaces of said nanoparticles of elemental palladium or palladium are exposed and accessible to said fuel combustion exhaust. Methods of producing and using the catalyst are also described.

Abstract: A system and method measuring subterranean stress. The system and method includes a non-destructive sheath enveloping a tubular structure positioned in direct contact with a lateral subterranean rock formation for sensing expansive changes in the subterranean rock formation. A fiber optic is directly embedded in the non-destructive sheath positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the tubular structure. The fiber optic transmits light and thereafter receives light in proportion to the expansive changes in the subterranean rock formation. A spectrometer connected to the fiber optic remote from the non-destructive sheath. The spectrometer measures hydrostatic stress in the subterranean rock formation without estimating acoustoelastic effects or occluding the tubular structure.

Abstract: A catalyst for treating fuel combustion exhaust, the catalyst comprising the following components: (i) an oxide support comprising silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or combination of silicon and aluminum oxides; (ii) cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, or a combination of cerium and zirconium oxides in contact with said oxide support; and (iii) nanoparticles comprising elemental palladium or platinum in contact with at least component (ii), wherein said palladium or platinum is present in an amount of 0.1-4 wt. % by weight of the particles, and wherein surfaces of said nanoparticles of elemental palladium or palladium are exposed and accessible to said fuel combustion exhaust. Methods of producing and using the catalyst are also described.

Abstract: A system and method measures subterranean stress. The system and method includes a cement mixture that is mixed with water to set as a solid and a stress measuring-medium having piezospectroscopic properties that directly reveals stress in situ within the cement mixture in response to a photo stimulation. The stress measuring-medium combines with the cement mixture as a dry blend before being combined with water.